North Dakota Honorary Equine: Nokota Horse

Named for the contraction of “North” and “Dakota,” the Nokota are a landrace breed of horses—a breed that has developed naturally over time in a specific geographical region and in isolation from other populations. The Nokota are descended of the feral horses that have roamed the Little Missouri Badlands of North Dakota since at least the mid-1800s and are thought to be descended of Sitting Bull’s herd of horses, though there’s some hot debate over the claim. The feral horses have been a controversial part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park since several bands were accidentally fenced in during the 1940s, but ultimately public opinion has prevailed in favor of preserving the wild horses. In 1993 they were named the Honorary Equine of North Dakota.