Wichita in Sedgwick County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Way of the Horse

A Race of Mounted Warriors

— Plains Indians Life, Beliefs and Practices —

Way of the Horse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011

1. Way of the Horse Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Horses were introduced by the Europeans in the 18th century. They were seen by the Indians as a creature similar to the dog, subservient to man. The Plains people therefore called the animals "big dogs." However, with the horse came new values and a more complex way of living. Indian families measured their wealth by the number of horses they owned. Tribes would count their history from the time they acquired the horse.

Seized or gained in trade, the horse altered the culture of the Plains Indians. No longer a people who moved on foot, they were now a race of mounted hunters and warriors. These strong, swift animals allowed the Plains Indians the luxury of moving several miles a day and ensured their ability to follow the buffalo herds. For a migratory culture, the horse was a key to survival.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Native Americans.

Location. 37° 41.493′ N, 97° 20.994′ W. Marker is in Wichita, Kansas, in Sedgwick County. The marker is on the Keeper of the Plains plaza, at the confluence

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of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers, about 500 feet ESE of the Mid-America All-Indian Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 650 North Seneca Street, Wichita KS 67203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eagles (here, next to this marker); Chiefs (here, next to this marker); Ceremonial Pipes (here, next to this marker); Tipis (here, next to this marker); Dream Animals (a few steps from this marker); Ceremony (a few steps from this marker); Keeper of the Plains (a few steps from this marker); Warriors (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wichita.

Also see . . .
1. Indian Horse Culture. Legends of America website entry (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. Mid-America All-Indian Museum, Wichita. Museum website homepage (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

3. Keeper of the Plains Plaza. 360 Wichita website entry (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Indian Horse Distribution Map image. Click for more information.

Via Unknown, unknown

2. Indian Horse Distribution Map

Spanish Colonial Horse and the Plains Indian Culture website entry
Click for more information.

Keeper of the Plains Plaza Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

3. Keeper of the Plains Plaza Markers

(l-r) Dream Animals, Tipis, Ceremonial Pipes, Chiefs, Eagles, and Way of the Horse

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on February 5, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on June 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.