For centuries, the rolling grasslands of the Pacific Northwest resonated with the thunder of hooves – the hooves of a horse unlike any other. This was the Ma’amin, the horse of the Nez Perce people, also known as the Nimiipu. More than just a mode of transportation, the Ma’amin was the cornerstone of the Nez Perce society, an embodiment of their skill, resilience, and deep connection to the land. The Nez Perce were unique among the indigenous people of North America; they were the only tribe known to selectively breed horses for specific traits, culminating in an equine partner revered for its racing prowess, unparalleled endurance, and unwavering stamina. This careful cultivation transformed their society, fostering an economy that thrived on the demand for their exceptional horses, earning them legendary acclaim far beyond their ancestral lands.
The story of the Ma’amin is interwoven with the history of the Nez Perce people themselves. Their relationship with the horse began in the 18th century, transforming their traditional lifestyle into one deeply intertwined with equine culture. Recognizing the immense potential of the horse, the Nez Perce embarked on a journey of selective breeding, carefully choosing animals that exhibited the qualities they valued most. This meticulous process resulted in a distinct type of horse, the Ma’amin, perfectly adapted to the rugged terrain and demanding lifestyle of the Nez Perce.
A Breed Defined by Excellence
The Ma’amin, meaning "the horse of our people" in the Nez Perce language, was more than just a random collection of traits. It was a testament to the Nez Perce’s understanding of equine genetics and their dedication to refining the breed. Explorers, traders, and neighboring tribes quickly recognized the exceptional qualities of these horses, actively seeking them out for their own needs. The rich grasslands of the Palouse region provided ample forage for the Ma’amin to thrive, and their numbers swelled into the tens of thousands.
These horses were highly versatile and adapted to many uses. Some resembled the "English courser," prized for their lean build, clean limbs, and long, elegant necks – ideal for racing and hunting buffalo across the open plains. Others were more heavily boned and muscular, built for strength and stamina, serving as reliable pack animals and workhorses for the family. The Ma’amin displayed a captivating array of colors, from solid chestnuts, blacks, bays, and roans to striking patterns like pied, blanketed, frosted, and the distinctive leopard-spotted coat that would later become synonymous with the Appaloosa breed. The selectively bred Ma’amin became a symbol of prestige and prosperity for the Nez Perce.
The Flight of 1877: A Testament to Endurance
The Ma’amin’s legacy is inextricably linked to one of the most poignant and dramatic events in Nez Perce history: the flight of 1877. Faced with the United States government’s unjust demand to relinquish their ancestral homeland in the Wallowa Valley and relocate to a shrinking reservation, the Nez Perce were forced to make a heartbreaking choice. A series of violent clashes ignited the flames of conflict, leading a group of approximately 750 Nez Perce men, women, and children, along with over two thousand horses, to embark on a desperate journey for freedom.
For nearly five months, the Nez Perce and their Ma’amin engaged in a grueling, 1,500-mile odyssey, constantly evading and outmaneuvering a pursuing force of U.S. Cavalry and intercepting local volunteers. Through scorching summer heat and bitter winter freezes, these remarkable horses traversed some of the most challenging terrain imaginable, often unshod and subsisting solely on available forage. On several occasions, they even turned to face their pursuers in battle, demonstrating their courage and unwavering loyalty.
The Ma’amin proved their mettle time and time again. These horses carried their people – men and women, infants and the elderly – an average of ten miles a day, often through uncharted and treacherous territory, without the benefit of established trails, bridges, or the opportunity for rest, resupply, or recovery from injuries. Their resilience and unwavering spirit became a powerful symbol of the Nez Perce’s determination to preserve their way of life. The flight of 1877 is a legendary chapter in American history, showcasing the incredible bond between the Nez Perce and their horses.
A Legacy Threatened
The tragic conclusion of the flight, with the Nez Perce’s surrender just miles from the Canadian border, marked a devastating blow to both the people and their beloved horses. In a cruel and senseless act, many of the surviving Ma’amin, already weakened by exhaustion and starvation, were exterminated. Others were dispersed, scattered across the country and lost to the Nez Perce forever.
