Livestock was a weapon of border penetration and consolidation of colonial society. Their role was reinforced because, with the exception of the Andes, the indigenous world had not known cattle ranching. Most domestic animals (cattle, sheep, horses, goats and pigs) were brought from Europe and reproduced at great speed. Only the Andean camelids (llamas, vicuñas and alpacas) were raised by the natives in the highlands, at more than 4,200 meters. Grazing gave rise to a sizeable herd, which shared the grazing lands with goats and sheep. Although in many regions there was no previous livestock experience, animal husbandry developed in a short time. As the European occupation spread, the presence of herds became normal and the high prices of cattle at the beginning of the conquest, especially horses, began to fall due to the increase in supply. In the 18th century, cattle ranching spread throughout the continent, although there were some specialized regions, such as the Rio de la Plata, the Venezuelan Llanos and northern Mexico, where the gauchos, llaneros and charros were accompanied in their tasks by the Chilean huasos. and the West Indian savanna. There was plenty of land and the small population was not an obstacle given the little labor required.
As ranching expanded, complaints about the destruction of indigenous crops increased. The conflict was resolved by ordering the landowners to fence off their land. Natural barriers, such as rivers and streams, were used to retain non-feral cattle, those raised in captivity, and when artificial fences were required, the simplest thing was to dig a ditch. Living fences, with thorny plants, were firmer and more durable obstacles than ditches, although more expensive and difficult to build. As the frontier with the Indian stabilized and the wild cattle disappeared, the haciendas and ranches became more important. In some border areas wild cattle abounded, exploited by dairy farms. These were true armed expeditions, especially if the cattle were close to indigenous lands. Despite their number, wild cattle could hardly guarantee the urban demand for meat, as they were animals that were difficult to herd into the cities. The distances and poor conservation techniques prevented the slaughter of cattle and their transfer to the cities. Draft and transport animals were vital in communications due to the geography and road structure. Numerous mining centers and cities depended on horses and mules both for their supply and to extract the silver towards the mercantile circuits. The north of New Spain and the Río de la Plata were important production centers for mules.
Cheyenne Current population 3654 Location Great Plains Language(s) lioox The Cheyenne are a Native American nation of the Great Plains, close allies of the Arapaho and generally allies of the Lakota (Sioux). They are one of the most famous and important Plains tribes. In their mother tongue, the