The Shoshone and the Horse
The Shoshone obtained horses from the Spaniards in the 16th century and became the first people in the Northwest with horses.
Horses became incredibly important to Shoshone life and greatly improved their nomadic lifestyle. With effective transportation the Shoshone could more easily move their camps, carry larger loads of possessions and move faster and farther to hunt buffalo.
Horses also gave the Shoshone power over other Native Tribes by increased territory and trade opportunities. Horses allowed the Shoshone to expand their territory into what is now Canada and successfully push back the Blackfeet tribes in the North. Shoshone traded horses with neighboring tribes in the Northwest including the Blackfeet, Nez Perce, Cayuse, Spokan, and Bannock tribes (MacGregor, 19)
Shoshone Tribe 