Sun bearer created the horse with elements from Father Sun in Mother Earth.
He made the horses years of sprouting plants, white corn. This made the horse keno hearing and alert to noises from far-off. He placed the stars and the dark universe in the horses eyes, so he could see the dark. Eagle water of every kind in the horses face, which gives him his shiny appearance in good health.
Sun bearer used shells for the horses lips and teeth. . Beneath the hoofs of the horses are spread precious hides of all kinds, and beautiful woven blankets, richly decorated, called "naskan." In olden times the Navajos used to wear such blankets, and men say they were first found in the home of the sun-god. Johano-ai pastures his herds on flower-blossoms and gives them to drink of the mingled waters. These are holy waters, waters of all kinds, spring-water, snow-water, hail-water and water from the four quarters of the world. The Navajos use such waters in their rites.
When the horse of the sun-god goes, he raises, not dust but "pitistchi," glittering grains of mineral such as are used in religious ceremonies; and when he rolls, and shakes himself, it is shining pitistchi that flies from him. When he runs, the sacred pollen offered to the sun-god is all about him, like dust, so that he looks like a mist; for the Navajos sometimes say that the mist on the horizon is the pollen that has been offered to the gods. The Navajo sings of the horses of Johano-ai in order that he, too, may have beautiful horses like those of the sun-god.
Navajo Horse Legend
quoted and inspired by Where the Two Came to their Father . A Navaho War Ceremonial given by Jeff King by Maud Oakes
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