Editing Cowboy (section)

==Modern work==
[[File:Cattle round up.jpg|thumb|Cattle drive in [[New Mexico]]]]
{{See also|Ranch}}

On the ranch, the cowboy is responsible for feeding the livestock, [[livestock branding|branding]] and earmarking cattle (horses also are branded on many ranches), plus tending to animal injuries and other needs. The working cowboy usually is in charge of a small group or "string" of horses and is required to routinely patrol the rangeland in all weather conditions checking for damaged fences, evidence of [[predator|predation]], water problems, and any other issue of concern.

They also move the livestock to different pasture locations, or herd them into corrals and onto trucks for transport. In addition, cowboys may do many other jobs, depending on the size of the "outfit" or [[ranch]], the [[terrain]], and the number of livestock. On a smaller ranch with fewer cowboys—often just family members, cowboys are generalists who perform many all-around tasks; they repair fences, maintain ranch equipment, and perform other odd jobs. On a very large ranch (a "big outfit"), with many employees, cowboys are able to specialize on tasks solely related to cattle and horses. Cowboys who [[horse training|train horses]] often specialize in this task only, and some may [[horse breaking|"Break"]] or train young horses for more than one ranch.

The [[Bureau of Labor Statistics|United States Bureau of Labor Statistics]] collects no figures for “cowboys” ''per se'', and the definition is broad, encompassing ranch hands to rodeo performers, so the exact number of working cowboys is unknown. Working cowboys or ranch hands  are included in the 2003 category, ''Support activities for animal production'', which totals 9,730 workers averaging $19,340 per annum. In addition to cowboys working on ranches, in stockyards, and as staff or competitors at [[rodeo]]s, the category includes farmhands working with other types of livestock ([[sheep]], [[goat]]s, [[Pig|hogs]], [[chicken]]s, etc.). Of those 9,730 workers, 3,290 are listed in the subcategory of ''Spectator sports'' which includes rodeos, [[circus]]es, and theaters needing livestock handlers.

===Attire===
Most cowboy attire, sometimes termed ''[[Western wear]]'', grew out of practical need and the environment in which the cowboy worked. Most items were adapted from the Mexican ''vaqueros'', though sources from other cultures, including [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] and [[Mountain man|mountain men]] contributed.<ref name="Rickey">Rickey, Don, Jr. ''$10 Horse, $40 Saddle: Cowboy Clothing, Arms, Tools and Horse Gear of 1880s'' The Old Army Press, First printing, 1976. LC no. 76-9411.</ref>
* [[Bandanna]]; a large cotton [[neckerchief]] that had myriad uses: from mopping up sweat to masking the face from dust storms. In modern times, is now more likely to be a silk neckscarf for decoration and warmth.
* [[Chaps]] (usually pronounced "shaps"<ref>Cassidy, Frederic G., ed. [[Dictionary of American Regional English]], vol. I. Cambridge/London:Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1985 {{ISBN|0-674-20511-1}} (vol I).</ref>) or [[chaps|chinks]] protect the rider's legs while on horseback, especially riding through heavy brush or during rough work with livestock.
* [[Cowboy boot]]s; a boot with a high top to protect the lower legs, pointed toes to help guide the foot into the [[stirrup]], and high heels to keep the foot from slipping through the stirrup while working in the saddle; with or without detachable [[spur]]s.
* [[Cowboy hat]]; High crowned hat with a wide brim to protect from sun, overhanging brush, and the elements. There are many styles, initially influenced by [[John B. Stetson]]'s [[Boss of the Plains]], which was designed in response to the climatic conditions of the West.<ref>Snyder, Jeffrey B. (1997) ''Stetson Hats and the John B. Stetson Company 1865–1970''. p. 50 {{ISBN|0-7643-0211-6}}.</ref>
* [[Gloves]], usually of deerskin or other leather that is soft and flexible for working purposes, yet provides protection when handling barbed wire, assorted tools or clearing native brush and vegetation.
* [[Jeans]] or other sturdy, close-fitting trousers made of canvas or denim, designed to protect the legs and prevent the trouser legs from snagging on brush, equipment or other hazards. Properly made cowboy jeans also have a smooth inside seam to prevent blistering the inner thigh and knee while on horseback.

Many of these items show marked regional variations. Parameters such as hat brim width, or chap length and material were adjusted to accommodate the various environmental conditions encountered by working cowboys.

===Tools===
[[File:Texascowboys2.jpg|thumb|Modern Texas cowboys]]
* [[Lasso|Lariat]]; from the Spanish "la riata", meaning "the rope", sometimes called a ''lasso'', especially in the East, or simply, a "rope". This is a tightly twisted stiff rope, originally of rawhide or leather, now often of nylon, made with a small loop at one end called a "hondo". When the rope is run through the hondo, it creates a loop that slides easily, tightens quickly and can be thrown to catch animals.<ref name=Vernam297>Vernam, p. 297.</ref>
* [[Spur]]s; metal devices attached to the heel of the boot, featuring a small metal shank, usually with a small serrated wheel attached, used to allow the rider to provide a stronger (or sometimes, more precise) leg cue to the horse.
* Firearms: Modern cowboys may utilize a [[rifle]] to protect livestock from wild animals or feral dogs.  Rifles may be carried on horseback in a  [[scabbard]] attached to a [[saddle]]. Riders may instead carry a [[pistol]]. ln modern use, firearms are often carried in a [[pickup truck]] or [[All-terrain vehicle|ATV]].
* [[Knife]]; cowboys have traditionally favored some form of [[pocket knife]], specifically the folding cattle knife or stock knife. The knife has multiple blades, usually including a leather punch and a "[[Sheepsfoot knife|sheepsfoot]]" blade.

