9. Break the trail. Let others follow.

Mesquite and thorn don’t clear themselves. The first rider through takes the cuts, the bruises, the hard ground. It’s slow work, and lonely, but without that first pass the herd won’t move. Every new trail begins with someone willing to face the brush head-on.

Breaking trail isn’t about glory. Most won’t see the scars, and fewer will thank you for them. But it matters. Once the path is cut, wagons roll easier, cattle move faster, and the whole outfit makes better time.

The risk is higher up front. The unknown waits beyond the ridge. But the reward isn’t just for the first rider — it’s for everyone who comes after. The courage of one makes the way for many.

That’s why we clear new ground. Because progress don’t happen by itself. Someone has to go first, swing hard, and leave a mark others can walk behind.