Nez Perce Horse
About The Breed:
It was in the 1700's that horses first arrived in the lives of the Nez Perce Tribe. They became famous for breeding the Appalosa, now one of the most popular breeds in the US. They were one of the first tribes to use selective breeding techniques with their horses.
The quality of their horses was even noted by famous explorer, Meriwether Lewis:
The journal of Lewis and Clark in February 15, 1806 “Their horses appear to be of an excellent race: they are lofty, elegantly formed, active and durable: in short many of them look like fine English horses and would make a figure in any country".
The Nez Perce War of 1877 resulted in a separation of the tribe and their prized Appaloosas. The Appaloosa became a “lost” breed until 1937 when an article written by a history professor from Idaho was published in the Western Horseman magazine. Over a century after the war, the equestrian legacy of the Nez Perce tribe was re-invigorated with the arrival of four stallions. Four Akhal-Teke stallions were donated to the tribe. They crossed them with the Appaloosa to start a new breed. A breed that would honor the tribe's history and build new possibilities for the future. This unique new breed is called the Nez Perce Horse. There are a few specialized breeders that occasionally offer horses for sale, like Falling Feather Farm in Idaho. They are bred to be strong and capable athletes. From the trail to the show ring... their incredible potential is still being discovered.
Official Breed Representative:
Name: Storm
Breed Origin: USA
Gender: Gelding
Registry: Nez Perce Horse Registry
Owned By: Garden Springs Farm
Filmed at: Falling Feather Farm in Juliaetta, Idaho & Garden Springs Farm in Lapwai, Idaho.
“The idea was to blend the Appaloosa’s physical attributes of a well muscled horse as well as the distinctive spotted “blanket” to the lean and elegant Akhal-teke horse of Turkmenistan.”
Watch the Quest Episode:
The Nez Perce Horse was also featured in my rare horse breed article on Horse Rookie.
