cowboys

Cowboys are livestock handlers who manage cattle on ranches, particularly in North America. The term originated in the 19th century to describe workers who drove and herded cattle along long-distance routes from ranches to market and railheads.

Historically, cowboy work developed in the American Southwest and Great Plains during the cattle boom of the mid-to-late 1800s. Cowboys drove cattle along trails such as the Chisholm and Goodnight-Loving, performing roping, branding, sorting, and range management. Their techniques drew on Spanish and Mexican vaquero traditions, influencing gear and skills such as the lariat, branding irons, and wide-brimmed hats.

In modern ranching, cowboys perform daily cattle management, fencing, herding, and repair work. While long cattle drives are rare, the skills of roping, riding, branding, and cattle sorting remain central in many ranch operations and in rodeo competition. The role varies by region and agricultural practice, and technology has changed some tasks but not the core responsibilities of caring for livestock.

Cultural impact and attire: the cowboy has become an enduring symbol in United States and Western culture, with clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat, boots, spurs, bandana, and chaps. The image appears prominently in film, literature, and music, often mixing myth with reality.

Related terms include vaquero in Spain and Mexico, buckaroo in parts of the southwestern United States, charro in Mexico, and gaucho in the Southern Cone. Today cowboys may work as ranch hands, rodeo competitors, or in cattle operations, reflecting regional traditions and modern farming practices.