Artwork Description:

In 1540 Hernando de Soto led a Spanish expedition into Chickasaw territory in what is now, Northern Mississippi and wintered in the abandoned village of Chicaza. When they decided to leave, they demanded the Chickasaws provide 200 men and women to be burden bearers. The Chickasaws considered this an insult and attacked the Spaniards. During the Battle, several of DeSoto's horses escaped and were captured by the Chickasaws. Over the years, they developed these little Spanish ponies into what has been considered as the best all-around horse in the early Americas, extremely fast in the quarter mile. It is widely believed the modern Quarter Horse is descended from the Chickasaw Horse.