What is The History of Cowboys?

American cowboys had their own style and thus created a unique identity for themselves. Their lifestyle is immortalized through various representations in numerous TV shows, movies, and books. Although all that was shown in a glamorous light, the life of a cowboy was rough and gruelling at some points. Cowboys also played an important role in the westward expansion of the USA.

Vaqueros Arrived at Scene

Soon after the Spanish came to the Americas, ranches were established to raise cattle and livestock in the year 1519. Spain-imported horses too were brought to be used. Native cowboys from Mexico came to be called as vaqueros (Vaca means cow in Spanish). Considering Vaqueros superior skills in herding, riding and roping-ranchers hired them to take care of the livestock. By 1700s, ranching became a common thing in Argentina, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Livestock practices spread further in the west, as the California missions began in 1769. Cowboy culture took an upward swing in the early 1800s, as many English-speaking settlers came to the West and adopted the cowboy culture, their cattle-driving methods, and even their clothing style.

American Cowboys Helped Westward Expansion

In the mid-1800s, cowboys played a central role in “Manifest Destiny”, transporting large cattle on rails. In order to distinguish one ranch’s cattle from another, cowboys burned a mark on their sides in order to categorize them. About 3,000 heads of cattle were moved with the help of just 8-12 cowboys.

Cowboys in the 20th Century: Crisis and Hollywood

Though reduced on the scale, cattle drive continued way into the mid-20th century. Most cowboys about this time were hired by West’s private ranch owners and had given up the life of open trail. The role of the cowboy was declining, but Hollywood movies kept the culture alive through films with prominent stars like Gene Autry, John Wayne, and Buck Jones.

A Day in the Cowboy’s Life

Most cowboys were young men in need of cash. They used to make anywhere in between $25 to $40 per month. Apart from herding, they also used to help in repairing buildings and fences, provide care for horses or help in establishing towns in some cases. Their clothing included bandanas, boots, and typical large hats. A few also used to wear chaps outside their trousers to avoid bruises from cactus on their legs. On their days in ranch, cowboys used to share a bunkhouse together. They sang songs, wrote poetry, played harmonica or guitar in their free time. They were also referred as cowpunchers, buckaroos, and cowpokes. A typical day as a cowboy in those times included 15 hours of work each day, most of which was done doing physical labour or spent on a horse.

Rodeo Were Their Go-To Events

Rodeos were popular competition events where cowboys tested their skills and proved their competence. The activities included barrel racing, bareback bronco riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, and bull riding. The first ever professional rodeo was organized in Arizona in the year 1888. Since then, they became a popular event in Mexico, USA, and other regions.

Cowboys in Today’s World

As years pass by, there has been a decrease in their number. However, it is still not obsolete. Their culture can still be found in some regions of the USA. They help in running ranches in the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Texas. In the West, the lifestyle and culture of the American cowboy are still very much alive.

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