Why did John Wayne ride and Appaloosa in El Dorado?

Answer 1

That horse was the director's idea. He was very flashy but was an airhead and John Wayne hated him. I think this was the movie where JW backed that Appaloosa over a wooden bridge. I don't know if this is correct but I think they had to replace that horse 1/2 way through the filming because it was such an idiot. add: I'm thinking the director was Howard Hawkes and I had heard that he actually owned that particular horse. Don't know if that is true or not.