About Cowboys
Cowboys work on ranches in North America and are responsible for tending to the cattle that live there. They have origins in Spain, these early cowboys brought many of the practices used when settlers arrived in North America. Cowboys have become a popular legendary figure in American folklore and are still seen tending ranches in many parts of the country today.
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History
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Spain and the United States both have areas with arid climates, and it's here that cattle need large areas of land to graze. Men had to work on horseback to cover the distances of such an area to herd the cattle. This started in Spain and was brought to North America via colonies in Florida. As expansion grew westward, cowboys moved away from their traditional roots and changed into their American version. Railroads came into place and the need for beef grew, so the cowboys began to increase during that time. Recent times have limited the need for cowboys, though they still find work on ranches.
Function
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The main function of a cowboy is to tend to the cattle that are in ranches. They do this by riding on horseback to make up for the speed and distance that a cattle herd can cover in comparison to a human being. This means cowboys must also care for their horses. They are skilled in riding, herding and also using the lasso, which is a looped rope used to catch and aid in herding.
Features
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Cowboys are easily identifiable as they are ingrained in our head from westerns and traditional folklore. Those who are cowboys by profession do not dress very differently from this archetype as what they wear all has specific functions. Cowboys wear cowboy hats, which have a wide wraparound brim to shade the cowboy from the sun. These hats are based off of the sombrero. Jeans are a staple clothing item because they are sturdy and usually chaps are worn over this to protect the legs of the cowboy when he is riding. A bandanna is usually worn as well to protect the cowboy from breathing in dust.
Types
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There are a couple of different types of cowboys, based on the specific profession of the person. The traditional cowboy rides horses and herds cattle. They are ranchers today and the most common type of cowboy. A wrangler is another type of cowboy that is seen on larger ranches with many horses. They are responsible for taking care of only the horses. The third type of cowboy is the rodeo cowboy, who shows off riding and lasso skills for crowds of people.
Geography
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Cowboys are mostly seen in the United States. The Spanish counterparts that they originated from are known as vaqueros. Some cowboys, however, are found elsewhere. Canadian cowboys are mainly found in ranches in Alberta. Famous American cowboys, such as John Wane, often traveled into this area. Other Latin countries have cowboys as well, also from Spanish settlers. In Australia, cowboys are known as stockmen or drovers and are very popular among the thriving ranch business there.
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