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'Spares'
needed pairs
by Delbert Trew |
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Many
historical journals kept by travelers using wagon trains pulled by
oxen describe the herds of extra oxen driven along for "spares." When
the numbers of spares were noted, it seemed like a lot of animals
for the reasonable needs.
These large numbers of spares were explained in a rare book written
by a former ox driver. He stated that oxen were broken to work in
pairs. The two were originally chosen to work together because of
their similar size and temperament, thus pulling the same and acting
the same.
They were always kept together and sold together, unless one died
or was disabled. Historical records seem to always state that oxen
for journeys were brought in pairs. It evidently required a lot of
effort to retrain an ox to work with another partner. The pair became
so attached that a surviving ox would not work or eat and could grieve
itself to death over the loss of a longtime working partner.
So, now we know. The numerous spare herds of oxen driven along with
wagon trains were made up of working pairs instead of singles.
Numerous
journals of early travelers who encountered herds noted the herds
were plagued with hordes of buffalo gnats, mosquitoes and flies. In
fact, the beasts appeared to be black in color, but there was often
a solid coating of insects providing the color. Nature provided the
buffalo with head mops of long, scraggly hair that hung down over
their eves for protection, helping keep the flies at bay. Their tails
switched continually, trying to move the insects. The animals rolled
in dust and mud, plastering their hides in an effort at creating armor.
A buffalo can roll like a horse, learned in an effort to dislodge
insects.
When the insect torture became great enough, they galloped or stampeded
into the breeze, shaking their heads and switching their tails, knocking
insects loose and leaving them behind as they ran.
The effort was successful, as hunters learned when they encountered
hordes of insects on the prairie; the buffalo herds could be found
a few miles upwind.
Most
people know the first horses, 11 stallions and five mares, were brought
from Spain in 1519 to near Mexico. Some writings indicate all horses
in America descended from this original group. That assumption is
wrong.
A closer study of Spanish archives reveal that Alvarado brought 20
horses a few months later, and that Navarez added hundreds of horses
later that same year.
When De Soto came to Florida in late 1519, he brought 115 horses aboard
his ships.
That proves the horse in America had a much greater start, over a
broader stretch of land, than first thought.
Another
fact I have read but have not been able to verify concerns the first
mules in America. I read one statement saying the first mules introduced
to America came on October 26, 1785, when the King of Spain presented
the gift of mules to General George Washington. This is on my list
of things to verify when I get time.
© Delbert Trew
"It's All Trew"
September 11 , 2007 Column
E-mail: trewblue@centramedia.net.
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