The Nez Perce lived northeast of Oregon and their lands included fertile, sheltered river valleys. The Palouse river was one of their principle areas, and Appaloosa is a derivative of "a Palouse horse". They were skillful horse breeders and practiced a strict, selective policy. The result was a distinctive, practical, work horse that had the advantage of color, though others, like Diamond, can be nearly solid in color. The Nez Perce Indians bred their horses as practical, hardy and versatile mounts for war and hunting. They bred horses that were sensible, with a tractable temperament, endless stamina and endurance.