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The Medicine Hat Horse The Medicine Hat Horse

Medicine Hat is the name applied to horses exhibiting a unique and rare pattern of color. Being mostly white in body, Medicine Hats have color on their ears and top of the head, which resembles a bonnet or hat. Color on the chest is termed a shield. Other areas of color vary, but may show around one or both eyes and in the flanks. Often one or both eyes are partially or totally blue, especially when the area around the eye is unpigmented. There are exceptions, some have dark eyes surrounded by white skin. They may be of any base color, often roaning of the base color is present as well. Medicine Hats are described by their base color such as bay Medicine Hat, black roan Medicine Hat, chestnut Medicine Hat etc.. War Bonnet is a name given to horses of a similar pattern which exhibit less color, usually having just the Hat and very little, if any, other colored areas.

The Medicine Hat Horse Legend has the Medicine Hat Horse appearing in Native American culture, being used as a Ceremonial Horse, Buffalo Runner, and a War Horse. Some of the Plains tribes which considered the Medicine Hat to be supernatural protection against harm were the Sioux, Cheyenne, Blackfoot, Comanche and Kiowa Tribes. Being of mostly white coloration, paintings of special symbols were used on Medicines Hats to add strength to the horse and depict special happenings, such as battles and captured ponies, in the life of his rider. There were considered so special that only tribal chiefs and medicine men and great warriors were only allowed to ride them.


For further information please click here to visit the Medicine Hat Horse Registry
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Updated: October 2005.