Horses played a crucial role during the Trail of Tears, as they were a primary means of transportation for both Native Americans and the military forces overseeing the removal process. Horses were used for pulling wagons carrying belongings and supplies, as well as for riding. Dogs were also present and served various purposes, such as hunting for food along the way and providing companionship to the Native American people during their arduous journey.
Cattle were driven alongside the Native American tribes during the Trail of Tears, primarily as a source of food and sustenance for both humans and animals. Native Americans often relied on hunting wild animals encountered during the journey to supplement their diet. These wild animals included deer, rabbits, turkeys, and various other game that could be found in the forests and grasslands along the way.
In addition to these domesticated and wild animals, the Native Americans also encountered and interacted with native wildlife present in the regions through which they traveled. This included encountering bears, wolves, panthers, and other predators, as well as various species of birds, insects, and reptiles. These encounters with native wildlife added another dimension to the already challenging conditions faced by the Native American tribes during their forced removal from their ancestral lands.