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Why do a lot of people hate Appaloosas? Curious...

77K views 260 replies 183 participants last post by  MissingStar 
#1 ·
I don't understand why these terms are so commonly used when talking about Appys:

"small or pink eyes"

"weird patterns"

"plain ugly"

I take a lot of interest in Appaloosas. Almost EVERY horse I have the oppurtunity to have was an Appy. I see nothing ugly about them. Like Blu for example, people say he looks like an alien. :(

I see nothing wrong with horses with patterns. Also, Appys do not have small eyes. They just show the whites like humans do.

Sure people say paints and pintos are beautiful but some have pink eyes too....



 
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#219 ·
I try not to buy or judge a horse by its color, alone. Although, that isn't always easy as I know I would probably buy a dapple grey from a door to door salesman if it had the right coat color.

Anyway, my AppyX mare is often "mistaken" for the opposite of what she is - dependable and sweet. She has harmless antics..as do many other horses. I have wondered if she were a solid color and didn't have the white sclera, would she ever be/have been misjudged? I originally bought and trained her for my daughter, I certianly would not put my child on a "scary" horse. From my experience, an appy (or appyX) can do everything perfectly and then some, but if there is going to be any comments relating to "temperment"...it won't be directed at the solid horses that aren't as able or responsive - but what? Don't "look" like they might do "something"? Sorry for the rant, I just hold it in when this happens and say nothing...but then I have a long conversation w the wall about what I could have said. It makes me want to join an "appy power" group. ;)

I hope you get your appy Fly!!!
 
#220 ·
I absolutely love Appies.

Like others have said, every breed has its flaws (in this case appearance) but all of them are different.

BlueSpark's Appies are beautiful!

I can't get enough of Appaloosas. There are some that are rather unattractive, etc. but I mean...My filly's yearling pictures were pretty...Ugly...Conformation wise she looked like a noodle on steroids. Shes better now and more filled out. I've even seen Gypsies and Friesians that are horribly ugly. And those are considered one of the most beautiful breeds.
 
#221 ·
SQUEEZE MY APPY

I use to not like appaloosa's, mostly because of their & molten features but alot of paints have it too, I cant stand a paint with a white face without the masskara around the eyes, eww, really I just dont like the pink look, its creepy.
Some appaloosa's have a seriously ugly pattern, like the roaning out, smudged look, umm no...

The best Appaloosa's are LEOPARD!!! lol or solid with a blanket snow cap & wap spots.
Other than that once I have gotten to live with one for 5 years now, I have come to love his crazy, goofy horsenality, its like no other & said thats only a trait found in the Toby bred Appaloosa's!
 
#222 ·
I dont mind appys. I have heard many stories on the breed. The first horse i ever lessoned on was an appy mare. Sweet horse. Many people ive talked to say appys are stubborn and hard headed with a bad temper. But ive never rode the breed enough to really know how they are.
 
#223 ·
I know lots of people that don't like varnish roan, but I do :) personal preference. I used to dislike bays, but I currently own three, I've really learned color doesn't matter. I'm not a fan of double dilutes.

The white sclera gets a lot if people, but has never bothered me. Recently I Was at an auction where a friend was looking at a colt. He was 9 months old, 13hh and STOCKY. Black with four white socks, a star and snip and one white spot. Incredible confo, and standing nice and quiet. Great bloodlines and an incredible mover. Lots of guys standing there were commenting "that ones crazy, just look at his eyes!". Oye.
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#224 ·
I know lots of people that don't like varnish roan, but I do :) personal preference. I used to dislike bays, but I currently own three, I've really learned color doesn't matter. I'm not a fan of double dilutes.

The white sclera gets a lot if people, but has never bothered me. Recently I Was at an auction where a friend was looking at a colt. He was 9 months old, 13hh and STOCKY. Black with four white socks, a star and snip and one white spot. Incredible confo, and standing nice and quiet. Great bloodlines and an incredible mover. Lots of guys standing there were commenting "that ones crazy, just look at his eyes!". Oye.
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I love the eyes! You can actually tell what they are thinking! :D
 
#229 ·
Nellie was/is my soulmate. nothing in the world has touched my heart like she has, and nothing could ever replace her... For showing kindness to her, after being in a bad home, she saved my life. I could have wound up paralyzed or dead, but because of her STEPPING between me and steel shod hooves I'm still alive and kicking. I owe her more than I could possibly ever give...
I just wish she were still here so I could tell her how much I love her one last time <3
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#232 ·
Along with showing that QHs can have white scleras (the palomino), this also is my little tribute to my farm's mid-forties appy. Mohican had to be put down earlier this week after a quick and serious bout of colic. RIP old man, you were one of the greatest. You were an amazing jumper, the perfect babysitter, and when we opened the field you'd just trot to the barn on your own. We all love you and miss you Mo.
 

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#233 ·
I have a 14 year old Appy gelding who is amazing. I have only had him for six months. Had his teeth checked out by vet the other day; turns out the poor fellow had a terrible, splintered and rotten back tooth! He'd probably had the thing for two or three years the vet said. Took her an hour and a half to pull it.

Basically that horse is a SAINT. I've been riding him and taking lessons on him and he never showed a sign that his mouth was hurting. First lesson after he healed up? Riding smooth as silk, supple, on the bit and both directions! I love me some Appys!
 

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#234 ·
<-- Is actually not a big Appy fan. This is because I've yet to find one I actually like. Do I think they're all like that? No. Would I hesitate to try one? No. I rode some mean, stubborn, block headed Appies back when I was little. It seemed like every Appy I came across had a streak for being nasty. Although I really shouldn't judge owning an Arabian who's the complete opposite of their sterotype! Haha. I'm sure there's some Appy owners who wouldn't touch my Arab with a ten foot pole ;) I think it's just easy to make a judgement when you always see the worst in a breed. Like high strung freaky Arabs.

