Hoofs and Wheels: Horse Power - Virtual Exhibit

• Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center
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• Wagons
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John Aucock near Ft. Bliss Cabinet card photograph Photographer unknown, ca. 1900 2003.121.1	In addition to working cattle and pulling carriages and wagons, horses were also used for general transportation. This photograph illustrates the use of the horse as transportation by farmers, town dwellers, and other non-cowboys. This gentleman is wearing what appears to be a woolen suit, as opposed to the denim pants that would be worn by a working cowboy. The horse has a very light saddle and bridle not at all appropriate for a working horse. In some parts of the country, especially Missouri, mules were favored over horses as riding animals; mules could also pull a wagon or be used as pack animals.

This prosperous and well-dressed young Comanche man has otter fur hair wraps with horsehair extensions, a Marlin rifle, and a horse with a tooled western stock saddle. Commercial stock saddles were in use among the Plains Indians as early as the 1850s and were sometimes requested as part of annuity payments from the government. In 1895, a hand-tooled saddle like the one pictured in the photograph would cost $30 to $40, which is the equivalent of around $700 today. Horses are important in Comanche culture and the Comanche were among the first Plains peoples to obtain horses and adopt a mounted lifestyle. The Comanche were also well known for their ability to capture and breed horses. Although this photograph was taken during the reservation period, this man’s pride in a well-equipped horse, both as transportation and status symbol, is evident.	Winter dress [Young Comanche man with horse and western saddle] Cabinet card photograph George A. Addison, Fort Sill, OT, ca. 1895 2004.110.1.35

Bound for Pikes Peak Mounted photographic print W. E. Hook, Colorado Springs, CO, ca. 1895 2002.166	This group of young women is going on a camping trip up Pikes Peak in Colorado. Donkeys are used both as saddle animals and pack animals because they are sure-footed on mountain trails; for instance, donkeys are sometimes used for trail rides into the Grand Canyon. Interesting details in the photograph include the Pikes Peak Trail toll sign (with the toll amount defaced) and what appears to be a water or sewer pipe on the left side of the image, perhaps for some upcoming construction project. The women are all wearing dresses and riding sidesaddle and are carrying switches to prod the donkeys forward. The road to the top of Pikes Peak is still a toll road, but today you can drive your car.

This group of hunters is getting their pack train ready after a successful hunt near Coulter Lake in Colorado. The hunters are riding horses, while mules are used as pack animals. These mules are wearing pack saddles with hip and rump straps for extra stability, which is useful because these animals are being used to carry a variety of items: pack bags, tenting, pelts, horns, and skins. Before setting up a pack train, it is important to know whether you will be traveling a good trail or a poor trail. If on a well maintained trail, the pack train should be “tailed up” or linked with rope, but if a poorly maintained or dangerous trail is anticipated, the pack animals should be loose—no point in losing the whole train because one animal stumbles into a ravine. These hunters must anticipate a poor or dangerous trail because these mules are not tailed up.	Jack trail leaving Coulter Lake Mounted gelatin silver print Photographer unknown, ca. 1890 2002.137.1