How did the horse transform Native American societies after its introduction during the Columbian Exchange?

The introduction of the horse during the Columbian Exchange dramatically transformed Native American societies, particularly those on the Great Plains. Horses significantly increased mobility and productivity, enabling many Plains communities to adopt a nomadic lifestyle centered on bison hunting. This shift was so profound that historians often divide Plains history into periods before and after the horse's arrival. The horse, acquired through trade and from wild herds, allowed for more efficient hunting and travel, fundamentally altering subsistence patterns and social structures.1234