The image of American Indians on horseback is iconic, but indigenous populations didn’t actually encounter horses until the 15th century, when Europeans ironically brought them to America as weapons of conquest. The Comanche adopted the horse as an important ally to help protect their way of life. Comanche used the horse to hunt and for strength in battle, and on horseback Comanche were able to remain mobile enough to avoid the impact of European diseases. But in 1875 the U.S. began targeting these horses, which were by then integral to Comanche identity.

Despite the European conquest the Comanche are still here, with 15,000 members, and the spirit of the horse remains sacred.