What does the horse symbolize to the Comanche?

The key to the military successes of the Comanche tribes was the ability to travel long distances quickly and unpredictably. With an attack range of four hundred miles, a relatively small group of Comanche raiders were able to terrorize settlers over a vast area, exercising far more control over the territory than their numbers would ordinarily suggest. The horse, therefore, symbolized Comanche power but also Comanche freedom. So long as the Comanche had their horses, they could fight, retreat, or move their camp elsewhere at will.

A Comanche tribesman's wealth was measured in horses. As a preliminary warning, it was customary among rival Indian tribes for young men to sneak up and steal their enemies' horses. This sent a dual message: first, it damaged the mobility of whoever had his or her horses stolen, making it difficult to hunt or to even find water. Second, it demonstrated that the raiders had the power to do damage.