apollossa

[nic]

anyone know anything about this breed?

my friend is looking at one and wants me to come tomorrow, and I have a half app, and she is a bit nutty, esp compared to my lovely natured darling new forest!
I have warned her, and been warned by a few others they are a bit nutty-arab like.
She currently has Sec D's, and without being rude i think these suit her more as she is a good 13 stone or so I would say, and a bit nervous.
This one is due to make 15hh and is 4 this yr, and been backed.
Just from my expirence I would stick with natives all the way as they are hardy, easy, and loving, mayb its just mine but my half ap is way more arab like than any other iv had!
Anyone any experience?

[Debbie]

I do have experience with Appaloosas. Unfortunately they're the ones here in the US, and I've found that the breeds can vary between countries. You'd be amazed at the differences in dog breeds between countries, and I think its the same for the horses.

So to answer your question, most of the appys I know can be a touch sharpish/event competition minded, but a LOT of them are wonderful laid back hack out safe as houses types. That's not going to do you nor your friend any good, though because as I said you've got a different genepool over there.

If you can, get the current owner to handle the horse and ride it before you. This can give you and your friend plenty of time from the ground to see how it moves, how it interacts with people and how it goes under saddle. If it acts like a nutter, or if your friend feels at all afraid, don't bother pushing the sale. You'll need to set your bias aside and take a good honest look at the horse in front of you. Sometimes they're lovely and act nothing like others of the breed.

Also take a good look at how its built. I'd think nothing of someone 13stone or bigger swinging up on a stout Appy here, but again you might have a different genepool over there working against you. They might be twiggy legged, or slighter/tb builds instead of the stout working cowponies they should be. The ones I know here all have good legs, and very good hooves, but again it could be night and day with what you've got over there. Sorry I'm not much help!

[PonyGirl]

I have known a few. They have been really outstanding horses. But Debbie is right...Same breed of horse here might not have the same over there.

[Daftmare]

I take great exception to the nutty arab bit, my arab is far more sane than my Dales!! Arabs are just way too clever for most ppl IMO!!
Personally I dont like appaloosas but the few I have known have been ok quite sensible but forward going. A lot of appaloosas in the UK are crossbreeds though and have just been labelled appaloosa as they have the right markings. A common cross is with the TB which is where the stupid bit of them comes through probably.

[nars]

It's a breed that seems to have huge variations. They can be a bit skittish, but I suspect they are sensitive horses who if started and trained corectly and sympathetically, would make a good competiton horse.

Some have their eyes too close together and look a bit werid, and make sure the feet are sound on this one too.