March 2018 32 Used Tractors: Kubota, John Deere, New Holland, etc. New Tractors: Kioti 25, 35, 40, 45 & 50 Horsepower, we also carry the Backhoe Attachments for them. ...from UTV’S to Car Hauler’s, Landscape and Dump Trailers, Special Orders also available on New Trailers. Box Scrapers, Straight Blades, Rock Rakes, Chain Harrows, Arena Groomers, Brush Hogs, Post Hole Diggers, Post Drivers and More. TRACTOR We Service & Repair Tractors, Trailers & UTV’s. Old West Spirit. New West Talent. Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue Chef Bryan Dooley Western Delights Etania Jewelry & Boutique Susan Fiebig It’s A Divine Bakery Bryan’s Side Door — Eat In, Take Out or Party! Seating for up to 50. Great for meetings. Choose your Side Door Menu. THE CENTER OF ATTENTION 6130 East Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (It’s A Divine Bakery Open 7 days a week — 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.) www.lastiendascavecreek.com Modern human civilization owes its very existence to untold millions of real-life heroes that gave their labor and often even their lives in laying each of the bricks in the foundations upon which every one of today’s societies and technologies are built. These heroes were never paid a dime but none of what we have today could have come about without them. Seldom were they given even cursory credit for their sacrifice. As incredible as it might sound, the descendants of those untold and unknown heroes still live among us to this day. They can be instantly recognized by almost everyone but there is hardly ever a mention of their ancestors’ invaluable contribution to our modern world. What I’m talking about here are the lowly equines. They are better known as horses, mules, burros, and donkeys. Before questioning what I’ve just said, consider this. Humans roamed the earth some 35 or 40 thousand years before the equine species was domesticated 5000 years ago. For the next 4800 years, these equines were the power source that allowed man to achieve things beyond his own physical limitations up until the industrial revolution in the 1800s. From there it was only 200 years to nuclear power and the moon. Humans were held back by their own physical limits for 350 to 400 centuries before the domestication of the equine provided them with the power that allowed them to eventually become masters of the earth. Sadly, one of these ignored equine heroes, the mule, is often ridiculed and often even made fun of. They are considered stubborn and homely while horses are considered “classic” and beautiful. Donkeys and burros are simply considered “cute”. However, without the contribution of millions of these homely mules to the human race, our modern world might very well be a far different place than it is today. Just one example; They were one of the most critical factors in war. Heavily loaded mule trains provided front-line soldiers with critical supplies required to carry on the fight. In every war, our country has fought it was mules that were depended on to carry out this most critical task. From the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan it was pack mules that delivered food, medical supplies, ammunition, small arms, and even packed many a wounded man out. Mules were preferred for this job because they are tougher, can subsist on less, are less excitable, and are day-to-day steadier than horses. They can cover rough, steep terrain and mud that would stop any wheeled vehicle. They can swim rivers and are a lot quieter and less By C.L.”Lee” Anderson C.L.”Lee” Anderson and his horse, Concho, are well known for their cowboy living history presentations around the Valley and the state. He’s the author of the award-winning book, “Developing the Art of Equine Communication” and refers to himself as a “horseman of the old school”. Lee can be contacted by email at CLAinAZ@aol.com, or his website historicaloldwest.org. HISTORY’S MOST Unsung Heroes