[CalamityCowgirl]

What are good breed history type resource books? I am mainly interested in Paints, Appaloosas, Arabians, and Thoroughbreds. What are the best books and where do I get them?

[Haas Horse Farm]

Not sure what you are asking for? Are you wanting the history of the breed itself or the horses themselves?

[CalamityCowgirl]

Breed history

[Haas Horse Farm]

Just bumping this up so ACC can answer....

[Eastowest]

For Appaloosas,
"Spotted Pride" by Frank Holmes (search for Loft publishing-- I think it can be ordered from that website-- its not currently being printed anymore but cpies still exist I believe.)

"The Complete Book of the Appaloosa" by Jan Haddle (Now Jan Haddle Davis) This is out of print and harder to find-- check eBay, or I have a second copy if someone seriously wants to buy one (it will not be cheap-- I did not get a bargain for mine when I bought them ). It was published in 1973 I think. Jan also has some updates in a spiral bound print-off and on CD-- the original book is better, but the updates hare helpful.

"Appaloosa: The Spotted Horse in Art and History" by Francis Haines-- this one is still available from the Appaloosa Horse Club-- appaloosa.com (you may have to email or call 208-882-5578 if its not listed on their site)

Also on the ApHC site above you can find some other Appaloosa stuff including a Hall of Fame book, back issues of the Appaloosa Journal/Appaloosa News in hard copy and on CD, etc. Old Appaloosa News and Journal are good for catching up on what horses were doing what during that time period-- also there are usually a few historical articles per year in them. (You can get back issues on ebay occasionally too, but watch shipping charges.)

"The American Appaloosa Anthology" by Palmer Wagner. This one was publsihed around 10 years ago-- Palmer has some biases and some odd theories about pedigree controversies (or at least he considers them controversies), but the book has a wealth of photos and observations about older bloodlines-- just remember you are reading one man's opinion...

"50 years of Appaloosa History" by Edith Stanger. more about the people and the club but has some horse info and photos as well.

Both of the above are available from the authors I believe--would have to google them-- also occasionally on eBay. Palmer wanted $60-something for his, Edith was around $50-60 on hers as well I think.

Thats for starters-- these are bigger thicker books and more expensive (between $25-$75 and on up) but IMO are good investments to add to an equine history reference library.

Laura Lyon
Eastowest
http://www.eastowest.com

[tlwidener]

Some of Robert Denhardt's books are good for QH history (they include quite a bit of info about the Thoroughbred influence too.)

I have an older book that is great for the breeds you listed. It's called The Horse in the West by Bradley Smith. If you can find it cheap at Amazon or a used bookstore it's worth it. The legends series by Western Horseman are good. Mostly QH, but apps and paints have a lot of QH blood (we call most paints colored QH around here )