Boots, spurs, cowboy hats, and horseback riding usually make up the general image of what people call the “American cowboy.” Indeed, the life of cowboys was about herding cattle, ranch-related tasks, and some handiwork here and there. However, cowboys also had a negative reputation, often being associated with being reckless and lawless.
The American cowboy character is charismatically depicted in many movies, TV shows, and books, but how much truth is in these pop culture representations of the men of the western frontier? Let’s dive in and find out the true origins and history of the American cowboys.
Who were the vaqueros?
The concept of cowboys can be traced to the vaqueros, or those who herded cattle on horseback in Mexico (which today is in the Southwestern United States). The word vaqueros comes from the Spanish word vaca, meaning cow, and they were what you would call Mexico’s native cowboys.
When the Spanish arrived in the Americas in 1519, they brought ranching knowledge and began raising cattle and other livestock. Vaqueros were skillful in horseback riding, roping, and herding, so they were hired to herd cattle and tend to livestock.
As the California Missions began in 1769, the practice of raising livestock expanded to areas in the West. By the early 1800s, English-speaking settlers who migrated to the West adopted some vaquero culture, herding techniques, and iconic cowboy clothing styles.
Despite the Spanish influence, cowboys emerged from diverse backgrounds, such as Native Americans, Mexicans, European and Eastern U.S. settlers, and African Americans.
Nat Love is a famous African-American cowboy, better known in Cattle Country as “Deadwood Dick” for his impressive shooting skills in Deadwood City. His cowboy adventures landed him work from Texas to Arizona, and his life story is detailed in his autobiography titled The Life and Adventures of Nat Love.
The westward expansion
During the mid-1800s, more railroads were being built in the West, and this was also the time of Manifest Destiny, which led to the expansion of United States territory and influence, hence the Westward expansion.
For cowboys, this was a new opportunity in their occupation of tending cattle, as they now transported livestock by rail around the country. For 3,000 cattle, it would take around 8-12 cowboys to be responsible for the cattle drives.
Additionally, cowboys often branded the animals using special symbols on their hinds according to which ranch they belonged to to avoid losing or switching cattle. By the 19th century, the image of the cowboy was gradually leaning more toward the heroic American cowboy depicted in Western tales, shedding some of its vaquero origins.
The cowboy life
Because of the demands of their profession, cowboys were expected to be able to endure fatigue, be skillful in using the lariat or lasso, and show expertise in horsemanship. Given the job requirements, most cowboys were men in their youth. Western cowboys usually make around US$25 to $40 a month.
Besides handling livestock, cowboys did repair work on fences and buildings, cared for horses, and sometimes helped around town. Workdays were more or less 15 hours, but after a hard day’s work, a cowboy’s entertainment was playing the harmonica or guitar, singing, and writing poetry.
Rodeos were also a friendly form of competition where they could let out steam while testing their skills. Rodeos included bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, and similar activities.
Cowboy style
Regarding appearance, cowboys had large, wide-brimmed hats to protect them from the sun and bandanas to shield them from dust. Boots with spurs were helpful in horse riding, and saddlebags were worn to carry essential supplies and items.
Some also wore chaps, which were leg covers you wear over trousers, to guard them against environmental hazards like cactus needles and rocky terrains.
The Wild West
The American frontier, also known as the Old West, popularly known as the Wild West, encompasses the geography, history, folklore, and culture associated with the forward wave of American expansion in mainland North America that began with European colonial settlements in the early 17th century and ended with the admission of the last few contiguous western territories as states in 1912.
During the height of Western expansion in the 19th century, cowboys were called many names — buckaroos, cowhands, cowpokes, and more, and they were also occasionally labeled rough, challenging, and lawless, as went with the situation in the West. The time during the gold rush wasn’t a walk in the park; there were gangs, robberies, outlaws — not to mention the Civil War.
Gunfights did happen, but not as exaggerated as seen in movies. When cowboys became drunk and caused trouble, they would get thrown out of establishments.
Modern cowboys
There may not be as many cowboys today as there were back then, but the occupation still exists and thrives in specific locations in the United States. Where you find large ranches in Utah, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming, you’ll find cowboys still working.
