The Utes call themselves the people of the horse. As the first unconquered tribe to obtain horses and livestock, they became respected warriors of the Southwest. The Utes quickly became known for their great horsemanship skills and were responsible for spreading horses among other tribes in the Plains, Plateau and the Great Basin. At one time every child growing up on the reservation knew how to ride a horse; it was a point of pride. Handling horses was both a tradition, a survival skill and a practical way of transportation. The horse and its essential role in the history, culture and economy of the Ute people are revealed in these historical photos from the museum¡¯s permanent exhibit. They tell the stories of how the horse transformed Ute peoples from hunter-gatherers living in small family groups to tribes that moved at will over hundreds of miles, trading, hunting, raiding and growing stronger.
Beck G
