The British Presence
in Southern Patagonia
+ + Estancia Cullen, Tierra del Fuego + +
Troops of Horses (1906)
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Prior to the 20th century, and the development of physical infrastructure (roads, bridges, ferries etc.), the horse was the sole means of transport in rural Patagonia. It was the practice of the large ranching companies to assign "troops" of horses to designated employees, for their care and personal use.
Horses (especially pedigree race-horses) are given distinctive names. In the case illustrated below, their names were used for a more prosaic purpose — stock-control. Along with the surnames of the respective employees, this inventory provides an amusing collection of names, both English and Spanish. They are transcribed as written in the original ledger book.
Horses at Estancia Cullen, 1906
| Milligan | 5 | Toruno, Jean, Rosy, Bessie, Money |
| Morrison | 8 | Steamer, Morgan, Old zaino, Zarco, Nigger, Picazo, Pampa, Shater |
| Stewart | 5 | Doctor II, Kitty, Johnnie Cope, Prince, Bayo |
| Tait | 6 | Stouter, Molly, Alazan, Ruana, Fltaway, Tubby |
| Thomson | 7 | Rattler, Joiner, Sara Braun, Sally, The Flea, Baya, Goggles |
| Gunn | 6 | Zaina mare, Alazan mare, Manchada mare, Rosada mare, Muldoon, Colorado |
| Bailey | 6 | Johnnie, Buff Bill, Twala, Lassie, Petizo, Tostado mare |
| Brenchley | 6 | Donkey, Walker, Sam, Rio Chico, Rosado mare, Zaina mare |
| Maclean | 6 | Nancy, Vapor, Abbot, Zebruno, Comasaria, Blanco ne[...] |
| Bright | 6 | Mike, Zaino, Archie, Schnapps, Punch, Rainbow |
| Gordon | 6 | Colonel, Leader, Splitears, Don Pedro, Mestizo, Colorado |
| Muñoz | 9 | Blanco, Stockings, Black Jock, Empacador, Colorado, Moro, Colorado mare, Corruro, Rosado |
| Copland | 9 | Moro, Blanco, Engineer, Springer, Cigarette, Sweetheart, Jacob, Lassie II, Rupert |
| Bourne | 3 | Jimmie, Splatter, Moro mare |
| C F Wood | 13 | Buller, Pike, Spider, Klondyke, San toy, Grace, Roper, Diego, Raton, Peter + 3 San Seb colts |
| Spare Troop | 12 | Milavich, Ramon, Mechanic, Dick, Maté, Laurie, Kruger, Daley, Cubby, Moro mare, Duckling & Bally |
| Cart horses | 4 | Gladstone, Doctor, Yegua, Dobbin |
| Total | 119 |