2KS Mission

"To preserve and concentrate ApHC Foundation bloodlines, by producing people-friendly Classic Appaloosas with a refined Foundation Appaloosa appearance and the ability to perform well in a variety of disciplines. Foundation bloodlines, Appaloosa color and the Indian Shuffle are integral parts of our program".

Note: we use the term "Classic Appaloosa" to describe horses whose breeding is based primarily on ApHC Foundation stock. "Foundation Appaloosa appearance" is one that generally resembles the ApHC "Phippen Horse" model.

2KS will work with other breeders to promote the Classic Appaloosa, while continuing to improve the quality of our horses by selectively breeding Appaloosa to Appaloosa with an emphasis on Foundation bloodlines. We will raise horses having traits consistent with the original Foundation Appaloosas; making them outstanding trail horses that also have the conformation, mind, and natural ability suitable for a variety of performance disciplines. The smooth riding Indian Shuffle gait will be another Appaloosa characteristic found on an increasing number of our horses.

Integrity in all our activities and dealings with others
Humane treatment of horses
Continuous learning and improvement
Respect for others and other viewpoints
Fun!

As stated in our "Mission", the focus of our breeding program is to produce quality horses that have a refined "Appaloosa appearance", as generally defined by the ApHC "Phippen Horse" model.

We breed for recognizable Appaloosa traits and conformation, with an emphasis on those that promote soundness, stamina and smooth gaiting ability. We look for:

• a head in proportion to the rest of the body
• a neck that ties in somewhat high into the shoulder
• a level, moderate length back / top-line
• well-defined withers
• correct body and leg structure for soundness and smooth gaits
• good feet with good-sized, hard hooves
• recognizable Appaloosa color
• and above all a willing, people-friendly disposition.

The smooth riding Indian Shuffle gait is an Appaloosa characteristic that we breed for as a secondary objective.

With all this in mind, we use the Ulrich leopard lines as the core of our breeding program, plus select individuals from the Toby lines and several complementary leopard lines including Starbuck Leopard, Morgans Leopard, Navajo's Candy, and Siri Sheik.

Appaloosas are not our livelihood, but we consider it our responsibility to help insure the integrity and quality of the breed. To that end, we carefully select our breeding stock from among the best Appaloosas and Appaloosa bloodlines. We evaluate breeding results, and utilize limited line breeding to help set desirable characteristics and consistently produce quality Classic Appaloosa foals.