Little Navajo Joe played a starring role in the spread of the Appaloosa breed east of the Mississippi in the early 1960s. Little Navajo Joe (Little FOB (AQHA) x Navajo Turquoise Of AA) was foaled in 1962 at Ericson, Nebraska, from the Joe Hancock line of horses renowned for their performance prowess. Shortly after the colt's birth, breeder John L. Mullins, then of Plainview, Nebraska, accepted a training job in New York and took

Little Navajo Joe and his dam along. He began his show career at age 2, collecting honors in halter, western pleasure, reining and horsemanship. Along with winning his only race start, he earned the reserve high-point performance horse title behind the renowned Tem Pop in 1965. Little Navajo Joe became the horse to beat on the eastern show circuit, eventually facing some of his stiffest competition from his own sons and daughters. He sired 145 registered Appaloosa foals who earned three bronze medallions. Among his notable get are Little Navajo Britches, Joe's Bright Star, Twice As Nice T., and Broadway Joe I. He was named Greater Eastern Appaloosa Regional (GEAR) Premier Sire No. 3 in 1969 and GEAR Supreme Performance Sire No. 2 in 1974. Little Navajo Joe died of natural causes in 1989.