WHAT’S WRONG WITH

THE “APPALOOSA” HORSE INDUSTRY IN CANADA?

 

A commentary by Rick Hemmett

 

 

About the author

 

With almost a half of a century experience as a horseman, the author is a long time Appaloosa breeder. He is also, a retired ApHCC judge, internationally successful multi-breed professional trainer, clinician and an Inductee into the ApHCC Hall of Fame in the Builders of the Breed category.

 

Many of the opinions expressed in this article are in direct contrast to the financial interests of the author but reflect his beliefs on what is required to advance the cause of the Appaloosa Horse.

 

 

 

 

 

“Appaloosa is a color…not a breed!”

 

“Appaloosa is not a breed. It is specific colors, consisting of genes that modify the base coat color of the horse and contribute the other recognizable characteristics such as mottling, striped hoofs, sceleras and occasionally sparse manes and tails”.

 

Recent genetic research has identified the gene responsible for these modifications and to call a horse without this gene an Appaloosa is misleading. It can be likened to calling a sorrel a blue roan. Without color, a chestnut is a chestnut, not an Appaloosa. A black is a black…not an Appaloosa. And on it goes. The previously mentioned contrasting colors and characteristics are the only specific traits that identify the Appaloosa as unique.

 

For example, lets consider a 31/32 Quarter Horse, 1/32 “Appaloosa”. It may have Appaloosa coloring and if so, it possesses at least one Appaloosa color gene. Genetically it is 96.7% (almost pure) Quarter Horse and its color and characteristics are the only significant things that make it an Appaloosa. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appaloosa                                                                             Not an Appaloosa, but a sorrel.

Grand dam of horse to the right                                              Daughter of a colored stallion and a solid “Appaloosa” mare, she possibly carries a recessive Appaloosa color gene.

 

 

Fact

 

The definition of a breed is as follows: A distinctive type with common characteristics which reproduce themselves generation after generation.

 

 The current definition of the Appaloosa horse falls short in this department. In fact, the AQHA and numerous other so called “breeds” do not meet the criteria either. Many others do... The Arabian, Thoroughbred, Morgan, Clydesdale and even the Fjord horses are easily identified because there is a uniformity of characteristics evident in their appearance. Not co-incidentally, their registries are closed to outcrossing.

 

It is widely accepted that the “Appaloosa” is a light horse suitable for riding and light harness. However it varies from 14 hand heavy muscled “bulldogs” to refined 17+ hand “thoroughbred” types of animals, so it lacks a defining type of conformation. Therefore the Appaloosa does not meet the definition of a breed.

 

It is a fact that consistent type and color will only evolve by limiting the gene pool to horses of a certain type that are homozygous for the Appaloosa color gene. And of course this means limiting the gene pool by closing the books and then selectively breeding for the desired characteristics. These issues must be addressed immediately in order to be of any benefit in the near future.  The longer we procrastinate, the more damage is done.

 

A purebred is easily distinguished by its unique characteristics. We need only look at Hereford, Jersey or Black Angus cattle to see the differences between these breeds. The same holds true in the world of dogs. We can all differentiate between a French Poodle, a Collie and a Black Labrador. Using the latter as a model, all Black Labs have very similar conformation, are similar in size and black in color. After approximately eighty years as a registry, why do Appaloosa Horses not yet meet the criteria? Is it apathy or a misunderstanding of the basics of genetics that is causing us to drag our feet?

 

Those familiar with genetics know that dominant and recessive genes (genotype) are responsible for the traits an animal exhibits and if these genes are not present, the traits (phenotype) are not available. Some solid colored horses do carry a recessive Appaloosa color gene…a gene that by its nature is not manifested in visible traits.  If two of these recessive horses are bred to each other, then a double recessive may be produced and it may exhibit visible traits. 

 

Quarter Horses occasionally exhibit this “outcrop” phenomenon with Appaloosa or Paint colored foals produced by two solid colored parents. Misinformed people like to think that this proves the Appaloosa or Paint gene is strong. But in reality an ancestor or ancestors of the colored foal contributed the gene(s) responsible for the trait and they were just lying in recession, waiting for the right genetic combination to allow the expression of the color.

 

Other solid colored horses in the Appaloosa and other registries do not carry any Appaloosa color genes and it is therefore impossible for them to produce Appaloosa color unless bred to a horse with a color gene. Research indicates that few spot leopards and snowcap blanketed Appaloosas are dominant homozygous for Appaloosa genes and will produce color on every offspring so they are the obvious choice for a solid to be mated with if 100% color is desired.

