The mustang
The mustang is a very well known horse and due to its unique place in history, is revered by many people as a symbolic representation of the romantic and adventurous energy of the American wild west.
Although Mustangs are usually known as 'wild' horses, the more correct expression is 'feral' horses as most so-called 'wild' horses inside The usa are descended from horses that were by origin domestic animals shipped to The u.s. by the settlers.
The majority of these imported horses were of European or Arabian origins, but had amongst them all possible colours and many breeds and types.
A good number of these independent and brave horses escaped or were taken by the indigenous tribes, and quickly spread through the whole of america
The Appaloosa horse
Appaloosas normally have a leopard spotted skin, white sclera (the part of the eye around the cornea) and striped hooves.
The story of this unusual horse is not completely understood. There is some proof that mottled horses were living in a good number of geographical regions in 'the old world', and we know of cave paintings dating back to 18000BC clearly showing spotted horses that might be the origins of the appaloosa we know today. It is possible that the mottled coat was originally a form of camouflage, serving a similar purpose to the striped pattern on a zebra.
The modern-day Appaloosa is descended from horses brought to The u.s. by spanish conquistadors. These were acquired by the Nez perce indian tribe, who proficiently engineered them into the tremendous horses that we recognize at the present time.
This fine horse was by origin referred to as the "Palouse horse", even though bit by bit the name transformed into the modern-day version, "Appaloosa".
|
