Appaloosa

The Appaloosa is an American horse breed best known for its colorful spotted coat pattern. Due to the impact of several horse breeds over the course of history, the breed has a wide variety of body forms. Genetically, each horse's color pattern is the product of different spotting patterns layered on top of a certain base coat color. Those who research the genetics of horse coat color are interested in the Appaloosa's color pattern since it and a number of other physical traits are connected to the leopard complex mutation (LP). Equine recurrent uveitis and congenital stationary night blindness, the latter of which has been connected to the leopard complex, are also conditions that are common in appaloosas.

Today, the Appaloosa is one of the most popular breeds in the United States; it was named the official state horse of Idaho in 1975. Although it is most recognized for being a stock horse used in a variety of western riding disciplines, this breed is adaptable and has representatives in many other equestrian sports. The Florida State Seminoles' mascot is an appaloosa, which has appeared in numerous films. Other horse breeds, such as the Pony of the Americas, the Nez Perce Horse, and various gaited horse types, have been impacted by Appaloosa bloodlines.