Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did the arrival of horses change bison hunting on the Great Plains?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Plains style — Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains Dancers at the Totah Festival Powwow performing the Northern Tradition dance, a dance inspired by Plains traditions, on September 1, 2007, in Farmington, New Mexico.

The arrival of the horse fundamentally transformed bison hunting on the Great Plains, shifting it from a difficult, often limited endeavor into a highly productive activity that supported a new, nomadic way of life.12

Before the horse, Indigenous hunters often found bison herds nearly impossible to approach or keep pace with on foot. Once mounted, however, hunters could effectively follow, surround, and kill large numbers of animals. This increased mobility allowed tribes to match their movements to the seasonal habits of the bison, which congregated in massive herds during the summer and dispersed into smaller groups during the winter.34

While some hunters initially used bows and arrows for their superior accuracy, many eventually adopted firearms as they became available through trade. This combination of horses and improved weaponry significantly boosted food supplies and allowed for the growth of large, organized encampments during the summer months. This era of equestrian hunting reached its peak around 1800, continuing until the late 19th century when bison populations were decimated by white settlers.435