How to Identify an Appaloosa Horse

Identifying an Appaloosa Horse

• Step 1:
  Although you might think it easy to identify an Appaloosa horse by looking for its' distinctive spotted coat pattern, there are other characteristics that are distinctive to the breed. You must educate yourself on these characteristics in order to make a clear and accurate identification of an Appaloosa.
• Step 2:
  The first thing to look for is mottled or parti-colored skin. This is unique to the breed. And it is everywhere, not just in one area, but all over the horse. Look on its' nose, its genitalia, and around the eyes. These are all areas in which the skin will show under the coat, and the skin should have a blotchy, multi-colored look.
• Step 3:
  The second thing to look for is white sclera around the horse's eyes. The sclera is the area around the iris. In humans, this would be called the "white of the eye". In the Appaloosa horse, the white of the eye should be present at all times, not just when the horse is rolling his eye or if the eyelid is lifted. The sclera should be clearly visible at all times.
• Step 4:
  Striped hooves are another characteristic of the Appaloosa. The stripes will be very clear, and vertical. It is important to note that this is not a clearly defined characteristic, as other breeds can have stripes - be it from injury or pigment. But in Appaloosa's, you will see this paired with the above traits.
• Step 5:
  Finally, you can look for those spots! An Appaloosa can have spots just in some areas of their body, such as on their hips and loin; shoulders and withers; back and withers and hip; or they can have it scattered all over their body. Some rare Appaloosa's have what is called the "Leopard Pattern", which is where the spots are large and completely cover the body.