Leopard
Base colour pure white with evenly distributed dark spots over the entire body from head to hoof. They are born with these spots and carry them throughout life.
Identifying the Appaloosa
Near Leopard
Born with leopard coloured body markings but with different coloured head and legs, sometimes neck. As it matures, the dark colouring often fades, the horse becoming a full leopard.
FewSpot Leopard
Has basic colour of white, sometimes with blue or red roan 'varnish marks' and just a few spots.
Near Fewspot
Very similar to the Fewspot Leopard but has noticably solid head,neck and legs to distinguish it from the true fewspot
Spotted Blanket
Dark forehand with white over loin & hips with round or egg shaped spots. Some/many of these have halos (ie roan edging the spots).
Spots may vary in diameter. Blankets maybe small or large patches on the rump or extending along the back to the withers
White Blanket or Snowcap Blanket
Dark forehand with a blanket without spots, or nearly void of spots. Like the spotted blanket, the blanket may be small or large patches on the rump or extend along the back to the withers
Snowflake
The base colour is dark with spots over the body.
The snowflake is usually born soild coloured and 'colours out' to this pattern, often becoming roan.
Frosted Hip (Frosted blanket)
Dark base colour with either frost or white spots on the loin and hips.
This pattern can develop with age, or they can be born with this colouring.
Marble (or LP Roan)
Base colour is usually red or blue roan. At times described as bay, brown or black roan.
Marbles usually have 'varnish' marks (darker patches.) on face, neck, shoulders or limbs
Solid (Plain coloured)
A percentage of Appaloosas are born completely solid and never 'colour out' or develop characteristics in maturity. Some people fail to understand that the 'Appaloosa' is a true breed like any other breed and not just a colour! There is much more to the appaloosa than just colour alone
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Parti-Coloured Skin (Mottled Skin) - This is one of the most tell-tale physical characteristics of the breed. This mottling of pink and black skin is always evident around the soft skin of the lips, muzzle, nostrils or eye. Some Appaloosas have a minimum of mottled skin. Others may have a lot.
White Sclera - This is sometimes called the 'human eye' as the white, which encircles the eye, is like a person's eye. Most other horses have a dark sclera.
Striped Hooves - Vertical stripes or laminations of the hoof. Not all solid Appaloosas will show these characteristics.
BRITISH APPALOOSA BREED STANDARD
The British Appaloosa is a horse suited to all disciplines and abilities, given its calm nature, readiness to please and willingness to learn.
The British Appaloosa is of (riding) horse type. Pony or Draft type is not accepted, nor is the blurring of the main breed by crossing to other spotted breeds.
The British Appaloosa is an established breed with identifiable pedigree back to 1976 and far beyond, previously embedded in the British Spotted Horse and Pony Society. It is uniquely distinguished by the colourful coat patterns and characteristics which are governed by the genetics of LP and PATN genes, combining with the distinct individuality of traceable pedigree.
Height
A minimum height of 14 hands, with an average of 15hh - 15.2hh. No maximum height limit but height and weight must always be well balanced and be in proportion.
Head
Well defined ‘horse-like’ head with a kind expressive eye that may or may not show Sclera
Limbs
Sufficient quality bone in proportion to the height and size of body. Legs should be clear of superfluous hair.
Front - Not back at the knee or tied in below the knee. Pasterns should be strong, sloping, not too long and blend smoothly with no change of angle into the hooves to the ground. When viewed from the front, toes should point forward.
Hind - Should not be cow-hocked or wide apart at the hocks. An imaginary vertical line drawn from the point of the buttock to the ground should touch the hock and the back of the fetlock joint. When viewed from behind the hooves should point forward and the hocks parallel.
Feet - Strong, hardy, sound feet of equal size (pairs) and in proportion to the horse, not flat or boxy in shape. Feet can be white, striped or solid coloured.
Movement - Straight, Free-flowing Movement from the shoulder to allow forward extension of the forelimbs. Knee action of any kind is not characteristic of the breed
Colour – The complex individuality of the breed is its crowning glory. Acceptable as a solid colour by pedigree but the diverse coat pattern can vary from minimal or extreme; Leopard, Near Leopard, Fewspot, Near Fewspot, Blanket with or without spots, Snowflake, Frosted laced hip, Marble or LP Roan with Varnish
Characteristics – Mottled or part-coloured skin, White Sclera (often referred to as the human eye), Striped or Striated hooves. Manes and tails can range from short and sparse to long and full.
Appaloosa may or may not display some or all of the options
Unacceptable Breeding - Horses of any Draft or Pony type and/or breeding are not eligible, neither are those with Grey, Paint (Tobiano)(Sabino)(Pintaloosa) markings, or the progeny of Albinos. However, animals with misplaced white markings may be considered, providing that they meet pedigree requirements.
Being a dedicated and individual breed and not just a colour, it is not acceptable to blur the breed by crossing to animals from any other spotted breed
Selection objectives
To breed British Appaloosas with conformation, movement and temperament that conform to the breed standard, which will make good quality, sound and versatile horses.