Native Americans Create Horse Tack

Q: What is the ThinLine Lakota project?

Per ThinLine Tack: employment program providing reliable income for Sioux artists creating horse tack on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The reservation has 85% unemployment, average lifespan of 47 years for men and 52 for women, and schools ranking in the bottom 10% of American funding. ThinLine partners with reservation artists to create premium-quality horse tack, channeling proceeds back to the community.

Q: Why does this matter for horse owners?

Per ThinLine Tack: buying authentic Native American-crafted tack supports a community in crisis while acquiring beautiful, culturally-significant equipment. The horse-Native-American relationship goes back centuries; tack made by descendants of the original horse cultures carries genuine heritage. The premium price reflects the master craftsmanship and the social-impact investment.

Q: What kinds of tack come from the project?

Per ThinLine Tack: traditional and contemporary designs — ranging from beaded leather pieces to functional bridles, breast collars, saddle accessories, and decorative items. Each piece reflects the artist's individual style within the broader Lakota tradition. Quality varies less than uniqueness — every piece is hand-made by an experienced artisan.

Q: How long has ThinLine been working with the Pine Ridge community?

Per ThinLine Tack: four years to build reliable artist relationships. The article notes 'It has taken four years to secure reliable artists who can find their way up out of the oppression.' Building trust, training in commercial production standards, and establishing reliable supply chains in a deeply impoverished community is a slow, careful process. The relationships formed are now stable foundations for ongoing work.

Q: Where can I buy ThinLine Lakota project pieces?

Per ThinLine Tack: through ThinLine's online store and select tack shops carrying their products. Each piece comes with provenance information identifying the artist and reservation. Limited quantities reflect the hand-crafted nature; pre-ordering may be required for specific designs. Shipping supports both the artist and the broader Pine Ridge community.

Want a practical read on Native Americans Create Horse Tack for horse owners?

Native Americans Create Horse Tack: Pine Ridge Reservation

It has taken four years for me to secure reliable artists who can find their way up out of the oppression.

Article from ThinLine Tack.

The ThinLine Lakota project has taken on more dimensions than just trying to provide employment for Sioux artists to make horse tack. Our target is The Pine Ridge Indian reservation, South Dakota, home to the Oglala Sioux. This is the most impoverished area of the United States. The reservation retains 85% unemployment, an average lifespan of 47 years for men and 52 for women, and schools that rank in the bottom 10% of American funding,

ThinLine has made a commitment to help through educational and employment assistance. It was noticed that the Wounded Knee elementary school, serving the most impoverished area of the reservation, was severely lacking in library materials. When we began our book drive they had fewer than 300 books in their entire library. Within the ThinLine Lakota book drive, over 1 ,500 books and 20 computers have been donated to what is clearly the neediest school in America.

The Wounded Knee school has done its part, providing an evening reading program where parents and students can read together. Increased reading ability today means a more literate future work force to attract future employment to the reservation and break the prevailing cycle of despair. We at ThinLine originally went to the reservation simply seeking artists who could make American Indian tack for us. We have found a much higher calling, and would appreciate any assistance that can be provided.

ThinLine began this journey with Jim Warson, a notable neurosurgeon, author and Comanche Indian (Tahka Pui). As horsemen and manufacturers of equine products it was our Desire to find a way for this noble Nation to stem the poverty, depression and apathy seen on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 2010.

After centuries of broken treaties, massacres such as Wounded Knee, and ever decreasing amounts of land on which to hunt, farm and sustain a life style the Lakota, most well known for their great horsemanship, began to turn on each other. This is what political oppression does to cultures around the globe. And then we say; “Look at what they are doing to themselves.” Step by step we at ThinLine will relay what we gave in the way of opportunity, NOT Handouts, to make those thoughts and dreams a reality.

What to do for a people with so much suffering? And people who are the original horsemen. The Lakota were such great horse trainers all the Plains Indians bought their horses from this tribe. But today, isolated in the Black Hills, no such commerce exists.

Join us in the plan we have set forth to change this unacceptable condition. We have a few products just in from the Reservation. Click on the Photo to view the products. All the proceeds go to the artisans. Donations do not fix poverty. Work and pride in what you can provide does. We encourage you to make a purchase, allowing us the opportunity to show them their work has value and to hire more and more Native Americans. Thank you in advance. See the Best Ted Talk On Pine Ridge and to view all Lakota products!

Elaine Castelao article for ThinLine Tack Website- ThinLine Global 2945 South Miami Blvd. Suite 120 Durham, NC 27703 919-680-6803

Key Article Takeaways

When we began our book drive they had fewer than 300 books in their entire library.
Within the ThinLine Lakota book drive, over 1 ,500 books and 20 computers have been donated to what is clearly the neediest school in America.
Elaine Castelao article for ThinLine Tack Website- ThinLine Global 2945 South Miami Blvd.
The ThinLine Lakota project has taken on more dimensions than just trying to provide employment for Sioux artists to make horse tack.
This is the most impoverished area of the United States.

Questions readers commonly ask:

What is the ThinLine Lakota project?

Per ThinLine Tack: employment program providing reliable income for Sioux artists creating horse tack on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The reservation has 85% unemployment, average lifespan of 47 years for men and 52 for women, and schools ranking in the bottom 10% of American funding. ThinLine partners with reservation artists to create premium-quality horse tack, channeling proceeds back to the community.

Why does this matter for horse owners?

Per ThinLine Tack: buying authentic Native American-crafted tack supports a community in crisis while acquiring beautiful, culturally-significant equipment. The horse-Native-American relationship goes back centuries; tack made by descendants of the original horse cultures carries genuine heritage. The premium price reflects the master craftsmanship and the social-impact investment.

What kinds of tack come from the project?

Per ThinLine Tack: traditional and contemporary designs — ranging from beaded leather pieces to functional bridles, breast collars, saddle accessories, and decorative items. Each piece reflects the artist's individual style within the broader Lakota tradition. Quality varies less than uniqueness — every piece is hand-made by an experienced artisan.

How long has ThinLine been working with the Pine Ridge community?

Per ThinLine Tack: four years to build reliable artist relationships. The article notes 'It has taken four years to secure reliable artists who can find their way up out of the oppression.' Building trust, training in commercial production standards, and establishing reliable supply chains in a deeply impoverished community is a slow, careful process. The relationships formed are now stable foundations for ongoing work.

Where can I buy ThinLine Lakota project pieces?

Per ThinLine Tack: through ThinLine's online store and select tack shops carrying their products. Each piece comes with provenance information identifying the artist and reservation. Limited quantities reflect the hand-crafted nature; pre-ordering may be required for specific designs. Shipping supports both the artist and the broader Pine Ridge community.