 

Under present conditions, solid colored horses can be of value as breeding stock if bred to color producing individuals. Some of the most vividly colored Appaloosas are the offspring of one solid parent.

 

 

Fact

 

 Traditionally, the Appaloosa is a horse of color!

 

The original Appaloosa Horse Clubs were established as registries for colored horses, and the solids inadvertently produced were relegated to breeding stock status. These solids could be used for any purpose other than approved Appaloosa shows or racing but were not Appaloosa colored and therefore were not identifiable as Appaloosas. Many were discarded as grade animals at reduced prices but the integrity of the Appaloosa was preserved and the Industry prospered.

 

 

Fact

 

 When the Appaloosa horse was recognized as a horse of color,

the Appaloosa was the third largest registry on earth.

 

This color inclusive system created an identity for the Appaloosa. Short-sightedness, misinformation, ignorance and sometimes self-interests allowed this system (which worked well) to be dismantled. The results were to the detriment of the organizations and the promoters of the true Appaloosa. Although mostly well-intentioned, the powers that be were looking for a solution that appeased the solid argument and they incorrectly re-defined the Appaloosa horse. We can no longer afford to perpetuate the misconception that solid colored horses are Appaloosas.

 

 

Fact

 

 There was and can again be a large demand for these distinctively colored individuals if we re-establish the identity of the Appaloosa as a colored horse.

 

As proof of the logic of this argument, we only need to look at the rapid growth of the Paint Horse industry. The Paint is promoted as a stock horse type with a distinctive coat pattern. In most respects, the Paints, Quarter Horses and Appaloosas of today are almost identical in conformation, type and appearance, with the exception of coat patterns. Although a much younger registry, the Paints have surpassed the Appaloosa and become the second largest registry on the planet by promoting their colorful identity. Paint is a multi-colored horse and no knowledgeable horse person would identify a solid colored horse as Paint.

 

In these times, many solid “Appaloosas” are mistaken for Quarter Horses or Thoroughbreds. This further supports the argument that without color, the Appaloosa-bred horse is not identifiable as a distinct breed. Basically, we gave away the farm when we started calling solid colored horses Appaloosas.

 

To further substantiate the argument for desirable colors, the American Quarter Horse Association, (possibly perceiving a threat from the Paints?) is now allowing outcrop Paints from two AQHA parents to be recognized as Quarter horses. They are also now allowing Quarter Horse produced cremellos full status. The fact that cremellos are homozygous and can consistently produce duns, grullas and palominos obviously factored into this decision. The largest registry in the world is recognizing the advantages of producing distinctive colors and has taken steps in allowing their registry to adapt. This allows their breeders to access the genetic tools that consistently get desired colors. I would expect that outcrop Appaloosa colored Quarter Horses will also be granted the same status. How will this change in Quarter Horse color standards affect the AQHA, Paint and Appaloosa registries in the future? Only time will tell. Possibly, we are headed for a single AQHA stock horse registry with all colors being accepted in the future.

 

 

Fact

 

 When the Appaloosa horse was recognized as a horse of color,

it had an identity and the public accepted it as a unique animal.

 

In the heyday of the Appaloosa, it was internationally recognized as a colored horse of the stock type. It appeared on the covers of the most prominent magazines of the day. The spotted horses were visible in the movies and on television. Major show classes often exceeded one hundred horses in one class. To the vast majority of the population, the Appaloosa was and still is a colored horse, in spite of what we have allowed our Associations to erroneously determine the definition to be.

 

 

Fact

 

By showing and exhibiting solid colored horses and representing them as Appaloosas, short term advantages were derived by a few, but the true Appaloosa colored horse and its promoters suffered major and possibly irreversible setbacks.

 

In order to win in the show ring or on the racetrack, many influential individuals spent and continue to spend large sums of money outcrossing to the popular Quarter horses and Thoroughbreds of the day. When a solid foal was produced, and could not be exhibited or raced, it represented a large financial loss. Thus the pressure to allow solids to be recognized as full status Appaloosas was lobbied for and obtained. This resulted in the Appaloosa horse losing its unique identity.

