Florida's unique environment and landscape have given some unique aspects to its cattle industry. The Sunshine State owns the distinction of having the first ranches in The New World, thanks to Ponce De Leon introducing cattle in 1521. By the 1800s, these Florida cowboys became known as 'crackers'  due to the cattle whips they carried and the cracking sound that could be heard for miles. With a length of 8-18 feet, these whips had multiple uses. One of these was to assist in locating the herd in Florida's thick vegetation. The cracking whip would scare the cows into the open, enabling the 'cow hunters' to protect them from predators as well as rounding them up for market. In my piece "High Water", the cracker cowboy is carrying a calf on horseback to keep him from drowning but also to protect him from alligators.