Quarter Horses with Appaloosa color...
We hear many accounts of AQHA pedigreed horses that have, apparently, produced Appaloosa color in the past....
Because these horses were not eligible for AQHA registry, due to the long standing preference for "solid" color in the AQHA, these appaloosa colored horses were usually sold as grade un-registered stock, no records were kept and no connection to their AQHA pedigree was 'admitted' or recognized.
In earlier years, some of them made their way into the Appaloosa Registries. There are cases of horses which were originally registered with the AQHA and later re-registered into the ApHC. Most of these are well known to Appaloosa breeders ... horses like "Norell's Little Red" AQHA #113788 - shown to Res. Grand Champion Stallion title at the NWSS AQHA Show in Denver - and later re-registered with the ApHC (#T-988) after he roaned out & developed mottled skin. Some of his early foals were registered with the AQHA; ... and Alberta Doolin AQHA #0157837 and ApHC # T13705 - a 'gray' mare that, when bred to noted AQHA running stallion Johnny Bull, produced a well known Appaloosa "pop out" named Wild Hope.
But, here, we offer stories that are less well known, presented as 'un-verifiable' accounts from breeders and/or owners as based on their experiences as told to us. (Unverifiable meaning that no DNA evidence is available.)
These stories provide example of how appaloosa-style characteristics could go "un-noticed" and unreported in breeding horses and then suddenly "pop out" in louder noticeable color in a later generation.
| Lost Track Sue San - AQHA # 2946649 - born 1990 An interesting color development on an older AQHA mare. She started to 'roan' at about 12 years old and at 20 years old has spotting and increasing roan, with mottled skin, striped hooves and eye sclera. See her pedigree here. This late development of color is the most likely way that LP color could move through generations of AQHA horses without being detected. For further information on this AQHA mare, email her owner Jan at kyquarterhorse@aol.com
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| King Boots Cash - AQHA # 1788528 - born 1981 |
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| Par Supreme - AQHA # 1355973 - born 1978 Andrea Mattson (of HorsesOnly.com) raised this Quarter Horse stallion, sired by a full brother to the legendary Zan Parr Bar and out of the AQHA mare Skipy Skip. Par Supreme pedigree link HERE. Andrea tells us: "The skin mottling started when he was about 6 months old. As a yearling he had very loud mottling that could not be missed by anyone ... around the eyes, muzzle, under the tail and on his sheath. He had a few small snowflakes on his neck mostly, and several on the lower back and hips. Then it gradually began to fade away, including most of the white spots." The colt died of colic at about 3 years old, and never produced any offspring.
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The Bixby Horses History (Fillinic pedigree)
Appaloosa LP color - how it can exist in AQHA
Perspective Changes Everything
Color genetic research indicates that the LP (leopard complex) gene is necessary to produce an appaloosa type "spotted" pattern.
However, there must also be some type of PATN (pattern) gene present for the LP gene to modify, and give rise to a spotted pattern.
In the absence of a PATN gene, LP alone may be virtually un-noticeable, as a late roaning / small amount of mottled skin.
PATN genes alone (and there are many) without LP to "light them up", will not produce appaloosa type spotting.
Visit the Appaloosa Project website to learn more.