 

The outcome of this devastating decision is that the general public did not buy into the re-definition and quickly became disinterested in seeing “just another Quarter Horse” or becoming involved in a “breed” without a unique identity.  The buyers decided if they were going to have a solid colored horse, it might as well be a Quarter Horse that had much more market appeal than a solid colored “Appaloosa”. How long will the Appaloosa industry keep its head buried in the sand before acknowledging that a solid colored horse is NOT an Appaloosa?

 

 

Many will argue that we need outcrossing to improve

 the quality of the Appaloosa colored horse.

 

The effects of this logic are many.  In the past we have gained some superior traits, but at this point in time, the Appaloosa horse can and must stand on its own merits. With selective breeding, we are able to produce a product as good as our competitors and have the color as a bonus. Furthermore, outcrossing dilutes the Appaloosa gene pool and can also introduce unfavorable traits such as the Impressive Syndrome (HYPP).

 

If a breeder wants to gamble on outcrossing, that person should be willing to take a loss on a solid colored foal as part of the cost of doing business and not insist on hurting the whole Appaloosa industry by misrepresenting his product as an Appaloosa. If he gets color…he wins.  If not, he should not be allowed to exhibit it as an Appaloosa in approved Appaloosa events. Leave it at home and it may be of benefit in his breeding, using or Open Horse Show programs. If this option doesn’t appeal to the breeder, get out of the Appaloosa business and breed solids in another breed.

 

Specific interest groups will argue that outcrossing brings in speed or conformation.  No breed of horse can be all things to all people, so this argument while having some merit, dilutes the Appaloosa industry. Does an Appaloosa have to be the very fastest? Should it look just like a Quarter horse? Does its’ speed and/or conformation have to come at the cost of losing its identity?

 

Where is the logic in holding a competition for Appaloosa Horses if the majority of the entries are really mostly of Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred lineage and are not identifiable as Appaloosas?

 

Excessive outcrossing dilutes the Appaloosa genes, puts money into the pockets of the competing breeds and weakens our financial position in the market places. From an economic point of view, with outcrossing breeding fees and the related monies associated with these and many other segments of the industry are lost to the Appaloosa interests. As financial resources are filtered out of the Appaloosa Industry, working capital is lost and opportunities disappear. Many Appaloosa breeders have lost heart and gone out of business.

 

Outcrossing further gives the impression that our “Appaloosa breed” is inferior and needs improvement from the other breeds. We are, by these actions, telling the consumers and the world that our horses are not as good as those we are outcrossing to. And the Appaloosa industry suffers as a whole.

 

Many will argue that history shows that many outcross horses have been phenomenal. Granted, but who is to say that if the resources spent on the promotion of these part-breds would not have had equal or better results if poured into a pure Appaloosa.

 

We have had eighty some years of outcrossing. Enough is enough!

 

 

What is the current status of the Appaloosa industry in Canada?

 

I do not know of one person in this country currently making a living off exclusive Appaloosa breeding or training operations and this eventually hurts all Appaloosa devotees.

 

Without readily available support services, any industry is doomed to collapse. Many Appaloosa breeders have fallen by the wayside or changed to breeds they can make a living with. In western Canada, the number of professional trainers appearing at Appaloosa competitions is exceptionally low and entry numbers are generally very discouraging. Prominent breeders and show people are dropping out.

 

The Canadian Appaloosa magazine itself is proof of the decline in the Canadian industry. Formerly a monthly publication, it is now printed tri-annually because the industry apparently cannot presently support a monthly format. With the curtailment of this valuable communication tool, we are at a great disadvantage.  Without regular communication, this Association is bound to further erode and possibly collapse.

 

What’s next? Cut backs in office staff or higher service fees to maintain the status quo? Continued dwindling markets for Appaloosas?  Where is the logic in allowing the collapse of the organizations that represent the Appaloosa, leaving no organized venues to promote the horses? Now is the time to address the issue, close the books and start the reconstruction of the Appaloosa Industry before it is too late.

 

 

By closing the books, will we gain more than we loose?

 

Definitely.  Let’s explore some pros and cons.  

 

PRO

 

  1. This is the necessary step in establishing type and therefore establishing a breed. If we want to call the Appaloosa a breed, then eventually all individuals will have to be homozygous for color and of a common type. They may not look exactly like a Quarter Horse or a Thoroughbred with spots but they will all be uniquely Appaloosas. The defining type could continue to include a range from bulldogs to thoroughbred types but this is a compromise as to the true definition of a breed. The F system, as I understand it, is oriented towards identifying horses of “purer” Appaloosa blood and is a step in the right direction, although it doesn’t take full advantage of the proven facts or the newest advancements in genetic studies.

