The Appaloosa Horse is one of a few breeds affected by what is called the Òleopard geneÓ in horses. Its coat has a layering of colors that produces a leopard-spotted pattern! Young readers will love learning about this unique horse and its role in riding competitions and cowboy culture.
A Non-Fiction history of the Pre-registry Appaloosa spotted horses of the world, and a historic reference exploring bloodlines that were the foundation of the Appaloosa Horse Club of America in North America.
Born Free! Among a patterned herd of wild Appaloosa mustangs running free in the Idaho wilderness lives Blue, a spirited filly the color of rain. Surrounded by her family, including her gentle sister Doe, and protected by her father, the band stallion, Blue lives a life both harsh and beautiful in the rugged terrain of an undiscovered habitat. That all changes, though, when Blue and Doe are captured by rogue cowboys, setting in motion a chain of events that threatens the very survival of their hidden, secret herd.
This epic journey is not at all what she expected. Joel Vargas can’t believe he’s lost his older brother in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains after surviving their harrowing voyage across the Atlantic. And he can’t shake the feeling that Adam—his only living relative—is in dire trouble. No matter what the cost, he and his band of friends won’t stop until Adam is found. He’s not sure if two Indian women they meet on the way will be a help or hindrance. After the devastating loss of her daughter and husband to a grizzly attack, Elan is desperate to find an escape from her grief. As she and her friend journey from their Nez Perce camp, through the mountains and toward the great river, a band of white men is the last thing she expects to find, especially as winter blows in full force. When the dangers increase, accomplishing Joel’s mission becomes the only hope for all their survival. If the elements don’t consume them, Elan has a feeling life will never be the same for any of them. From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and intense adventure.
In glorious photos and prose, this book celebrates the unique majesty, beauty, and personality of the Appaloosa. Brimming with facts about the breed's history, nature, and physical characteristics, the book is not so much an encyclopedia but a wonderful journey and a feast for the heart, mind and soul.