- The red handprint stands for death of an enemy or stained hands from war; used by many different tribes.
- Bars on the horse's neck means the number of war parties horse and rider have been in together.
- Two triangles, nose to nose, stands for war or campaign; warfare.
- Feather stands for 'Power.'
- Zig-Zag arrow means 'fast' or 'speed' to the horse.
- 'Good Luck' hunting symbol.
- Arrow pointing is a 'Hunt' symbol, meaning luck in finding big game.
- Arrowhead (s) means 'Gift,' as given to another in friendship or love.
- Broken arrow, a 'Peace,' symbol used when settling tribal disputes.
- Animal head with horns, meaning 'Good Journey' usually in the hunt of big game or in search of a new home where game and wood are plentiful.
- Eagle symbol, 'Flight to Safety' horse to carry rider safely to freedom.
- 'Eyes' stands for Many Tribes; usually in war.
- 'Sacred God;' possibly from a vision quest.
Several symbols are explained on the white Foundation Stallion model that came out a few years ago, and the fleabitten grey Indian Pony model. Both had different Indian symbols painted on them.
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Many Native American tribes were introduced to the horse during the 1600s by SPanish explorers. Thereare many legends among the tribes that describe their first contact with the horse. My personal favorite is 'The Sky Dogs.'
Life changed drastically for the Indian with the coming of the horse to North America. The travois was used for many centuries by Native Americans. Dogs were the most common pack animal before the horse (even though tribes also used them for food), a whole new way of life opened up for them. Moving from one home to another took much less time. From California to Missouri, Plains Indians began to put the horse to good use in hunting and in war.
Some Nations excelled at raising some of the finest horses and ponies ever to grace our land. Among the most notable is the Appaloosa by the Nez Perce, in the Northwest. These horses were greatly prized for their unique color patterns and stamina.
Another favorite was the American Bashkir Curly. Though not as flashy as the Appaloosa or Paint, this breed was greatly prized for its long, culry mane and tail hair, used in weaving warm clothing. This breed grew very long hair in winter months, shedding large amounts come spring. The brood mares, once foaled, provided large amounts of milk, enough for their owners as well as their foals - up to three gallons a day!
Today, the American Bashkir Curly is still considered a prize, not only to the Native Americans, but especially to people with allergies. This horse is known as the hypoallergenic breed, mainyl due to the fact that dust and straw do not become entangled in its mane or tail, providing people with allergies a dust free horse to own.
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