The Cowboy

The cowboy was truly the Frontiersmen of the west. The type of men attracted to the arduous work of a cowboy were independent and self-reliant men. These men also required courage, spirit, and grit determination to handle the hard work that was a part of their daily life.

The Idealized Cowboy

The life of a cowboy has been idealized and romanticized in Hollywood and fiction. The reality of the life of a North American cowboy was often monotonous, dangerous, and hard work. Most of the time, these men of the west were poorly paid for their work.

The Cattle Boom

The cattle boom of North America was between 1866 and 1887. Cowboys were a breed apart and were needed by the ranchers to run their stock.   It was at this time that the cattle barons made their mark in history. The cattle boom didn’t last long, however, as the price for cattle stock collapsed, farmers fenced in the open land, which impeded cattle drives. In addition, the winter of 1886-1887 was so severe, many ranchers lost cattle.

Who Were the Cowboys?

Most of the cowboys were young, most being Anglo-American. Other cowboys were Mexican, African, and Native American.

Up until around 1885, most cowboys were viewed as wild and drunken men who were generally poor. When the profession of "cowboy" died away, thanks to writers and Hollywood, the romanticized cowboy was born.

The Tools of the Cowboy Trade

A Cowboy’s "Hoss"

A cowboy’s horse was their transportation and way of making a living. Most of the horses were mustangs, a "descendant of runaway Spanish Andalusians" that had bred in the wild. Mustangs were hearty animals who moved well and quick among the cattle. A cowboy could trust his horse to keep him moving among the dangers of the cattle drive.

The Saddle

A cowboy spent hours in the saddle, sometimes as much as 15 hours a day. The saddle was a critical piece of equipment owned by a cowboy. A fine saddle could cost as much as a month’s wages, but was the most important item owned by a cowboy. A well-made and cared for saddle could last a cowboy thirty years. Now, that’s a long time!

Origin of the saddle

The saddles utilized by North American cowboys originated from the 16^th century Spanish war saddle. A saddle form was made of wood and covered with wet rawhide. The saddle contains three primary components:

Pommel: the horn and fork at the front of the saddle

Seat: the place between the pommel and cantle where you sit

Cantle: the raised part of the seat at the back

The cowboy has become a legend in America today.  Their hard work, determination, and courage make them a romantic heroe both in real life and fiction.

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