Portrait of a Friend

The Indian Horse

The horse has played a large part in the history of Native American people, especially the Plains Indians.  The horse, once acquired from the Spanish explorers, changed many things in the lives of the plains tribes.  Hunting parties depended on the skills of their horses to hunt buffalo and other game.  They used the horse to move them and their belongings to their winter and summer homes.   Owning horses made a man powerful and wealthy and horse trading was a common event between tribes, not mention outright raids on another tribe's herds.  But beyond all this, a horse was a friend.

The Indian horse was very much like the people who raised it.  It possessed uncommon intelligence, patience, loyalty, strength and instincts for survival.  Sure footed and strong bodied, the Indian horse could survive under the worst of conditions.  It withstood the harsh winters and hot summers, often with little water and food and no shelter from the elements.  Its nimble feet could find footing over the loose stones and steep trails of the Black Hills and wind its way down the treacherous paths of the Grand Canyon.  There were few places that it could not carry its rider safely.

The bond between Indian and horse is one of the strongest between species.  They lived together, played together, worked together and often died together.  There was a language spoken between rider and horse that used no words.  The shift of weight, nudge of a knee, or touch of a hand were all the commands ever needed to convey the rider's intention and the horse responded with unerring accuracy.  In a sense, they became one in body and mind, making Native Americans some of the finest horsemen in the world.

The following page has some of the best images of Native Americans and their horses found on the web.  Many of the prints and paintings are available for purchase on the sites where they are found.  Clicking on the small image will allow you to view a larger image and take you to the site of origin.   Please take time to view the other works of art available on most of these sites.

*Image used on this page is from the work of J. D. Challenger.
  More of his work can be found at Koshkonong Galleries, Ltd.

Spirit Voices
Copyright©1997