Despite the national recognition these horses had earned for their extraordinary endurance, no effort was made to preserve the breed’s integrity. Over generations, the Ma’amin were crossbred with ranch and draft horses, diluting their unique qualities and pushing them to the brink of extinction. By the early 20th century, the once-renowned Nez Perce horse was all but forgotten.
The Appaloosa’s Ascent and a Vision for Revival
In 1938, a glimmer of hope emerged when Claude Thompson recognized the dire situation and dedicated himself to saving the remaining few hundred horses he believed still carried the Ma’amin’s bloodline. This marked the beginning of the Appaloosa Horse Registry, a crucial step in preserving the breed’s existence.
However, as the Appaloosa breed gained popularity, its focus shifted. The registration of horses with significant Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, and Arabian influence, coupled with the emphasis on color, heavy muscling, and refinement in the show ring, gradually transformed the Appaloosa into a very different horse. While undeniably beautiful and versatile, this new Appaloosa began to lose many of the very qualities – endurance, thrift, toughness, and courage – that had made the original Ma’amin so famous and so prized.
Reclaiming a Heritage: The Nez Perce Horse Revival
In the early 1990s, driven by a desire to reclaim their heritage as a renowned horse culture and to restore the qualities that had defined the original Nez Perce horse, members of the tribe embarked on an ambitious breeding program. Their goal was to bring back the Ma’amin, the horse that had been so integral to their identity for generations.
The program initially utilized Foundation ApHC stock, as well as Ma’amin horses that had been carefully preserved from the Minam line of Chief Joseph’s horses, kept pure on a ranch in the Wallowa Valley. Early assumptions pointed towards the Mustang as a potential outcross, but genetic and historical research revealed a more complex picture. The foundation stock of the original Ma’amin was likely not of Mustang origin.
Instead, evidence suggested a connection to Eurasian horses, descendants of the "Heavenly Horses" of Genghis Khan, traceable back to the Akhal-Teke breed, a breed meticulously preserved in Turkmenistan for over 2,000 years. These horses may have been brought to the Pacific Northwest by Russian fur traders, who had an early presence in the region.
The Akhal-Teke, a rare breed renowned for its remarkable endurance, thrift, and courage, shares a strikingly similar history with the Nez Perce horse. Both were tribal horses, racehorses, war horses, and family horses, selectively bred for thousands of years in harsh environments. Both breeds also faced deliberate programs of outcrossing and near-extermination, only to be revived by dedicated individuals who recognized their inherent value.
In 1995, the Nez Perce tribe acquired four Akhal-Teke stallions and two mares, marking a significant step in the Nez Perce Horse revival. The Nez Perce Horse Registry was established to carefully document and manage the acceptable outcrosses of Akhal-Teke and ApHC breeding.
A Living Legacy
Today, the Nez Perce Horse, though still numbering fewer than a thousand, represents the vibrant legacy of two ancient horse cultures. These horses embody the qualities of their ancestors, bred and cherished in a world where a truly good horse was an honored family member, whose strength and loyalty could mean the difference between life and death.
The Nez Perce horse program stands as a testament to the power of cultural preservation and the enduring bond between horses and humans. The modern Ma’amin is a living embodiment of history, resilience, and healing, reminding us of the extraordinary feats that horses and humans are capable of achieving together. It is a symbol of hope for the future, ensuring that the legacy of the Nez Perce and their magnificent horses will continue to inspire generations to come.
Breeders of the Nez Perce Horse:
- Ronda Broncheau (Ruebens, ID – http://www.nezpercehorse.com/)
- Leroy & Karen Williams (Culdesac, ID)
- Shirley Jo Allman (Kooskia, ID)
- Allen Pinkham Sr. (Lenore, ID)
- Chief Joseph Foundation (Lapwai, ID)
- Jon & Rose Yearout (Lapwai, ID – http://www.nezperceappaloosas.com)
- Katrina O’Neal (Priest River, ID)
- Isabel Bond (Moscow, ID)
- Karl & Milena Stoszek (Moscow, ID)
- Rhonda and Kim Shoemaker (Fort Francis, Ontario, Canada)
- Janet E. Campbell (Silver Star, MT)