Why does it seem so many people hate Appaloosas?

So I'm just wonderign after reading a question a girl asked about naming an appaloosa horse and seeing the negative responses she got regarding appys what is the big deal with you peopel that ahte them? I have owned several apps and will continueto ALWAYS have atleast one. So liek I said what is the deal? They are great athletes, have amazing stamina and have tons of personality to boot. They are loyal and try their hardest at everything you ask them to. the only thing I can think of is they are too smart for their own good a lot of times..... what is everyone's opinion?

Why does it seem so many people hate Appaloosas?
Good horses come in all sizes and colors. The problem is that people are not willing to look past what they like and ride to see this. I have ridden saddlebreds, jumpers, paso finos, quarter horses, paints, appaloosas, TWH, and a host of others. And have liked them all. There is good and bad in every breed. You just have to get past the "dumb" in some people. I know a guy who swore that paints where the dumbest things on the face of the planet. "All common headed and ill bred" where his exact words. Said hell would freeze over before he ever rode one. And that same guy (who I married in spite of what he said about my horses) now has 7 paint horses and loves every one of them. Brags on them. You have to think about when you are sitting on your horse laughing about what someone else rides, there is also someone who probably thinks you are crazy for what you ride.








I want to add a comment to the person who made the statement about the Arabs, saying she preferred her "Quarter Horse Paints" . Here is a big ol news flash. One of the biggest Quarter Horse breeders of the day actually was breeding from horses that were of Arabian heritage. How do you think he got those famous "heads" and there was a reason one of stallions was named" Sheik". So sugar, in truth, you are most likely riding an Arab or the relative of one. And since Quarter and Paints are both manmade breeds consisting of a mix of several different horses, and a lot of the Arabs and Appaloosa can trace their bloodlines back for hundreds of years (or more), I would keep my mouth shut on how you think these horse are not worth talking about. You are putting down your own horses relatives.
Reply:It does NOT surprise me to see that if it had 4 legs %26amp; a tail you would ride it %26amp; it is NOT true all horses are created equal. IF they were, they would all be built like a Quarter Horse.... Report It

Reply:Hi!


I suppose I am expected to defend myself...Read my answer to the arab hate question.


I did not knock their so call intelligence or anything else other than the way they look. Personally I believe that appys %26amp; arabs are.......just plain not worth farther comment.....


There, that was said without being rude....





As for Chantelle: State horse of Idaho huh? Figures.....
Reply:well since you own a app then you know that they can be very tempermental! I've owned several, and still have two on our farm now. They are moody and are extremely stubborn. They tend to throw fits at any given time, and it's very annoying. My Mother dislikes them very much!


I think they are beautiful horses, and I love their colorings and markings, but they are difficult and many riders don't like having to put up with their attitudes!
Reply:I think many appy's are beautiful, I wonder about the hatred myself, I rode this appy who was quite ugly, his personallity was too. he bucked while we were just sitting there talking.





fortunantly I didn't get bucked off. I rode another who ran away with me, he was very well trained horse yet still ran away, another appy we had she was sweet, but half blind. her name was angel. my hubby learned to ride on her and he was a green as they come.





I don't like appys because of the poor breeding by many people who are only concerned about the big money on the color, and neglect to avoid breeding horses with genetic blindness, this one lady who I liked, she had a blind mare she bred. I thought that is irresponsible. the blindness was genetic.





So I avoid them because the blindness is a serious problem around here. as for a appy being different then other horses, I say hogwash! a horse is a horse by any other color it is still a horse.





RRRRR
Reply:I own an Appaloosa gelding, age three, just started riding him, and he is the easiest colt I've ever trained. You can lead him with just an arm around his neck, he is calm, no spook, no buck, very matter of fact and content. It may be that we got him at a very young age at an auction for $100, and have gentled him and taken care of him, and he has learned to trust us and like us. He's a sweet horse, here's some pics:





http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc25/...


http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc25/...


http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc25/...
Reply:The Appys I've known and loved have been great.





