Walkaloosa
What is a Walkaloosa Horse
The Walkaloosa is an equine breed of the United States of America, having an ambling gait as well as an Appaloosa pattern. Their smooth, ambling gaits make them an attractive choice for riding.
Walkaloosa Pictures
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- Walkaloosa Foal
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- Walkaloosa Horse Pictures
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- Walkaloosa Horse
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- Walkaloosa Pictures
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- Walkaloosa Stallion
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- Walkaloosa
Quick Information
| Other Names | Gaited Appaloosa |
| Temperament | Mild, docile, generous, gentle, willing and kind |
| Physical Traits | Head of a varied profile (Straight, Convex); leveled topline; well-muscled loin; well-defined withers |
| Color | Mostly bay with an Appaloosa pattern |
| Height/Size | 13 to 16 hands ( 14 to 15.2 hands being desirable) |
| Weight | Approximately 950 pounds |
| Category | Light, Heavy |
| Common Uses | Dressage, Show jumping, competitive riding, endurance |
| Gaited | Intermediate ambling gait and trot |
| Blood type | Warmblood |
| Ancestors | Appaloosa, Paso Fino, Peruvian Horse |
| Popular Traits | Leopard patterned and an intermediate ambling gait |
| Health Problems | No breed-specific health problems recorded |
| Feeding | Hay, grass, grain |
| Country of Origin | Unite States of America |
| Breed Association | Walkaloosa Horse Association |
Walkaloosa Horse Video
History
The Walkaloosa was believed to be a result of crossing the Appaloosa along with other breeds like the Paso Fino, Peruvian Horse, or Missouri Fox Trotter.
The gaited horses marked with a leopard pattern were present since over thousand years. In fact, the registry for Walkaloosa might be new, but they have been in existence for centuries. In the year 1938, all the breeds exhibiting a leopard pattern were combined together for the purpose of forming a registry named the Appaloosa Horse Club. However, the breeders at the Appaloosa Horse Club gradually refused to include the naturally gaited equine breeds and would no longer accept registrations for a foal having an Appaloosa coloring with a parent from a gaited breed. Notwithstanding this restriction, many full-blooded Appaloosa horses are seen to exhibit an ambling gait.
The formation of the Walkaloosa horses happened in the year 1983, for the purpose of preserving the gaited breeds with an Appaloosa pattern for generations to come. The goal was to improve, preserve as well as retain their smooth gaits. Many horses present in the registry belong to the 3rd or 4th generations of the registered Walkaloosa. New breeds are still being accepted to the registries. A horse should meet any of the three criterions in order to qualify as a Walkaloosa.
- Have to be the descendants of a Walkaloosa stallion and mare that has been registered. or
- Display the Appaloosa coloration and also perform an intermediate gait apart from the trot.
- Be an off-spring of a verifiable Appaloosa as well as a gaited horse.
Since the registry acknowledges a variety of gaited horse breeds, the Walkaloosa differs in terms of body types. However their coloration along with the intermediate ambling gait makes them unique. Horses to be registered as Walkaloosa which do not meet the coloration of gait criteria, undergo registration with a Breeding Stock number since the gaits develop as and when the horse matures and might also be passed on to the next generation even if the parents do not acquire it.
Preferred Conformation
- Head can be of any profile
- A Roman nose is not desirable
- Neck conformation can vary in accordance to the gaits and sex
- The throat latch must be clean and make way for proper breathing
- Leveled or slightly uphill topline
- Well-muscled loin
- Angle of the shoulder should be wide enough to allow free and easy movement
- Well-defined but not pronounced withers
