Warhorses of the West: The Warriors Who Rode into Battle

Howdy y’all, Chip Schweiger, here. Welcome to another edition of Way Out West. 

The podcast that takes you on a journey through the stories of the American West, brings you the very best cowboy wisdom, and celebrates the cowboys and cowgirls who are feeding a nation. 

The westward expansion of the US brought with it bloody and intense clashes between US Army Cavalry troops and native peoples who saw their land slipping away from them. 

It also fostered a bond between horse and rider that went beyond words. 

A partnership forged in battle and sealed with trust on both sides.

The kind of partnership that could mean the difference between life and death. 

So, today on the show, we’re not just talking about battles won or lost, but about the loyalty and courage that made those horses more than just beasts of burden—they were legends in their own right.

A tale of devotion and destiny—of warriors and their warhorses thundering across the plains.

A story of heartbeats and hoofbeats, of courage and sacrifice beneath the endless Western sky. 

About an animal that took the US westward, and also helped indigenous people push back against westward expansion: the warhouse.

After the episode, check out the show notes at WayOutWestPod.com/warhorse

[MUSIC]

Howdy and welcome back. 

Today, we’re saddling up to explore the battlefields of the Old West—but not just any battlefield. We’re talking about the four-legged soldiers who carried warriors to glory and survival: the warhorses of the American Plains.

And this is an episode I’ve been wanting to do for a while, because if you know me, you know I like most horses more than I like most people.

Kinda kidding. Kinda not.

When you think of the Old West, chances are you picture a cowboy horseback, maybe chasing down a stray steer or charging into a gunfight. 

But for the Native American tribes of the Great Plains, the horse was more than just transportation—it was a weapon of war, a status symbol, and a partner in battle.

The Comanche, Lakota, and other Plains tribes became some of the best horsemen in history, practically born in the saddle. 

Their warriors could fire arrows at full gallop, weaving through enemy lines with deadly precision. 

The horse transformed warfare on the plains, making these tribes nearly unstoppable in battle.

So, how did they get so good?

It all started with the Spanish. 

When Spanish explorers brought the first horses to North America in the 1500s, 

Native tribes quickly recognized their power. 

By the 1700s, the horse culture had spread like wildfire across the Plains. 

Horses didn’t just make hunting buffalo easier—they made raiding enemy camps faster, hit-and-run tactics deadlier, and tribal warriors almost untouchable.

For the Comanche, mastering the horse was like a cheat code for dominating the Southern Plains. 

They became so skilled that even U.S. Army officers admitted Comanche warriors could ride and fight better than any cavalry they had seen.

But the tribes weren’t the only ones relying on horses.

Speaking of skill, not all horses were created equal for the battlefield. 

Some breeds became legends in their own right. 

Mustangs, with their stamina and toughness, were a favorite for Native warriors. 

Descended from Spanish Barbs, Mustangs were fast, agile, and could survive on sparse grazing.

The Quarter Horse, known for explosive speed over short distances, was a favorite among cowboys and cavalry alike. 

Its muscular build and quick acceleration made it perfect for battlefield tactics where speed was required.

Meanwhile, Thoroughbreds—lighter and faster—were often chosen for scouting missions and couriers.

Bloodlines mattered too. 

Horses bred for courage and endurance passed those traits down, making them invaluable in a fight. 

The Nez Perce tribe even developed the Appaloosa, known for its spotted coat and sure-footedness, perfect for rugged terrain.

So, when it came to picking a warhorse, it wasn’t just about speed—it was about heart.

Enter the U.S. Cavalry. 

For soldiers stationed on the frontier, horses were a lifeline. 

Cavalry units relied on speed and shock—charging into battle with sabers raised, 

hoping to break enemy lines with sheer force. 

But fighting the tribes on horseback wasn’t easy.

Soldiers quickly learned that fighting mounted Comanche or Lakota warriors was nothing like European-style cavalry charges. 

Native riders could split and regroup in seconds, using the horse’s speed to strike and vanish. 

It was guerilla warfare at a full gallop.

Battles like the Battle of Little Bighorn showed just how powerful mounted warriors could be. 

Crazy Horse and his warriors, mounted on swift ponies, outmaneuvered Custer’s troops, proving that battlefield strategy on the Plains was a whole different game.

So, let’s take a quick break and when we come back, we’ll talk more about the Battle of Little Bighorn, as well as the demise of the great warhouse. Be right back

Welcome back. Now, let's dig a little deeper into one of the most infamous clashes of the Old West—the Battle of Little Bighorn. 

It was June 25, 1876, when Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the Seventh Cavalry into what he thought was a quick strike against a small encampment. 

Instead, he rode straight into the largest gathering of Native American warriors ever assembled on the Plains—

thousands of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho, led by chiefs like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

What made this battle unique wasn't just the numbers—it was the strategy. 

The Native warriors, mounted on swift, agile ponies, executed lightning-fast strikes, hitting Custer's troops from all sides. 

Many of these horses were smaller and lighter than the cavalry mounts, but their speed and endurance turned the tide. 

Warriors could lie flat against their ponies' sides to dodge bullets, all while launching arrows with deadly accuracy.

Custer's cavalry, armed with single-shot carbines, was outmaneuvered at every turn. 

The troopers, burdened by heavier gear and horses, couldn't match the agility of the Native riders. 

In a matter of hours, Custer and over 200 of his men were wiped out—a defeat that echoed across the nation.

The Battle of Little Bighorn wasn't just a military disaster for the U.S. Army—

it was a testament to how mastery of horseback warfare could alter the course of history. 

It proved that on the plains, the true power was in the saddle.

 But the golden age of the warhorse couldn’t last forever. 

As railroads sliced through the plains and repeating rifles replaced bows, the balance of power shifted. 

The horse, once a symbol of freedom and power for the tribes, became a target.

The U.S. government’s strategy to break the tribes included slaughtering thousands of their horses, aiming to cripple their mobility and fighting power. 

It was a brutal end to a chapter defined by courage, speed, and the bond between warrior and horse.

Ok, we’re almost done for this week, but before we go, we’ve got one more thing

[BULL SOUND]

Yep, that distinctive call from Buster the Bull means it’s time for the cowboy glossary term of the week. 

And this week’s term is a Remount. A remount is fresh horse kept ready to replace an exhausted mount. 

In the heat of battle or on long cavalry campaigns, having a remount could mean the difference between survival and defeat. 

Native warriors and U.S. cavalry alike relied on fast, fresh horses to outmaneuver their enemies.

So, now you know what we mean when you hear the term remount.

[OUTRO MUSIC]

Well, that’s all for this week. 

Next time you see a cowboy or an Indian galloping across the screen, remember the warhorses who carried warriors into battle and who helped shape the destiny of the West. 

They weren’t just beasts of burden—they were legends in their own right. Way Out West, a cowboy or warrior was only as good as his horse—and a smart rider valued that partnership.

Thanks for ridin' along on this episode. 

If you enjoyed the ride, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. 

Until next time, remember to check your cinch tight and keep fresh water in front of your horse.

We’ll see ya down the road.