The mobility of Southern Plains warriors — their ability to strike fast, control engagements on ground of their choosing, and disengage before a larger force could concentrate against them — was built on horses.

A warrior on foot was a fundamentally different military proposition than a warrior on horseback.

An entire band on foot was a fundamentally different military proposition than an entire band mounted.

A horse enabled escape.

When soldiers approached a camp, the decision to flee rather than fight was often the decision to survive.

Families on horseback could disperse rapidly across the Plains, making pursuit difficult and providing time to regroup somewhere safer.

Families on foot were slow.