The Sioux used a winter count to record their history, a picture drawn each year on a hide for the most important event of the year. For the year 1708, there is a picture of a horse--the first they had seen. Eight years later, the picture below shows the first use of a horse for fighting in 1716, when a horseback rider speared a boy near his tipi. In 1758, the Dakota Sioux had enough mounted warriors to fight, but due to inexperience on horseback, did not kill any enemy. A picture from 1803 indicates an escaped horse was seen with metal horseshoes, owned by a French trader at Ft. Pierre. The number of horses grew in sufficient numbers that by 1812 on the winter count of Owns a Yellow Shield wild horses were caught for the first time, pictured with a stretched rope (shown on our website).
Horses were brought by Spanish invaders of Mexico and a few years later De Soto brought the horse into Florida. When Cortez landed in 1519, he reported that Indians he encountered were "terrified at the monstrous apparition as they supposed the rider and the horse, which they had never before seen, to be one and the same". In 1541 Coronado introduced the horse to the Indians of the Great Plains. The Lakota Sioux considered this new creature as a sacred animal and named it "sun'ka wakan" or mysterious dog.
The Spanish enslaved natives to care for their horses, but never allowed them to ride their horses; knowing mounted Indians would pose a threat. Horses were carefully guarded since each animal was worth between $800 to $1000. Resentment against Spanish rule grew, until ignited under the leadership of an Indian named Pope, the Spanish were driven from the Southwest in 1680. Cattle, horses, and property suddenly became available to Native Americans. For the first time the Indians had horses, but lacked the skill of riding. It is reported some first learned to ride by holding poles on each side of the horse to keep from falling off. After learning to ride, it was realized the value of the horse, so trade began northward from tribe to tribe. Loose horses, called "mustangs", ran free to increase into great numbers. Running mustangs sounded like thunder, so became associated by Lakota with the Thunder Being. Even hair from the horse was believed to have power and was attached to items as "medicine" (wotawe) to offer protection.
The Spanish and Portuguese horses were bred and ridden as war horses, using athletic maneuvers in battle to attack an opponent, and offensive moves to avoid being hit. The horse had courage to tolerate the noise of battle and stamina to run over great distances. This horse was principally bred in Andaluz(ia), Spain and Lusitano in Portugal, with some coming from the Barbary coast. The Iberian horse was used to chase and fight wild bulls in the countryside, so their agile moves enabled them to evade a charging bull. Its smooth gait allowed Spanish ladies to ride side-saddle with comfort. The traits of the Spanish/Iberian horse brought to America proved ideal for Indians as a mount to battle enemies. It could carry a warrior great distances without tiring the rider. In chasing buffalo, which might prove a three-mile run, this horse had endurance, yet quickness to jump sideways to evade horns of a buffalo.
Warfare on horseback involved "counting coup", striking or hitting an opponent. Killing was considered less courageous than touching an enemy, since the foe could then strike back. Thought more daring than fighting in war, was stealing horses from an enemy's camp. The best horses were kept tethered by the owner's tipi. Less valuable horses were with a herd far from the village. To capture the best mounts, a warrior needed to sneak into an enemy camp without being caught. The horses brought back were given away to poor and elderly, heightening esteem and praise for a successful warrior.
In raids by the Lakota, shown on winter counts, great numbers and variety of horses captured from their enemies are pictured. In 1822, Dog stole 70 horses from the Crow, each track representing 10. Sitting Bear in 1840 took 200 horses from the Flathead. The following year, Feather in the Ear stole 30 spotted ponies from Crow Indians.
The White Horse Owners Society began around 1870 to honor Lakota leaders by painting war exploits on their horses. A white horse enabled a red handprint, indicating an enemy killed, and other symbols to be seen. This group had a special pipe to smoke at society meetings, carved in the likeness of a running horse wearing a saddle blanket. The pipe had horsehair on the porcupine quilled stem as a medicine object, asking protection from the Thunder Being, believed to have brought the horse to the Lakota. When members paraded for celebrations dressed in finery and painted war exploits, songs were sung to honor horses and riders. In turn, riders were obliged to offer gifts to those singing. The society ended in 1920, when those members still living had little to offer back those singing.
The Lakota were proud of their horses and embellished them with beads and quillwork. When a band of Sioux went to visit another camp, they would stop to put on finery and decorate their horses before riding into the village.
The wealth of a Lakota was in the number of owned horses, which were given to a needy person or to honor someone. Pictured below is a boy wearing a symbolic war bonnet before his naming ceremony. The horse with beaded mask will be given away at the conclusion of the event.
By about 1840, few pure Indian ponies existed, having been crossed with heavier draft-type horses to encourage Native people to plow and become farmers. To restore the original, first horse of the Plains Indian, a breeding program was begun by Roger Thorp and Larry Belitz, named Iberian War Horse. One of the stallions in the breeding is Encantador, whose sire was ridden in the Portuguese bull fighting arena. The picture speaks for itself of an agile, animated horse of regal stature.
By Larry Belitz, Plains Indian Material Culture Consultant