The Navajo and the Horse

Before the Navajo had horses, they traveled, fought, and hunted on foot. Once they had horses, they could do all these things on horseback. It became important for men and boys, who did the hunting, to ride well.

Horses could travel faster and farther than people. Now, the Navajo could go farther to trade because their horses could carry heavy bundles of goods. It became important to have many horses. More horses could carry more goods.

With horses, the Navajo had more choices about where to live. They could live farther away from water and their farms. Their horses could carry heavy water bags to their homes.

Horses also changed the way Navajo warriors fought. On horseback, the Navajo could strike swiftly and leave quickly. Thanks to the horse, few Spanish settlers wanted to live on Navajo land.

Navajo Native Americans riding horses, about 1905