 

  1. By closing the books, all those actively involved in the Appaloosa business will benefit economically. To name just a few benefits, stallion owners will benefit by having an exclusive product to market without competition from other breeds. New breeders will have to purchase Appaloosa mares, not AQHA or Thoroughbreds in order to get into the Appaloosa breeding business. As demand increases, prices will rise. And breeders and trainers will be able to make a decent living specializing in Appaloosa horses.

 

 

  1. Appaloosas will again stand out in the market place as an identifiable commodity.

 

CON

 

  1. By stopping outcrossing, we deprive ourselves of some hybrid vigor and the use of future outstanding individuals that could possibly add something beneficial to our breed. That is the cost of having a pure, recognizable breed. A workable solution for accepting outcrosses would be a special section in the registry to recognize part-bred horses, similar to what the Arabian people do. They have a separate Part-Arab program in conjunction with their purebred designations.

 

  1. We limit the choice of breeders to determine what they want to produce. Granted, but breed standards must be the over-riding concern in any registry and if these standards don’t appeal to the breeders, they are in the wrong game. Appaloosa breeders must be breeding Appaloosa horses if the registries and the industry are to survive and prosper.

 

 

What effect would these changes have on the Appaloosa industry?

 

To re-affirm, the long term effects will again position the Appaloosa as a uniquely colored light horse. It will be identifiable. With product identity (the basic factor in marketing), the demand for colored horses will return. The value of Appaloosa horses will increase and breeders, dealers and trainers will again be able to make a decent return producing quality colored horses.

 

 

How would we deal with the solid outcross horses being bred presently?

 

Any horses of approved outcross breeds currently in Appaloosa breeding programs could be issued an Appaloosa breeding stock number and identified as acceptable for the balance of their life span. In this way, breeders currently using these other breed animals would not be exposed to a financial hardship by having to disperse of these animals. This is a compromise to the timing in achieving the end goal of developing the purebred Appaloosa, but it seems the only fair way in dealing with the effects of past policies.  The end result will still be the purebred Appaloosa, but this compromise will add a generation or two in the timing. Obviously no new outcross stock will be allowed from the date the books are closed.

 

 

How would we deal with the solids being shown or raced now?

                                                                                

These horses would continue as acceptable for their lifespan and eventually all the solids would disappear from the public’s eye and be replaced by colored horses. This “grandfathering out” is the only fair way in assisting solid owners with the transition back to color and correcting past mistakes. Obviously no new solids would be admitted to show or racing status, except in separate categories such as breeding stock or part-bred classes or races.

 

Note: I currently show some of my solid colored horses. Obviously, I would be disappointed if I had to leave them at home in the future because it would cause devaluation in their value as show horses and negate some of my investment in them. However, for the betterment of the breed I would willingly accept the losses if it was decided to disallow the exhibiting of solids as Appaloosas. I know that in the long run, this is the right thing to do to re-establish the viability of the Appaloosa industry.

 

 

What are workable solutions to re-establish the Appaloosa?

 

Option 1

 

Correctly define the Appaloosa as a colored horse of the light horse type.

 

  1. Close the books in the immediate future to develop purebred status.
  2. Stop representing solid colored horses as Appaloosas and re-establish the Appaloosa’s uniquely colorful identity.
  3. As soon as possible, implement DNA testing for color genes to identify horses with Appaloosa genes and phase out non-genetic Appaloosas from the breeding population.

 

These steps will eventually lead to a uniform type along with a homozygous color gene pool … color will again become the recognizable trait of all Appaloosa horses. The Appaloosa can then be legitimately recognized as a breed.

 

 

 

Option 2

 

Continue incorrectly defining the Appaloosa as a non-color specific breed which is the current situation.

 

  1. Close the books in the immediate future to develop purebred status.
  2. This results in us carrying on without a unique identity, and we will continue to loose market share and credibility.
  3. Some will argue that the marketplace should determine if solids are desirable. The proof of the flaw in this thinking is that since the solids became main stream, Appaloosa numbers have gone down hill dramatically. They will further argue that all breeds have deteriorated. This is a half truth since proportionally, only the Appaloosa has deteriorated to the extent of dropping to a distant 8th place from 3rd in total numbers.  Only the Appaloosa has significantly lost ground to the other breeds. The Paint, Quarter Horse, and even the Tennessee Walking Horse registries are flourishing because they have an identifiable product.

