Many variations and color combinations can be found.  The majority of Appaloosas will keep changing their base color more or less over the years, but keep the dark spots and occasionally grow some extra spots.

Should your Appaloosa roan heavy within its first two years of life and also lose spots in the process--your Appaloosa is carrying the graying gene and will eventually turn totally white.  These horses should not be used for breeding stock, as it is hereditary and will harm your color production.  Mostly, these foals are born solid color with a white ring around the outside of the eye(s).  This is the first indication of the roaning process your foal will experience.  Other foals are born very loud and heavily spotted, but within the first two years of life will totally change to an undesirable white, becoming very hard to sell.  (Breeding with a gray Arabian or Quarter horse can get the gene into your breeding program).

Remember--Color is what you breed for--and Color is what will sell your Appaloosa.

Appaloosas come in many different coat patterns, and no two are ever alike.  This is what makes raising Appaloosas fun, for the breeder never knows what his next foal will be colored like.  Many breeders have found over the years a combination to mate certain Appaloosa stallions to certain Appaloosa mares, and most of the time, the foals will be colored.  A certain percentage of foals resulting from Appaloosa to Appaloosa mating are born solid, but will color with age.

It is a misconception that a Leopard foal will be born every time two Leopard Appaloosas are mated.  Many times these matings produce a solid foal, and often these solid foals will not color at a later age.  Color does not always produce color; many generations of genes will come together and no certain rules apply.

The discussion on how to produce color has been many, and just about this many people have declared to have found the secret--on one has ever found the perfect answer.

A solid Appaloosa born of two Appaloosa parents is one of your best investments into your breeding program.  Your solids (not out crosses to other breeds) will enhance your color and will keep your color vibrant in your herd, and if bred to a strong Appaloosa stallion, will produce color every time.

To understand the Appaloosa and its coloring process will take many years of intense observation and study on the the breeders' and owners' part.

It is not easily understood, and some folks may never understand--if you have the "gift" to see, the day will come where everything will fall into perspective for you.