Horse Mask
(Plains), 20th Century
Native-tanned leather, wool, brass bells, thread, glass beads, feathers, sinew
Eiteljorg Museum.Gift: Courtesy of Harrison Eiteljorg.89.32.19

Horses
Youngsters shimmied up the legs of a horse as soon as they were able.Often, Native American children were fully horse-trained by the age of six or seven. Today, while many still own and ride horses, a horse of another color - the car - has become just as desirable.

Horse Equipment
The red and black colors on this horse mask suggest the Native American recognition of the opposites of life.The feathers on the bridle bar might be horse medicine, possibly used to give the horse swiftness of flight.

The Spanish brought the horse and related equipment in the 1500s.Can you find evidence of how Native Americans adapted this new animal and its equipment to their lifestyle?

My Horse, Fly Like a Bird

My horse, fly like a bird
To carry me far
From the arrows of my enemies,
And I will tie red ribbons
To your streaming hair.

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (Lakota)
Adapted from a Lakota warrior's song to his horse.

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