TAF WACIYE PICA:

A LAKOTA SIOUX WAR PONY

The Lakota Sioux of North America were riders, marking their horses with painted symbols that matched those they would put upon their own bodies.  Different (with some exceptions) from hunting or story-telling markings, war horse markings were placed upon the pony to bring the rider fortune and victory in battle.  Those upon TAF WACIYE PICA show him to be a war chief’s mount, as he has been liberally painted.  Circles surround his eyes that he might have keen vision.  A long, zig-zagged lightning bolt, the “go fast” symbol, brings him extra speed.  Coup lines band his muzzle and forelegs, while a jagged fire arrow and blue hailstones brings trouble to the enemy.  The twin handprints on his chest depict the fact that this brave animal has physically knocked down at least one enemy, while crossed lines show he has carried his rider safely out of ambush.   Myriad hoof-prints count the number of horses his master has obtained from the raids into which he has safely carried him.  A highly honored “Pat Hand” print carefully painted upon his right hip—always the right hip -- shows that he has at one time brought his master home from a dangerous mission, unharmed.  But the highest praise his master could give him is the “upside down hand” print, showing that he has undertaken a dangerous “do or die” mission, again returning safely home with his warrior.