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They probably used them for transportation.

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Answer: The horse (chii in Crow) was certainly used for transporting people, tipi poles and covers, equipment, weapons and much more, but there were also many other uses.

Horses were used in hunting buffalo and other large game animals; a "buffalo runner" was specially trained to gallop very close to an adult buffalo (bison) so the hunter could shoot an arrow into the correct part of the animal. The horse must not flinch or shy away from the huge horns and must be controlled via the rider's legs, so he can use both hands for the bow and arrows.

Horses were used in warfare - a specially fast horse would be highly prized and never used for any other purpose. Such horses were painted with ritual markings and had their tails tied up in a knot, often decorated with feathers. Favourite horses would not be kept with the main herd, away from camp, but tied to the owner's tipi where it would be safe from enemy horse thieves.

Horses were also a measure of a man's status and wealth. The Crow warrior Two Leggings told how he was initially "very poor" (meaning he had few horses); after several horse raids against enemy tribes he was able to gather his own large herd. He wished to marry a young lady called Takes the Shield and offered some very fine captured horses to her father; he refused for some time but finally agreed. This was a usual custom among all Plains tribes; the horses would compensate the father for the loss of a daughter who would be responsible for much physical work around camp.

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14y ago

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