MODULE 3 Chapter 3

Short Cuts The Appaloosa Horse Thinking About the Appaloosa Art Activity---Horse Show

Module 3 Chapter 3

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The Appaloosa Horse

Photo courtesy of Appaloosa Horse Club, Moscow, Idaho http://www.appaloosa.com

Hi Students!

DID YOU KNOW THAT STUDENTS CAN INFLUENCE HISTORY? For instance, in 1927 the school children of the United States gave their pennies to save "Old Ironsides" from the scrap pile. Old Ironsides was a famous war ship during the War of 1812. More than a century later---when the ship was very, very old---some people were planning to tear it apart for salvage. (Today we call it "recycling.") By giving their pennies, the children of America helped save Old Ironsides for all Americans to see and enjoy.

Did you know that the sixth grade students of Eagle Elementary School (in Eagle, Idaho) helped make the Appaloosa horse Idaho's State Animal? These students helped convince the 1975 Idaho Legislature to pass the law that gave us our State Animal. In this way, Idaho students have helped remind people that the Appaloosa is an important part of Idaho's history.

THE APPALOOSA HORSE

The Appaloosa is a very interesting animal and a fine choice for Idaho's State Animal. Here are some little known facts about the Appaloosa:

1. Like snowflakes, no two Appaloosas are exactly alike. Each Appaloosa's coat is different. Each animal is an individual.

2. The Appaloosa has white around the iris of the eye---like the eyes of human beings.

3. Appaloosa hoofs are striped black and white.

4. It is hard to describe the coat of the Appaloosa because each pattern is different. Most Appaloosas have a spotted rump with a solid color over the rest of the body. Other Appaloosas are speckled all over.

5. The Appaloosa is an ancient breed of horse with a long, long history. Drawings of spotted horses have been found in the caves of early man in France---many thousands of years old! The Mongols of Asia had spotted horses, and the Chinese made porcelain statues of them. Spotted horses were found in Persian art of the fourteenth century.

How did these horses find their way to America? Some people believe they were brought from Spain to Mexico about the year 1600. The horses multiplied and spread northward. By 1790, the Nez Perce bred these horses and strengthened their fine qualities. These fine qualities include intelligence, stamina, and a quiet disposition.

Unfortunately, Appaloosa horses nearly disappeared after the Nez Perce War of 1877. After Chief Joseph surrendered at Bear Paw Mountain, the horses of his people were sold and scattered. Most were mated with other breeds, so the Appaloosa breed almost died out.

6. How was this famous breed saved? In 1938, the Appaloosa Horse Club was formed in Moscow, Idaho. This club set about to save and restore the Appaloosa breed. Scattered horses with Appaloosa markings were brought together and bred. Today Appaloosa horses make up the third largest breed registry in the world. This fine horse is no longer an endangered species.

7. How did the Appaloosa get its name? The Nez Perce used the Palouse country to pasture their horses. Because of this, white men called them Palouse horses. Later the name grew into Appaloosa.

8. The national headquarters for the Appaloosa breed in in Moscow, Idaho. It is called the Appaloosa Horse Club, and the address is 2720 Pullman Road
Moscow, ID 83843.

10. There is a monthly magazine, Appaloosa News, for lovers of the spotted horse. it is published by the Appaloosa Horse Club.

11. Governor Cecil D. Andrus sat on an Appaloosa while signing the law which made the Appaloosa horse become Idaho's State Animal.

THINKING ABOUT THE APPALOOSA

1. Look up the word remuda. After the Nez Perce War, spotted colts began appearing in remudas in the cattle country. What does this mean? Why did this happen?

2. Why do you think some people like the Appaloosa better than other breeds such as the Arabian or the Quarter Horse?

3. What qualities do you think Indians needed in their horses? Do people look for different qualities today? Explain your answer.

4. Today machines give us transportation and do most of our work. Yet many people keep horses to ride. Why do you think they do this?

ART ACTIVITY---HAVE YOUR OWN APPALOOSA HORSE SHOW

Each students should draw and color an Appaloosa. Think of a good name for your horse. You can find pictures and names in the Appaloosa News or on the Appaloosa Horse Club web site. Below are names that people have given to their Appaloosa horses:

Hope Boy	Apache Kola	Rise an' Shine
Who's in Front	Miss Kidwitha K	Art Museum
Mr. Moe	Someluckyladnamedsue	Front Yard Gal

After everyone has drawn and named a horse, you can have a horse show by putting all your pictures on the bulletin board.

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