Does the Western US Cowboy Still Exist?

The American western cowboy has been inAs the western range became more crowded
existence since the 1800"s. The cowboy has beenthe trail drives ended. More of the ranchers were
showcased and romanticized over the years inputting up wooden or barbed wire fencing which
movies and Wild West shows. However, themade the trails impassable. Also the
cowboy and his horse work very hard. Theyenvironmentalists pointed out that in many cases
petrol the wide open ranges in all kinds ofthe ranges had been mismanaged and abused.
weather. The horse and cowboy were the bestThey demanded that all the grazing on America's
of friends because each of them needed thepublic land be stopped. Many of the large ranches
other to get the job done. It was not unusual forwere subdivided and sold to inexperienced
the cowboy to ride his horse fifty miles in a day.ranchers that wanted to try their hand at
They had to gather cows, vaccinate, brand, sortbecoming cowboys.
the herd and read the range - stay mounted andAs every decade sees changes in technology,
work cattle. They were very skilled at their jobsscience and economics, the western cowboy
and were proud of the kind of work they did.must change too. The western cowboy does still
Even thou motorized vehicles came into play,exit. There are still large and small ranches out
using a horse and a rope was still the best waywest that need the cowboy and his horse. The
to work cattle. The attire for most of thecowboy has had to change with the times. Some
cowboys was a cowboy hat, gloves, bandana,work the ranches, some still patrol the ranges and
cowboy boots, chaps, close fitting trousers orsome have started working the rodeos. Let's all
jeans. He would also carry a lasso, gun, knife, andtry to keep this hard working rugged cowboy and
wear spurs. On his horse he would need a saddle,his horse in existence.
blanket, bridle and a bed role.