when were horses introduced to north america

Horses were reintroduced to North America by Europeans in the early 16th century, with the first broadly documented introductions occurring around 1519–1520 during the expedition of Hernán Cortés in Mexico. Following these initial imports, horses spread northward and became widespread across the continent within a few generations, profoundly altering Indigenous economies and cultures through riding, hunting, and warfare. Modern research also highlights earlier archaeological evidence that some Indigenous groups had begun incorporating horses into their societies soon after contact, and discussions continue about the broader timeline of horse presence in the region prior to sustained European settlement.