FROM THE HEART WITH GINI RIFKIN: Cowboys and camels

In your next historical western, does your hero or heroine come across a camel? It could happen!

Having recently been given the surprising opportunity to ride a camel, I was encouraged to do a little research regarding dromedaries (one hump camels).

Their cloven hooves are huge, facilitating walking on sandy typed surfaces. I trim my goats' hooves, but these could be a challenge!

The gear was equipped with bars to hold onto, for which I was thankful as the standing up and getting down movement of this big guy was quite tipsy.

The folks who rescued these two camels, occasionally load them up in horse trailers and take them to Arizona for desert camping. Apparently the animals really enjoy these treks.

Now to the cowboys and camels part. The United States Army experimented with using camels as pack animals in the American Southwest in the mid-1800s. Their attempt to replace horses and mules who struggled in the region's extreme temperatures, became known as the U.S. Army Camel Corps,

Using them for mounted cavalry failed pretty miserably, primarily because the structure of the camel's nose impeded breathing during hard exertion, reducing their ability for sustained speed. Their size also made them ineffective in close-quarter situations. But most importantly, the camels were greatly disliked by soldiers and other animals because of their odor and their disturbing habit of biting, spitting, or explosively defecating on anyone who tried to discipline them. They also required constant care to prevent a very contagious and difficult to treat form of mange.

As pack animals, however, the camels excelled. During numerous experiments, they successfully carried packs twice as heavy as could be carried by horses or mules, more easily tolerated the desert heat, required less water and food, and were able to traverse deep streams and mountain trails with ease. However, the Union ultimately considered the camels a liability and chose not to use them.

The last camel mission before the Civil War broke out was directed by Robert E. Lee. This reconnaissance mission traveled over some of the harshest terrains in the United States. Still, the camels once again performed well, and none of the animals were lost.

But the Camel Corps was just not meant to be, as everybody had more important things to focus on when the war broke out.

After the war was over, the camel was more or less rendered obsolete especially owing to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869.

The remaining camels were sold off to private parties, or sadly abandoned. Many of them ended up in circuses, where they entertained audiences for decades.

The Texas Camel Corps was founded in 1997 to educate the public about the use of camels in 19th century America, and sometimes visits historic sites like the Alamo for reenactments.

So you see, in your next historical western, your H and H could very well come across a camel.