Final answer:
European settlers introduced cattle and horses to the Americas. Columbus brought them in 1493 and they had a profound impact on Native American cultures, particularly as the American West was settled.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cattle and horses were introduced to the Americas by European settlers. Cattle came with Columbus to Hispaniola in 1493 and with English settlers to Jamestown in 1611. Horses significantly impacted Native American culture; for example, the Spanish introduced them, and over time, the Pueblo Native Americans learned to become vaqueros. As the American West was settled, horses, originating from those brought over in the 1500s, played a crucial role.
The Spanish taught Pueblo Native Americans horsemanship skills, and they eventually became skilled vaqueros or cowboys. As the American West was settled, horses became indispensable. They revolutionized transportation, agriculture, and hunting, significantly altering the Native American way of life. This exchange of animals and knowledge between cultures highlights the complex and enduring consequences of European colonization on the Americas' ecosystems, economies, and societies.