People love to close their minds for some reason. It's sad, cause a closed mind misses out on a lot of adventure!
Reply:For the same reason people hate Arabians (calling them killers-I run into that alot with "QH people")-it's sheer ignorance and ego.
Reply:he is very pretty i love all horses
Reply:I see nothing wrong if the breed of appaloosa...I mean sure there are some appys out there that may be the most stupidest horse you've ever met but you'll find that in every breed and a breed shouldnt be catorgized like that. I think appy's are gorgeous. The only thing that makes me think twice about getting one is that sometimes a lot of them have hair problems and their mane and tail get really thin. But if someone offered me an appy that was trained I would take it in a heart beat....





Oh and my the way your horse is adorable.
Reply:I am right with you! I am finding people don't really care for appy's and I just don't understand why! They are sweet, gentle, (for the most part...every breed as the exceptions horse) good natured horses. I have worked with and owned many appy's in my time and I have loved every single one of them!


In fact when I was younger (about 14 or so) my dad and I went to a horse auction and picked up an appy colt for about $100. He was from the origional Tobey's Hopey's Pete Indian line. We weren't sure how he would do as a stud, but he was the most incredible horse I have ever owned!!!! We kept him a stud just for the fact that there was absolutely no reason to geld him...he was even more docile than my quarter horse gelding. He never got riled about anything and was the best horse I have ever owned!


After I met my husband he had an appy horse who was absolutely amazing! After we had kids our kids would play with him and ride him by themselves at 2 years old. He was so gentle and cautious with the kids.


Appy's deffinately have a special place in my heart and I will never understand why people don't like them. They may not all be the best lookers but I would rather have a not good looking horse that my kids can ride by themselves safely and have fun with than a beautiful horse that is not safe.


There is not a single breed of horse that has not been stereotyped somehow...and there is not a single breed that the stereo type has been proven not true by a horse of that breed. Appy's are not an exception.
Reply:I had an Appaloosa once and he was the stupidest, meanest horse around. He dumped more times in the woods and I had to walk home most of the time. Then for almost 2 years I couldn't catch him. He'd let me get as close as arms reach and then run. Maybe they are too smart.
Reply:I have noticed that too . My aunt was the same way, she always said she'd never own one and they all had head issues. I've never owned one and have only been around 1 mare. I didn't like the mottled skin however she was a great kids' horse and was built quite nicely. I personally don't care for the looks of those with no tail but I've seen pics of several that I loved the looks of...full tail and solid colored heads, blanket apps I think they're called. It's just personal preference on the coloring as I like paints to have solid heads with just a star or stripe too.
Reply:i agree i see it too! i have no idea y so many people hate them, maybe it is because they are more prone to cancer like grey horses!
Reply:I have nothing against them in terms of build, performance, anything like that but I just don't find them very attractive - personal taste I suppose.
Reply:I musta missed that question... Anyway, I like them just fine!! I have owned a few and have great memories of even more. They are one of the easiest horses to sell as an art form and highly enjoyable as subjects for my work. And your horse is just a cutie and a half.
Reply:People dislike Appaloosas for the same reason they dislike Arabs, ponies, mules, mares, gaited horses, TBs and any other breed or type of horse.


They heard it from someone that they looked up to.


Same reason everyone loves QHs and geldings.


I've owned or ridden almost every breed that wouldn't be considered rare. I've like idividuals of every breed. My personal preference would be to not have a QH and to not have a gelding tho my very best horse ever was a QH, Arab and Shetland cross gelding. My second favorite horse was a QH. But as a general rule I'd rather ride something else. Just my preference.


