AraAppaloosa

The AraAppaloosa, sometimes called the Araloosa, is primarily a riding horse and that is used for leisure activities. A common horse breed, it is especially populous in its place of origin, the United States. 

Physical Characteristics

As a cross between Arab and Appaloosa horses, the AraAppaloosa is a beautiful breed: elegant, well-proportioned, energetic, and resilient. Similar to the beautiful Arab horse it is related to, the AraAppaloosa has been bestowed with bold colors, and interesting coat patterns from the Appaloosa side. Furthermore, it measures in at 14 to 15 hands high (56–60 inches, 142–152 centimeters). It typically has a refined head like its Arab parentage. 

Personality and Temperament

The AraAppaloosa is a proud breed with a haughty, royal bearing. While intelligent, it may be stubborn. However, it usually exhibits good temperament after it has been properly trained. It also has a high endurance, like the Arabian. 

History and Background

This horse is almost exclusively bred by the AraAppaloosa and Foundation Breeder’s International (AAFBI), an organization that believes it alone has the original breed of Appaloosa horses. However, as its name suggests, the breed is a result of crossing the Arab horse with an Appaloosa.

The dispute about what constitutes a true Appaloosa came about because the bloodline of these horses became so muddled through the years of interbreeding. The original American Appaloosa, which the Nez Perce Indians bred and reared, became quite scarce. In an effort to preserve the original Appaloosa stock, the founder of the Appaloosa Horse Club decided to study the breed and try to recreate the original through the infusion of the Arab blood with high-quality Appaloosas. The result was the AraAppaloosa, a fine breed that has all the good qualities of its ancestors.

Health and Care

If there is light coloring around the eyes, these horses can be more susceptible to ocular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Arabians can be prone to equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis, so these offspring may be as well. It is important to keep these horses in a proper body condition and not overfeed them to help prevent these metabolic issues.

Featured Image: iStock.com/catnap72