The pony wears a hood and martingale which were popular with the Nez Perce and appropriately the pony is an Appaloosa which was bred and developed by the Nez Perce. In 1877 the Nez Perce found themselves in conflict with US troops led by General Oliver O. Howard. Chief Joseph [chief and leader of the Wallowa band] led 800 of his people on a 1,200 mile journey up to northern Montana. [Their goal was to make it to Canada and meet with Sitting Bull, who escaped after the battle of the Little Bighorn]. They traversed through the Bitterroot valley on this Journey, it was a trail used by the Tribe to go on buffalo hunts, they were stopped short of the Canadian border at Bear Paw Mountain. There they thought they had escaped their pursuers, but they were found by troops led by Nelson A. Miles. After a five day battle, tired, cold and hungry, the great chief could not stand to see his people suffer any more, so with great resolve he surrendered. Chief Joseph was called the” Indian Napoleon” because of his skillful retreat. I hope this pony shows the beauty and the defiance of a people caught in war they never asked for.

If you are interested in purchasing this pony, please call the Trail of Painted Ponies President, Rod Barker, at 480-459-5700 or e-mail: rod@trailofpaintedponies.com