Rao Farms Stables, owned and directed by Becky Rao, is managed by Equine Manager, Susan DeChant, a long time friend to Appaloosa horses and the breed. We also breed and show AQHA Quarter horses. Becky and her husband Dr. Kailas Rao purchased the farm in 2001 and have meticulously renovated the old and built many new facilities including a new stable with a large indoor riding arena for the winter excercise and training of the horses. The 256 acres that evolved into Rao Farms took a few years to construct, but the state of the art equine facility is equipped for breeding and all that goes into a comfortable safe environment for the birthing and care of new foals and their dams. Multiple large pastures provide excercise and grazing for the horses. Separate dam and foal corrals are set aside for individual care. The latest in equine elegance is afforded to this stable.
The rolling hills of Richfield Wisconsin and the proximity to the Moraine National Forest make this location a perfect sanctuary for the Appaloosa champions that will be bred and enjoyed for many years to come on this equine paradise. Mares such as Goers Nancy and Bankers Freestyle are assured of wonderful grazing, exercise and care when nurturing new foals.

About the Appaloosa Breed: From the International Museum of the Horse:The Nez Perce Indians of the inland Northwest deserve much of the credit for the Appaloosa horses we have today. As the only Native Americans known to selectively breed their horses, the Nez Perce desired only the strongest, fastest and most sure-footed of mounts.

Claude Thompson, a wheat farmer from Moro, Oregon, realized the importance of preserving the spotted horse breed and in 1938, he established the Appaloosa Horse Club to promote and restore the Appaloosa’s position in the equine world.

While the Nez Perce never called their spotted horses "Appaloosas," the breed’s name comes from either the Palouse River, which flows through the region of eastern Washington and north Idaho where the horses were known to be plentiful or from the Palouse Tribe, whose main village was situated on the Palouse River. White settlers first described the colorful native mounts as "a Palouse horse," which was soon slurred to "Appalousey." The name "Appaloosa" was officially adopted in 1938. Today, over a half million Appaloosas are registered with the Appaloosa Horse Club.

Although Appaloosas are most commonly recognized by their colorful coat patterns, they also have other distinctive characteristics. The four identifiable characteristics are: coat patterns, mottled skin, white sclera, and striped hooves.

The Appaloosa is an equine breed with a color preference. The Appaloosa Horse Club is the breed registry serving an association of members dedicated to collecting, recording and preserving the history and integrity of the breed; improving, enhancing, and promoting the Appaloosa, and honoring the tradition, history and heritage of the breed.