The Nephites, on the other hand, did till the land, and did raise all manner of grain and fruit. They also raised flocks and herds of sheep, also all manner of cattle, cows, oxen and steers. They also raised many goats, both wild and domestic, and they had many horses. Now the word "horses" is mentioned thirteen times in the Book of Mormon, but only up to the time of the great destruction which occurred in America at the time of the death of Christ. After that the subject of horses is never mentioned again. By the time Columbus reached America, the horses seems to have become an unknown creature in the western hemisphere.