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| This statue was excavated from a tomb at Astana, China which dates from the T'ang Dynasty (mid 8th century). Courtesy of the British Museum. |
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Heavenly Horses of China
In ancient China Appaloosas was referred to as 'the mysterious heavenly horses'. They have been revered, treasured, carefully bred and traded through the centuries.
Spotted horses in China appear around 206 B.C.. A statuette of such a horse was excavated from a tomb dated to the T'ang Dynasty at Astana, Turfan by Sir Aurel Stein in the eastern part of Sinkiang Province, China.
Figurines were also found in tombs of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 221 A.D.). The figurines probably dates to the seventh century A.D. It is one of the earliest representations of horses marked with the light hips and spots of the Appaloosa to be found in Asia. Close to the site of the tombs, in the caves of Tun-Huang, a large number of spotted horses appear in a magnificent series of murals and date to the T'ang Dynasty. Many Chinese paintings from long ago Dynasties can be found in museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of New York and the British Museum of London display the spotted horses of China.
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Western Europe
In western Europe the spotted horse appears periodically throughout history. During the 16th to 18th century some famous Lippizzaners often exibited spot and this characteristic is still periodically carried through to today. Lippizzaners often display mottled skin a strong Appaloosa characteristic. Spanish Andalusians often sported spotted coats and as the Spanish explorers entered North America the native populations often stole and traded these horses. Towards the 1700 most of the Indian populations were mounted on these distinctive spotted horses.
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| NEZ PERCE SCOUT by Bill Holm. A Nez Perce scout, mounted on an Appaloosa horse, surveys the back trail during the flight across Montana in 1877. |
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Nez Perce to Appaloosa
The Nez Perce Indians of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho were highly sophisticated horsemen and were highly regarded by other tribes. The Nez Perce carefully selected the horses they were to breed with. Only superior horses were allowed to produce offspring. One of the first white men to visit the was explorer and horseman, Meriwether Lewis. In his journal dated 15 February, 1806 he described the Appaloosa as an excellent race they were lofty, elegantly formed and durable.
The Nez Perce horses performed tasks according to their value. The most precious were used during buffalo hunts and war relying on their strength, speed, courage and intelligence. In addition to these qualities flashy markings were sought after. The spots and markings helped to camouflage the horse and rider.
The white settlers called the horses "Palouse" horses or "a Palouse horse" as the Nez Perce lived in Palouse country.
Eventually the name became Appallousy and finally, Appaloosa.
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