Expert Horse Handers - the Comanche

The Comanche (Kohmahts) did not arrive in the Southwest until the early 1700s but they quickly became the region's terror to everyone in the Southwest.  The chief source of their power was their total mastery of the horse.

Painter George Catlin has said the moment a Comanche "lays his hand upon his horse, his face even becomes handsome, he gracefully flies away like a different being."

A Comanche would tame his wild horse by lasso and would run with the horse until it tired and become slower.  George describes the process:  "he fastens a pair of hobbles on the horses forefeet and a noose around the jaw.  When the horses' effort exhausts, it yields to the power of man.  He gradually advances until able to put his hand of the animal's nose and eyes.  At length to breathe into its nostrils and soon becomes docile. Great care is taken not to subdue his spirit."

The training of horses occupied most of the Comanche's time.  They worked on maneuvers such as riding on the side of the horse, hanging by a neck halter with one heel over the horse's back to steady him.  From this position he would aim an arrow at the opponent or his 14 foot lance. 

No tribes matched the Comanche on horseback!

By 1750 Comanche controlled most of Apache territory in central Texas and eastern New Mexico.  They grew fat and prosperous in a region where buffalo were plentiful.  They raided Spanish and Indians at will.  Spain never managed to subdue the Southwest Indian tribes.

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Today in Pioneer History: On June 30, 1876,  the wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Big Horn reach the steamboat Far West after a slow two-day march.