Walkaloosa
Encyclopedia
The Walkaloosa horse is a horse that performs an intermediate ambling gait
besides the trot. Simply stated, they are a gaited horse
with Appaloosa
patterning.
The gaited horse
with leopard
patterning has been documented in history for hundreds, even thousands of years. Then in 1938 when the animals who exhibited the leopard complex
(the genetic factor that causes the spotting of the Appaloosa Horse) were brought together to form the registry that became the Appaloosa Horse Club
, the gaited animals were lumped together with all leopard-patterned horses as the stock that became Registered Appaloosas.
Although the ApHC has years of crosses with many other styles of horses that became the breeds of Quarter Horse, Arabian and Thoroughbred, the breeders shied way from including the naturally gaited animals in their breeding program due to the dictates of the show ring. The Appaloosa Horse Club will, in fact, no longer accept for Registration, any foal with Appaloosa coloring and a parent from a "gaited" breed.
In spite of this exclusion, many full blooded, registered Appaloosas still perform a natural ambling
gait often referred to as the "Indian Shuffle". (See Appaloosa News, 6/78) However, the gene pool within the ApHC is rather slim and very few breeders strive to perpetuate this tendency.
The Walkaloosa Horse Association was formed in 1983 to preserve the gaited Appaloosa-patterned horses for future generations. The goal was a simple one: preserve, improve and perpetuate the natural smooth gait in a spotted patterned animal that can perform a smooth gait as the intermediate gait under saddle. There are many horses within the registry who are 3rd or 4th generation Registered Walkaloosa and new animals are being accepted as the books are still open by inspection. Just as all breed registries had to at some point gather the animals that met their criteria to acknowledge and certify as the type the Registry wishes to perpetuate, the WHA is continuing that process.
In order to qualify as a Walkaloosa, a horse must meet one of three criteria:
1. Be the progeny of a Registered Walkaloosa stallion and mare or
2. Show Appaloosa coloring and demonstrate an intermediate gait, other than a trot or
3. Be the product of verifiable Appaloosa and gaited horse blood.
The Walkaloosa is able to walk, perform an intermediate ambling
gait, and canter with equal ease. Walkaloosas stand at 13-16 hands high
but most fall between 14 and 15.2 hands high.
should be well defined but not pronounced.
Ambling
The term amble or ambling is used to describe a number of four-beat intermediate gaits of horses. All are faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter or gallop...
besides the trot. Simply stated, they are a gaited horse
Gaited horse
Gaited horses are horse breeds that have natural gaited tendencies, that is, the ability to perform one of the smooth to ride, intermediate speed four-beat horse gaits, collectively referred to as ambling gaits....
with Appaloosa
Appaloosa
The Appaloosa is a horse breed best known for its colorful leopard-spotted coat pattern. There is a wide range of body types within the breed, stemming from the influence of multiple breeds of horses throughout its history. Each horse's color pattern is genetically the result of various spotting...
patterning.
The gaited horse
Gaited horse
Gaited horses are horse breeds that have natural gaited tendencies, that is, the ability to perform one of the smooth to ride, intermediate speed four-beat horse gaits, collectively referred to as ambling gaits....
with leopard
Leopard complex
The leopard complex is a group of genetically-related coat patterns in horses. These patterns range from progressive increases in interspersed white hair similar to graying or roan to distinctive, Dalmatian-like leopard spots on a white coat. Secondary characteristics associated with the leopard...
patterning has been documented in history for hundreds, even thousands of years. Then in 1938 when the animals who exhibited the leopard complex
Leopard complex
The leopard complex is a group of genetically-related coat patterns in horses. These patterns range from progressive increases in interspersed white hair similar to graying or roan to distinctive, Dalmatian-like leopard spots on a white coat. Secondary characteristics associated with the leopard...
(the genetic factor that causes the spotting of the Appaloosa Horse) were brought together to form the registry that became the Appaloosa Horse Club
Appaloosa Horse Club
The Appaloosa Horse Club, located in Moscow, Idaho is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Appaloosa breed. The state of Idaho adopted the Appaloosa as its state horse in 1975. More than 630,000 Appaloosas have been registered with the Appaloosa Horse Club since its founding in 1938...
, the gaited animals were lumped together with all leopard-patterned horses as the stock that became Registered Appaloosas.
Although the ApHC has years of crosses with many other styles of horses that became the breeds of Quarter Horse, Arabian and Thoroughbred, the breeders shied way from including the naturally gaited animals in their breeding program due to the dictates of the show ring. The Appaloosa Horse Club will, in fact, no longer accept for Registration, any foal with Appaloosa coloring and a parent from a "gaited" breed.
In spite of this exclusion, many full blooded, registered Appaloosas still perform a natural ambling
Ambling
The term amble or ambling is used to describe a number of four-beat intermediate gaits of horses. All are faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter or gallop...
gait often referred to as the "Indian Shuffle". (See Appaloosa News, 6/78) However, the gene pool within the ApHC is rather slim and very few breeders strive to perpetuate this tendency.
The Walkaloosa Horse Association was formed in 1983 to preserve the gaited Appaloosa-patterned horses for future generations. The goal was a simple one: preserve, improve and perpetuate the natural smooth gait in a spotted patterned animal that can perform a smooth gait as the intermediate gait under saddle. There are many horses within the registry who are 3rd or 4th generation Registered Walkaloosa and new animals are being accepted as the books are still open by inspection. Just as all breed registries had to at some point gather the animals that met their criteria to acknowledge and certify as the type the Registry wishes to perpetuate, the WHA is continuing that process.
In order to qualify as a Walkaloosa, a horse must meet one of three criteria:
1. Be the progeny of a Registered Walkaloosa stallion and mare or
2. Show Appaloosa coloring and demonstrate an intermediate gait, other than a trot or
3. Be the product of verifiable Appaloosa and gaited horse blood.
The Walkaloosa is able to walk, perform an intermediate ambling
Ambling
The term amble or ambling is used to describe a number of four-beat intermediate gaits of horses. All are faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter or gallop...
gait, and canter with equal ease. Walkaloosas stand at 13-16 hands high
Hand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
but most fall between 14 and 15.2 hands high.
Conformation
Walkaloosas range from 13-16 hands high with 14-15.2 hands being desirable. The head may be of any profile except an extreme of those profiles and a Roman nose is undesirable. The neck conformation varies between gait type and sex. The throatlatch should be clean and allow for proper flexion and breathing. The topline should be level or slightly uphill, the back's length can vary but should have a well-muscled loin. The angle of the shoulder should allow freedom of movement and the withersWithers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
should be well defined but not pronounced.