Spirit of the Horse Returns for Its Third Year on the Blackfeet Reservation

Spirit of the Horse returned to the beautiful Blackfeet Reservation for a full day of horsemanship, elder storytelling, laughter, leadership, and skill building in the barrel pen.

Co-hosted by Women in Ranching and Sapoo Horsemanship, and sponsored by Culture & Hope, Blackfeet Tobacco Prevention, and the Montana Women’s Foundation, the day brought together Blackfeet girls for an experience centered around culture, confidence, connection, and time spent on horseback.

The morning started with breakfast, introductions, body movement, and icebreakers, creating a welcoming space for the girls to get comfortable and connect with one another. The most grounding part of the day was elder storytelling, cultural teaching, and prayer, setting the tone for a day focused on knowing who they are, where they come from, and the strength they carry with them.

Following these teachings, the girls participated in leadership conversations, healthy coping skills, and self-development activities before moving into the part of the day many had been waiting for: The horses.

Before getting in the saddle, the girls learned about horse safety, proper tack use, and saddling. Everyone started at a walk, making sure each rider understood how to safely handle their horse and felt comfortable communicating with their partner. It didn’t take long for nerves to turn into confidence. The smiles grew bigger with each lap, and the sound of laughter around the arena was a reminder of how quickly confidence can grow when given the right support.

As rain moved in, the group took a break for lunch and some time to get out of the weather. The girls then paired up and practiced introducing one another by sharing their partner’s favorite color and a fun fact. It was a simple activity that encouraged connection, communication, and getting to know each other beyond the day’s activities.

 After lunch, the girls painted their horses before getting back in the saddle. This activity is always a favorite and gives participants a chance to slow down, be creative, and have some fun with their horses. It didn’t take long before everyone was ready to get back in the arena and continue building their confidence on horseback.

In perfect timing, the rain stopped, the arena was freshly groomed, and it was time to head to the barrel pen. The girls eagerly put their skills into practice, making turns around the barrels and gaining more confidence with every run. The day seemed to fly by, and the repeated question of “can I have one more turn?” continued for an extra 30 minutes.

To close out the day, the girls gathered in a circle and shared something they learned about themselves and their favorite part of the day. Their reflections showed just how much more this experience is than learning how to ride. Spirit of the Horse creates space for girls to build confidence, develop leadership skills, connect with their culture, and strengthen their relationship with the horses and each other.

This event continues to be a special gathering for Blackfeet girls, creating opportunities to learn, grow, and recognize the strength they already carry within themselves. We are grateful to every elder, mentor, volunteer, sponsor, and supporter who helped make another year of this program possible.