There are some VERY good looking Appy's out there. My biased opinion has nothing to do with looks. There's also some ugly ones - but hey there's ugly QHs & Arabians too.
 
#235 ·
This is my first Appy and I love him!! I have heard all the whoopla about Appy's in the past.
--They are HOT, STUBBORN and Mean--
I have to sayyyyyyyy~ I dont think so people!
This guy here is SMART and very eager to learn..He is SOFT..And very CALM..
I never thought in a million years either that I would own a white horse either...I think he is beautiful
He does not have the markings as most Appy's but when he is wet you can see the spot shades on his rump. (he is registered)
No small eyes or thin tail....Everyone I know that see's him always is astonished at his size.
So I have to say in this thread "I LOVE Appy's!"
 

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#236 ·
Thought I'd bump this thread up so everyone can continue showing off their gorgeous Apps!

Dice is just about the smartest horse I've ever had the honor to work with/own. I know I've already shared pics before but I got some new ones that are pretty good =P

" I'll be up up and away, up up and away" His fave thing to do in the field. They're always pretty balanced too.



Lovin' my future barrel star!


I had him balance a bucket on his head and "smile" at the same time. He puts up with so much haha most tolerant 4yr old ever!


"Hey mom! I know how much you love Arabs, look I'm an Arabian!" (Complete with snorting haha. He does this frequently. I swear he's a registered App haha but sometimes he'll just prance around the field with tail straight up, curled neck, and snorting)


His first bareback ride on the one year anniversary of his first ride! Proud mama? I think so.


I have to say(not sure if I said it in my other post here) I wasn't really ever a fan of Appaloosas before I got him. No particular reason (okay except maybe the "rat tail" assumption). I had always heard the stereotype that they are stubborn as a mule so when looking for a prospect an Appy was no where near on my list of breeds. Now that I have one I know he's not stubborn, just overly smart. He tries so hard to please and is visibly upset when he knows he's not doing something right. He LOVES praise absolutely thrives on it. He tries so hard to please and do well because he knows he'll get scratches (and the occasional Powerade haha)

He's also an extremely sensitive soul. I unfortunately found that out this passed weekend when I allowed someone to "try something" on him. Bad bad BAD move on my part. It lasted all of three minutes and I was holding back tears. Word of wisdom, no matter how much you think you trust someone be careful when you let them on the horse you trained, especially when they don't listen to you.
 
#240 ·
I am a huge fan of appaloosas. I had 2 half brothers for 24+ years from the time they were weanlings until they passed away and they were great horses. After old age claimed them I bought several different horses an arab, a quarter horse, a morgan and a paint. I was not happy with any of them, then I bought another app and fell in love all over again. To me pretty is as pretty does and nothing is prettier than my app. He is sweet, smart and super funny. Yes he has a strong personality and not all of it is great but he always makes me laugh and I feel safe with him. This week I sold my Morgan and my little quarter horse and I am purchasing what I hope will be my last great horse.....and you know what breed he is? He is a few spot appaloosa. Here is a picture of my heart horse my wonderful funny perfect appaloosa "littlefoot" and my soon to be new appaloosa boy Yukon Jack
 

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#241 ·
I think Appy's are great. I have never met one I didn't like. I will say I prefer one-colored skin on the eyes and muzzle to the mottling, but a friend of mine had an Appy from a HUS-bred line and he was absolutely stunning, and is easily one of my favorite horses of all time. Would have bought him in a heartbeat if he were for sale.
 
#242 ·
Its a metter of personal oppinion. I dislike Appys and would never go and look at one myself.
I cant stand blue eyes, they give me the creeps, so any horse with blue eyes is out of the question for me.
Appys I find tend to be quite common in thier heads, iffy in thier confo and generaly have no tail to speak about. These are general observations I personaly have made of the breed having watched a few breed classes at county shows and when trying a few out for a friend whilst she was looking for a horse, it may not represent the whole breed.

TBH I just Find them plain ugly and wouldnt have one, but it is my personal oppinion and I am entitled to it. Just as people are entitled to think that my pony is ugly or he is simply not thier cup of tea.
 
#243 ·
Yeahhh, my dad refers to them as "Assaloosas".

The only experience I have with them is with the ones I took lessons on as a kid. This trainer only dealt with Appys. They were okay when I first started out with simple stuff, but they were generally very lazy and didn't want to move out, which frustrated me as I progressed.

That's probably not a breed specific trait at ALL, it's probably just how the trainer had taught them to be, but it was amusing that if I mentioned it to other horse people, they'd laugh and say "Yep, that's an Appy". Interesting how views like that get started.
 
#244 · (Edited)
Then again, why do people hate Arabians, or Thoroughbreds, or Drafts, or really any breed, color, or style? I think it all boils down to opinions and, in some cases, ignorance.

ETA: NOT bashing on Arabians, TB's, or Drafts. Just trying to make a point.
 
#246 ·
Apps do have a reputation, haha. A boarder at my farm and my college roommate both have one and I hear ALL about the things people like to say about them.

I think the reputation is unfair. Yes, some apps are ugly and some have bad attitudes. I think it comes down to ****ty breeding, honestly. People overbreed/bred them because of their markings and cool blankets. Kind of like the reputation Dalmatians have for having poor temperaments due to the breed doom after 101 Dalmatians. I know plenty of sport-bred apps that are fantastic, attractive, flashy athletes. People should look past the rumors and talk and stop assuming that a few bad apples don't make people start hating apples.
 
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