The skill of horseback riding was introduced to the Native Americans by Onate and the Spanish at their settlements. At the time, Onate brought 300 horses and the Spanish used Native Americans to look after these horses; when some Native Americans ran away, they spread the skill of horseback riding from one Native American group to another.
Juan de Onate established the colony of New Mexico for Spain (was a conquistador). In 1598 he led expedition into New Mexico to find gold, convert Native Americans to christianity, and establish a permanent colony.