 In one 1948 book, the breed was called the "Opelousa horse", described as a "hardy tough breed of Indian and Spanish horse" used by backwoodsmen of the late 18th century to transport goods to New Orleans for sale.By the 1950s, "Appaloosa" was regarded as the correct spelling.The Appaloosa came to the attention of the general public in January 1937 in "Western Horseman" magazine when Francis D. Haines, a history professor from Lewiston, Idaho, published an article describing the breed's history and urging its preservation.