Horse
Pronunciation:
Walk-ah-loo'-sah
Breed Description:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse is a gaited horse with appaloosa coloring. The Walkaloosa has an intermediate gait between the walk and trot, similar to the 'running walk' of the Tennessee Walker.
Temperament:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse has an excellent temperament, and is one of the most trainable of gaited horse breeds, and very suitable for novice riders.
Height:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse is usually 14.2 to 15.2 hands.
Weight:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse weighs between 800 and 1200 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse has no breed-related health concerns.
Living Conditions:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse is hardier than most gaited breeds, and can be kept outdoors in most climates.
Exercise:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse is a willing horse, and enjoys regular training and work.
Life Expectancy:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse normally lives into the late twenties.
Grooming:
The Walkaloosa breed of horse is normally kept with a natural appearance, but show horses may be groomed appropriately for their competitive disciplines.
Origin:
Although the Walkaloosa Registry is fairly new, the Walkaloosa horse has been around for centuries. Its ancestry is believed to trace both to the Appaloosa of the Nez Perce Indians of the northwest United States, and descendants of the Spanish gaited horses of the Conquistadors who reached that area in the 18th century. This means that the Walkaloosa shares its ancestors with latin gaited horses like the Paso Fino. Although it is distinct from the common Appaloosas, after the founding of the Appaloosa Horse Club in 1938 the gaited spotted horses were lumped with all other spotted horses and called Appaloosas. It is only very recently that the Walkaloosa is being recognized again as a distinct breed.
