Help feed the Lakota horses from the bloodline of Crazy Horse

The Lakota have a rich history and a deep connection with the Šúŋka Wakȟáŋ Oyáte which are integral to traditional culture and lifeways. The horse provides a connection between man and the universe. It points in all seven directions — north, west, east and south, plus the ears point towards heaven and the hooves ground us to the earth below. As the rider sits in the middle of the horse’s back, they become centered as the animal’s heartbeat points towards the seventh direction, the inner self.

Backstory

The founder of OLCERI, Bryan Deans, has a fascinating lineage which weaves its way through the history of his people as well through the area in which they live.

Bryan’s grandfather immigrated from Scotland and became a homesteader in Dawes County, Nebraska. When Crazy Horse surrendered to and was later murdered by the United States government in 1877, he brought with him many head of horses. Horse breeders were allowed first selection of these horses so that they could supply mounts to the U.S. calvary. Bryan’s grandfather was one of those breeders and he selected some of the finest war horses. Crazy Horse was known to ride sorrel and bays, both breeds being known to be easy keepers who could take wind easily, didn’t require a lot of rest, and stayed in good shape.

The horse breeding tradition was passed down to his son, Bryan’s father, who took over the breeding after his return from World War II. He was one of the last sanctioned breeders for the calvary.

When Bryan, a veteran of the U.S. Army, returned from service himself, he took on the family tradition of horse breeding. His father supplied him with horses from the bloodline of Crazy Horse’s stock. The story - and the horses - came full circle as Bryan is Kiyaska; a member of the Oglala Lakota. On his mother’s side he descends from the same band as Crazy Horse.

When Bryan began there was not much left in the way of horsemen. He began breeding the horses and doing rides as a safe haven for his people. These rides represent a rare, last vestige of the culture; a place for the Lakota people to function in the old ways, as a tribe and a free society. Bryan is a foundation rider with the Crazy Horse Ride and participates in many other rides to honor both Natives as well as veterans.

The horse program has branched into training programs, youth suicide prevention programs, as well as becoming a source of income for OLCERI. People come from all over in the summer months to rent the horses and to have the honor of riding on Pine Ridge.