WAR PONY
A HORSE IS POETRY IN MOTION.
Anonymous
Anonymous
First Nations understood that the wild freedom of the Horse can be harnessed and used to the benefit of the tribe. This understanding comes only when man and beast enter a silent contract - acknowledging mutual respect and awareness of responsibility to each other. This type of relationship between rider and horse was especially visible in the artwork and photographs exemplifying First Nations and their horses. Military men often called First Nations horsemen "the greatest light cavalry in history." The horse and rider team were seen as godlike beings and were extremely powerful.
Preparing themselves for battle is a mental, spiritual and physical ceremony. To honour the majestic strength, loyalty and intelligence of their horses, First Nations people often painted their war pony with the same patterns and colours used for their own face, body and weapons. A painted horse carried a message depicting his achievements, acts of heroism, his various spirit guides or the most important events in his life.
Painted symbols evolved within each tribe which were uniquely theirs. However, common symbols were understood across tribes and build upon each other. For example, circles around one or both eyes and long zig-zag lines symbolising lightning meant the horse had incredible vision and could draw lightning's tremendous power and speed to terrify his enemies. Certain colours were also used to represent specific meanings and symbolism, this was often dependent on the natural resources available to make the paint. The effect of a painted warrior and his horse was often stunning and made a striking impression upon all those who witnessed them. It was a statement of their teamwork and psyche.
"When equally matched, we can offer battle; When fewer in number, be ready to evade them; When unequal to the match, be ready to avoid them." - Sun Tzu from of Strategy
Preparing themselves for battle is a mental, spiritual and physical ceremony. To honour the majestic strength, loyalty and intelligence of their horses, First Nations people often painted their war pony with the same patterns and colours used for their own face, body and weapons. A painted horse carried a message depicting his achievements, acts of heroism, his various spirit guides or the most important events in his life.
Painted symbols evolved within each tribe which were uniquely theirs. However, common symbols were understood across tribes and build upon each other. For example, circles around one or both eyes and long zig-zag lines symbolising lightning meant the horse had incredible vision and could draw lightning's tremendous power and speed to terrify his enemies. Certain colours were also used to represent specific meanings and symbolism, this was often dependent on the natural resources available to make the paint. The effect of a painted warrior and his horse was often stunning and made a striking impression upon all those who witnessed them. It was a statement of their teamwork and psyche.
"When equally matched, we can offer battle; When fewer in number, be ready to evade them; When unequal to the match, be ready to avoid them." - Sun Tzu from of Strategy
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War Pony Painting is a ceremony used by Native American People to prepare their horse for battle. It involved the painting of the horse with symbols.
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War Pony and Budo: The practice of War Pony painting develops:
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[1] https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-culture/horse-war-paint.htm
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