When someone says something that's too generalised I always ask why they think that. Then how many horses of that breed or sex have they worked with themselves. It doesn't change their minds but it does, usually, make them think about their belief and that's the best ;you can hope for.
Reply:I've heard that they are stupid, mean, stubborn, and hard to ride. I have never heard anything positive about appaloosas from the horsey people in my area. Personally I think the white ones with spots are the most beautiful horses. I have never ridden one though.
Reply:I don't have a problem with apps at all. Like most breeds, I think they are better for some disciplines than others but my first pony was an app and she was the best teacher I ever could have had. By the way, she was a show hunter and took me from walk trot equitation to pony finals.
Reply:I love appies! there so random looking! my girl is an appy/twh pony I THINK, but she was found running on a highway after running into a tree and poking her eye out...but that has nothing to do with her breed-thats just her lol
Reply:i dont know! i see that a lot too. they must think that their build is off or somfink... i dont mind, i myself have a Hienz 57, if you know what i mean!!
Reply:Trust me when I say,I know how you feel!I have owned two appys and they were great!As you stated they could be a bit to smart for their own good,but every breed has its oddities.My horse is an Arabian and one person at a show Actually told me my horse would make better meat then a rideable horse,let it also be known I got first in english pleasure againist this persons daughter.As stated,people are ignorant,think they know everything and are just straight up jerks in any case of discrimination.
Reply:They're 'Indian' horses - often considered inferior to Quarter Horses (among other breeds) despite the fact that many American horses have Appaloosa ancestry. At one time the US government had a specific policy of trying to breed them out of existence, and that prejudice still persists even among people who don't know where it comes from.
Reply:i dont have a problem with appys. yes i have been around some that have been hard headed and mean, but there are alot of breeds out there that can be hard headed and mean. i personally think blanket appys are gorgeous, granted yes there are some that look weird and are not that pretty, but overall i love appys.


i think these two patterns are my favs


http://www.flickr.com/photos/myhorse/405...





http://www.horses-and-horse-information....
Reply:Apparently, they have a good reputation for being stubborn. I had a mare that was part welsh, and part appy. When I went to get her from the trainer, he asked what breed she was. She's marked like a paint, but looking at her tail and mane will tell you she's got some appy in her. When I told him, he said that if he would've known that, he wouldn't have taken her becuase the last app he had was stubborn and bucked all the time.





:D My girl never bucked once or too awfully stubborn. I've been around 2 apps in my life, and neither one left me with a bad image.
Reply:Hi, i have an appaloosa myself, and i have never heard people saying negative things about them. But who ever says bad stuff about them are stupid. There the best horse you could ever have.
Reply:I think horses are cute, but I wasnt always that


into Appaloosas.


Maybe cuz their fur pattern looks


splotchy and messy.





But thats my opinion.
Reply:Lets put it this way who was the best president ever? Its all about opinion, depending on your preference. Everyone will have different answers just because no ones opinion is correct. Back to horses, every have their own favorate and terrible breed. Personally I don't really have a problem with appys. I find them a bit "stubbern" and the competiting that I do I can't afford to have a "mule." I'm in love with AQH's just because I'm a all a round rider and I need a horse to do everything. Now the breed I'm not very fond of are TB's (Throughbreds) I've had to ride some and needless to say I had a bad ride on them so I'm not very fond. One of my friends own a Appy and she love's him to death, to me he'z a good appy, he'z not stubbern mostly cuz he'z lazy lol.
Reply:The Appaloosa horse was my first love, I been in the business for 27 years mostly AQHA now but ever since the introduction of Dreamfinder the breed has been forever improved.


http://barnlot.tripod.com/dreamfindernar...


Great breed and would love to own one just for myself!
Reply:I know exactly what question your talking about! With Champagne Diamonds who answered that question rudely, I absolutely LOVE Appaloosas, they are our Nation's pride, they carried our Indians through their tough times and were selected by Idaho to be our state horse, I bet the people who dislike them are jealous that Quarter Horses and Paints aren't the state's horse. And, I think your Appaloosa is just GORGEOUS!
Reply:according to some people they are more insane than the average horse
Reply:The excuses I've always heard were that they're stupid, stubborn, crazy, etc. They do tend to have strong personalities, and the ones I've dealt with were definitely stubborn, but not stupid or crazy at all.


Personally I think it's the eyes that scare people. The white sclera makes them look unusual, sometimes it makes them look a little crazy, and I think people see that and jump to conclusions. After all, normally if you see the whites of a horse's eyes it's when they're upset or scared, so I think it's interpreted the wrong way.





Appies are great, I used to own a 1/2 App 1/2 TWH mare. She didn't look much like an Appy but she definitely got the Appy personality. I loved that horse, she was a lot of fun.