Why Do Cowboys Use Chaps?
Rugged, independent and able to handle whatever comes his way, the cowboy is an image that Americans identify themselves with. Many questions surround this iconic image, though, not the least of which is why do cowboys wear chaps?
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What are chaps?
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Chaps are--in their simplest form--a protective garment made of leather or some other tough material. Chaps are worn much like a pair of pants, though they usually lack a rear as well as a crotch; they are held around the waist with a belt and around the legs with a variety of ties.
History
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Chaps were originally designed and worn by cattle herders in Spain and Mexico. The garment began as a kind of apron that attached to the saddle horn, and was strung back along the sides of the horse to protect its sides and the riders legs. This was an awkward design, and eventually it was changed into the more recognizable version of chaps--which made its way up through Mexico and into the United States and Canada.
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Purpose
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As one would expect, chaps were created to protect the lower body of a rider from environmental dangers associated with livestock, herding and other similar work. Such dangers include thorn scrapes, wind, cold and heavy brush.
Heavy Duty
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While chaps are most commonly associated with cattle herding, there are other professions that make use of them for protection. Loggers, for instance, have chainsaw chaps that are often made of material like Kevlar to prevent leg injury. Hunters--both professional and amateur--often wear chaps to protect themselves from vegetation and against dangers such as snake bites.
Fashion
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Chaps have also made their way into the world of fashion. The most obvious place this is seen is in professional rodeos, where, despite their use as protection, the riders often wear colorful or outrageous chaps to add to their performance costume. Chaps are also popular in the motorcycle and leather subcultures; chaps are just as often a statement of position or part of a fashion style as they're used for safety in these cases.
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