Working with horses—or any animal relative—demands control. Not just over the animal, but over oneself. Strength matters, but timing matters more. So do patience and adaptability. Knowing when to hold steady and when to step back can make all the difference.
A group of Sacred Storm Buffalo warriors are developing these skills firsthand as they train 20 newly arrived horses. This expansion not only provides additional support for maintaining our herds in the field but also gives several young men the chance to invest in their skillset.
For many, this is their first experience handling horses in a structured environment. They’re learning by doing, developing instincts and expertise they can carry into ranching, livestock management, or any field where discipline and confidence matter. Either way, they gain something tangible—and in the process, they help shape Sacred Storm’s expansion and outreach into our communities.
A Necessary Skill for Buffalo Ranching
In addition to providing our Horse Whisperer Warriors with the opportunity to develop their horsemanship, these new additions are essential to the daily work of managing the buffalo herds. On open pastures, buffalo don’t move like cattle. They’re unpredictable, fast, and harder to contain.
So, in adding these horses to the Wambli Ska Ranch, Sacred Storm Buffalo is also helping prepare these young men for the realities of buffalo ranching.
A skilled horseman reads terrain just as skillfully as they read their animal, adjusting pace and position without hesitation. As they track herd movement, they must also be prepared to identify signs of illness or injury, while keeping the herd rotating through grazing areas to preserve the land.
None of this is easy.
A poorly timed approach can send buffalo scattering, and a moment’s distraction can cost a rider control of their horse. So, Horse Whisperer Warrior training starts with the fundamentals like balance and positioning before warriors move on to advanced work in tracking and herd management. As they continue their training, they become more capable ranchers and land stewards who can carry this knowledge forward.
The Bigger Picture
Chris White Eagle, Executive Director of Sacred Storm Buffalo, shared his thoughts on the Warrior Horse Whisperers program with the Lakota Times on December 4th:
“With the arrival of our first buffalo calves and horses, we honor our heritage while building a path toward a resilient and self-determined future.”
White Eagle’s words cut straight to the heart of Sacred Storm Buffalo’s vision: Through its commitment to excellence in meat processing, apprenticeship programs, and advocacy for food sovereignty, Sacred Storm Buffalo envisions a society where harmony between humans and the Earth is restored, one meal at a time.
Training warriors in horsemanship is one part of that equation, becoming skilled riders that makes herd management more efficient and keeping buffalo ranching in the hands of those who benefit from it the most.
Warriors who develop these skills now will be the ones leading future phases of Sacred Storm buffalo’s growth and taking their talents out of the training pen into the community.
