A walkaloosa is an American gaited horse, developed in the western United States by cross-breeding Appaloosas with various gaited breeds. This combination produces a showy, high-stepping horse that can be exhibited in various performance events such as shows and driving competitions.
The defining characteristic of a walkaloosa is its unique pattern of leopard spotted coat, which it inherits from its Appaloosa parent. Along with this distinctive coloring comes footfall patterns consisting of four "natural" basic gaits - the slow gait (sometimes known as a rack), the stepping pace, the fox trot and the canter/lope - to create smoother riding experiences for riders while using less energy. Additionally, some Walkaloesa horses may also possess additional specialty gaits such as running walk and singlefooting.
Other traits found in Walkaloesa horses often include thick manes and tails used for decoration or accessing terrain; long ears for improved hearing ability; strong hooves that are particularly adept at gripping slick surfaces; wide range vocalization abilities from heavy breathing to singing whistles; keen eyesight to spot predators quickly; small heads with short muzzles giving them better agility when maneuvering through tight spaces; good conformation enabling them to move over great distances quickly without tiring easily; and calm personalities making them ideal trail horses.
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