 

  1. Solids, for the most part, are not as desirable as the colored horses in the Appaloosa Industry. In my past forty or so years as a serious Appaloosa breeder, my experience has proven that quality colored horses sell rapidly…the solids do not. Presently about half of my remaining herd is solids because of the limited market for them. These solids are quality horses that I take enormous pride in, but they lack the unique color that most buyers demand.  And, while I realize that this statement may hinder the potential sales of some of my animals, I feel compelled to state the facts.

 

This short sighted option has already proven that it will not improve things. In fact it continues contributing to further declines in true Appaloosa numbers. Breeders are less concerned with getting color if a solid is as acceptable as a colored and so the percentage of colored horses being produced continues to decline.

 

Option 3

 

Define the Appaloosa as a color and record only colored horses of light horse type regardless of parentage.

 

  1. Some Buckskin, Palomino and Pinto registries operate in this format.
  2. This would open the floodgates to a loss of type and quality although color would be apparent.

 

This is not a sound option for the betterment of the Appaloosa.

 

Conclusions

 

 

To paraphrase a philosopher, “those who do not learn from history

are doomed to make the same mistakes”.

 

Option 1 is the only long term solution to advancing the cause of the Appaloosa horse and its promoters. Many of its components have proven to be successful in the past and with this knowledge, we have the opportunity to correct the previous mistakes and implement progressive changes.

 

Option 2 has proven not to be effective. In fact it is counter productive. Appaloosa breeders and many organizations of today are struggling to survive because without color, the Appaloosa Horse is not identifiable!

 

Option 3 would not improve the “breed” or help to define it because type would not be uniform.

 

 

What if the American based and other foreign registries

 don’t recognize these advancements?

 

At this point, they do not recognize Canadian Appaloosas as their equals anyway. It is believed by many that the American registry would like to be the only registry for the “Appaloosa” and have complete control over the direction of the future of the industry. Sadly, they have proven incapable of maintaining this previously vibrant industry.

 

Our organization is The Appaloosa Horse Club of Canada. We have no control over what the others do.  The American organization’s short sighted policies have led to many of the situations we now face.  We have compromised the Appaloosa’s identity in order to appease them in the past and we have suffered for it.  They first allowed the solids to be “recognized” as CPO Appaloosas. We followed suit. They allowed genetic faults into their gene pool (HYPP), which we went along with for a while but have now eliminated. And after all of that, now they do not recognize Canadian papers to breed or appear in their approved competitions. They will however take our money and issue “American” papers to these same horses and then recognize them as one of their own. None the less, at this point in time, there is nothing to stop the Canadian breeders from dual registering their “Appaloosa” horses if they feel there are certain benefits to be gained by belonging to both organizations.

 

 

It is long past time for Canadians to follow our own path.

 

We need to promote regional and National development of Canadian Appaloosas through product identity, promotion and competition. An example of how far we have fallen is the fact that in the “days of color”, Alberta with the most horses of any province in Canada, had five thriving ApHCC Affiliated Regional clubs…now there are two. We had a Provincial Show of Champions…now there is none. In the past, I personally made a decent living in the Appaloosa industry…now I supplement my Appaloosa business and operate at a loss. The numbers of Appaloosa breeders have drastically decreased in the last two decades because the demand for Appaloosa Horses has dwindled significantly.

 

 

Revamp the show system!

 

We must reassess the numbers of classes offered in a day.  For example eighty classes in a twelve hour period breaks down to an average of about 9 minutes per class and often doesn’t allow enough time to show case the animal’s abilities. Fewer classes with more pomp and ceremony would contribute to bringing the audiences back to the show rings. Awards presentations must become spectator friendly with multiple judged classes awarded separately. During my judging career, I often heard complaints from spectators who couldn’t keep track of the winners and left disappointed.

 

Those who chase points will object to this format, but their concerns could be alleviated by revamping the point system to make the qualifications for Awards less stringent. With travel expenses constantly rising and the costs of showing becoming a financial burden to many, we must look at workable alternatives if we are to preserve the Show Industry.

 

Changes in venues must be implemented in order to expose the Appaloosa to new audiences. For example, in Alberta, at present, there are two or three ApHCC approved Circuits and two are held in Claresholm. These shows do not attract any noticeable number of spectators for various reasons. Primarily Claresholm is a small town and its residents have had decades to be exposed to the Appaloosa. They are not flocking to see the Shows. We need new enthusiasts in order to stimulate growth, so we must plant the seeds of interest in higher populated areas.

