The Cheyenne first saw the Spanish riding horses in 1680, but a Cheyenne prophet named Sweet Medicine had predicted their arrival centuries earlier.

"An animal is going to come to you––he will have round hoofs and a long shaggy tail. He will carry you on his back for long distances."

––Sweet Medicine, Cheyenne prophet

The Cheyenne learned to ride and soon had their own horses, which became a symbol of wealth and power. After the Cheyenne moved onto reservations in the late 1800s, they decorated items like beaded vests and pipe bags with images of horses to recall their history as mounted warriors on the plains.

The buffalo provided for the basic needs of the Cheyenne people. Meat, pemmican, and tallow were used for food. The skins were used to make clothing, tipis, shields, ropes, and bags. Buffalo skulls are still used today in Cheyenne ceremonies.

Among the Cheyenne, the eagle is considered the greatest of all birds. Headdresses of eagle feathers are worn by highly respected and accomplished men. Only the greatest men wear headdresses with long ends called trailers. It is said that when wearing an eagle headdress with a trailer, a man can feel the energy of the eagle throughout his entire body.