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One of the earliest northern tribes to acquire
horses (circa 1700-1706) was the Nez Perce,
who credit the Shoshoni and Comanche traders
with providing these first mounts.
The Nez Perce became the first to selectively
breed horses for par ticular traits and tasks;
gelding those of inferior traits. They bred horses
specifically for war, hunting, or racing; thus the
Nez Perce traditional war-horse was created: the
Appaloosa.
The canoe all but disappeared in Nez Perce
camps, as noted by Lewis and Clark in 1806.
When white settlers came to the Northwest area,
they called the spotted horses "Palouse horses"
or "a Palouse horse" after the Palouse River
Valley of Washington. Eventually the name was
shortened and slurred to"Appaloosey" and
eventually called Appaloosa.
The superior speed and endurance of these
spotted horses became legendary. They were in
great demand by distinguished warriors and
fetched 2-3 times the price of any other horse.
Besides their handsome markings, they were
heavier and larger than the average Indian pony.
Their sure-footed grace and endurance made
them perfect mounts for the Plateau country,
whether they travelled across treeless plains or
through heavily-timbered mountain terrain. The
Appaloosa is as distinctive and desirable today
as it was by their originators, the Nez Perce.
They are forever linked.
horses (circa 1700-1706) was the Nez Perce,
who credit the Shoshoni and Comanche traders
with providing these first mounts.
The Nez Perce became the first to selectively
breed horses for par ticular traits and tasks;
gelding those of inferior traits. They bred horses
specifically for war, hunting, or racing; thus the
Nez Perce traditional war-horse was created: the
Appaloosa.
The canoe all but disappeared in Nez Perce
camps, as noted by Lewis and Clark in 1806.
When white settlers came to the Northwest area,
they called the spotted horses "Palouse horses"
or "a Palouse horse" after the Palouse River
Valley of Washington. Eventually the name was
shortened and slurred to"Appaloosey" and
eventually called Appaloosa.
The superior speed and endurance of these
spotted horses became legendary. They were in
great demand by distinguished warriors and
fetched 2-3 times the price of any other horse.
Besides their handsome markings, they were
heavier and larger than the average Indian pony.
Their sure-footed grace and endurance made
them perfect mounts for the Plateau country,
whether they travelled across treeless plains or
through heavily-timbered mountain terrain. The
Appaloosa is as distinctive and desirable today
as it was by their originators, the Nez Perce.
They are forever linked.
