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Why did horse stealing become an important reason for raiding on the Great Plains?

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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 introduction of the horse fundamentally transformed the lives of Indigenous peoples on the Great Plains, significantly increasing human mobility and productivity. As these societies shifted toward a nomadic economy centered on hunting bison, horses became essential assets for survival and economic success.123

Horse stealing became a primary motivation for raiding because horses served as both a practical necessity and a vital measure of social standing. Within many Plains societies, such as the Oceti Sakowin, men acquired status by performing brave deeds in warfare, and horses obtained during raids served as tangible evidence of a warrior's valor. Consequently, raiding was not only a means to acquire the resources necessary for a nomadic lifestyle but also a culturally significant way for individuals to demonstrate courage and earn prestige within their communities.3