 

We need our own ApHCC World Championship Show and we need it now! We then could, over time, develop a system of qualification for future World Championship Shows through ApHCC approved venues. This will help promote that all important Regional development and give World wide validity and appeal to our Canadian Appaloosa Horses.

 

We must continue to insist that all horses competing in ApHCC shows meet Canadian standards and in addition they must have Canadian registration papers. Appaloosa Horse Club of Canada events must feature Canadian registered horses exclusively. Many American horses are eligible for Canadian papers and if Americans want to take advantage of our prestigious events then they must recognize, contribute to and join our registry. The added advantages of increased revenues and growth in numbers are obvious. 

 

We must stop assuming the position of “second fiddle” and start promoting Canadian! Currently, our National Show is in reality, an International Show that allows and even encourages the competing registry members to take advantage of our venues, while generally speaking, giving little or nothing in return…other than their attendance.

 

We need to support and prioritize Canadian judges in Canadian events in order to keep them in the system. When any judge at our prestigious Canadian National Show is from out of this country, it is an affront to our passed over Canadian judges. After intense personal sacrifice and expense to become an approved ApHCC Judge, it is disheartening and insulting to be passed over for an American who has not gone through our system. And if there is a shortage of Canadian judges, could this be one of the reasons? Canadian judges deserve the recognition and the prestige of presiding over our biggest shows. Check out the current judges list and you will see that there are more approved American judges than the total number of Canadian judges in the four western provinces. This is not to say the Americans are not qualified, but they have not contributed to our system and should not be given preference over those that have. Imported judges should only be used if no Canadians are available.

 

At this point I wish to make it clear that I am not anti-American, but I am pro-Canadian when it comes to advancing the cause of the Canadian Appaloosa Industry and those that support it. We are in competition with the American registry at this time so why are we still allowing Canadian resources to be sent south of the boarder with members of that organization?

 

 

Develop the Canadian Market!

 

In order to grow, we need to steer our own course and set our own standards, disregarding what happens south of the 49th parallel.  When we are successful, the American ApHC may eventually recognize the fact that we have the right idea. Then, in the future, reconciliations may occur.

 

We must take care of our Canadian interests and stop over-emphasizing international markets.  I estimate that the foreign markets constitute less than two percent of total Canadian sales and yet we seem to be tailoring many of our organizational decisions to appeal to this insignificant market at great expense and inconvenience to the majority.

 

 

Re-establish the Appaloosa identity!

 

Until the Canadian Appaloosa re-establishes its colorful identity and is again thriving in Canada, it will never have any significant local, national or international appeal.

 

 

 

 

In closing, there will always be Appaloosa colored horses produced throughout the world from countless gene pools. Because of the nature of things, no organizations or persons will ever regulate or control all of these global factors.  However these other Appaloosa colored horses do not have the unique physical traits exhibited by the North American horses which have evolved over the last century or so.

 

We have it in our power to make “our” Appaloosas the standard by which all others are compared. We have it in our power to be honest with ourselves, recognize the problems and take on the responsibilities of re-establishing the Appaloosa as a quality horse of unique color.

 

We are currently on the wrong path and the longer we stay on it, the more time it will take to backtrack and get on the correct road to a prosperous future.

 

Future generations of Appaloosa owners will be indebted to us for our foresight…

 

 

Definitions

 

Homozygous:    Carries two genes in a pair for a certain trait

Heterozygous:   Carries one gene for a certain trait and one gene for another trait in a certain pair

Dominant:         Overshadows or is the stronger gene of a pair, manifests its trait

Recessive:        Less dominant or weaker gene of a pair only manifests its traits when paired with a like recessive gene.

CPO:                Certified Pedigree Option

HYPP:             Hyperkinetic Periodic Paralysis, a.k.a. The Impressive Syndrome. A mutated gene that involves cellular      dysfunctions causing symptoms from negligible muscle tremors to death in extreme cases.

ApHC              Appaloosa Horse Club, located in Moscow, Idaho, U.S.A. Original Appaloosa registry.

ApHCC            Appaloosa Horse Club of Canada located in Claresholm, Alberta, Canada.  Canadian counterpart to and formerly a recognized affiliate of ApHC.

 

 

 

 

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