[[File:Brauner.JPG|thumb|upright|A stock type horse suitable for cattle work]]

===Horses===
{{See also|Stock horse}}
The traditional means of transport for the cowboy, even in the modern era, is by [[equestrianism|horseback]]. [[Horse]]s can travel over terrain that vehicles cannot access. Horses, along with [[mule]]s and [[burro]]s, also serve as [[packhorse|pack animals]]. The most important horse on the ranch is the everyday working ranch horse that can perform a wide variety of tasks; horses trained to specialize exclusively in one set of skills such as [[calf roping|roping]] or [[cutting (sport)|cutting]] are very rarely used on ranches. Because the rider often needs to keep one hand free while working cattle, the horse must [[neck rein]] and have good ''cow sense''—it must instinctively know how to anticipate and react to cattle.

A good [[stock horse]] is on the small side, generally under 15.2 [[hand (length)|hands]] (62&nbsp;inches) tall at the [[withers]] and often under 1000 pounds, with a short back, sturdy legs and strong muscling, particularly in the hindquarters. While a [[team roping|steer roping]] horse may need to be larger and weigh more in order to hold a heavy adult [[cow]], [[bull]] or [[Cattle#Terminology|steer]] on a rope, a smaller, quick horse is needed for herding activities such as [[cutting (sport)|cutting]] or [[calf roping]]. The horse has to be intelligent, calm under pressure and have a certain degree of 'cow sense" – the ability to anticipate the movement and behavior of cattle.

Many breeds of horse make good stock horses, but the most common today in North America is the [[American Quarter Horse]], which is a [[list of horse breeds|horse breed]] developed primarily in [[Texas]] from a combination of [[Thoroughbred]] bloodstock crossed on horses of [[Mustang (horse)|mustang]] and other [[Iberian horse]] ancestry, with influences from the [[Arabian horse]] and horses developed on the east coast, such as the [[Morgan horse]] and now-[[extinct]] breeds such as the Chickasaw and Virginia Quarter-Miler.

===Tack===
{{Main|Horse tack}}
[[File:WesternSaddle2.jpg|thumb|A western saddle]]
Equipment used to ride a horse is referred to as ''[[horse tack|tack]]'' and includes:
* [[Bridle]]; a Western bridle usually has a [[curb bit]] and long split [[rein]]s to control the horse in many different situations. Generally the bridle is open-faced, without a [[noseband]], unless the horse is ridden with a [[Martingale (tack)|tiedown]]. Young ranch horses learning basic tasks usually are ridden in a jointed, loose-ring [[snaffle bit]], often with a [[Martingale (tack)|running martingale]]. In some areas, especially where the "California" style of the ''vaquero'' or ''buckaroo'' tradition is still strong, young horses are often seen in a ''[[bosal]]'' style [[hackamore]].
* [[Martingale (tack)|Martingales]] of various types are seen on horses that are in training or have behavior problems.
* Saddle bags (leather or nylon) can be mounted to the saddle, behind the cantle, to carry various sundry items and extra supplies. Additional bags may be attached to the front or the saddle.
* [[Saddle blanket]]; a blanket or pad is required under the Western saddle to provide comfort and protection for the horse.
* [[Western saddle]]; a saddle specially designed to allow horse and [[equestrianism|rider]] to work for many hours and to provide security to the rider in rough terrain or when moving quickly in response to the behavior of the livestock being herded. A western saddle has a deep seat with high [[saddle|pommel]] and [[saddle|cantle]] that provides a secure seat. Deep, wide [[stirrup]]s provide comfort and security for the foot. A strong, wide [[saddle|saddle tree]] of wood, covered in rawhide (or made of a modern synthetic material) distributes the weight of the rider across a greater area of the horse's back, reducing the pounds carried per square inch and allowing the horse to be ridden longer without harm. A [[Western saddle|horn]] sits low in front of the rider, to which a [[Lasso|lariat]] can be snubbed, and assorted dee rings and leather "saddle strings" allow additional equipment to be tied to the saddle.<ref name=Vernam298>Vernam, p. 298–299.</ref>

===Vehicles===
The most common motorized vehicle driven in modern ranch work is the [[pickup truck]]. Sturdy and roomy, with a high ground clearance, and often [[four-wheel drive]] capability, it has an open box, called a "bed", and can haul supplies from town or over rough trails on the ranch. It is used to pull stock trailers transporting cattle and livestock from one area to another and to market. With a [[horse trailer]] attached, it carries horses to distant areas where they may be needed. Motorcycles are sometimes used instead of horses for some tasks, but the most common smaller vehicle is the [[All-terrain vehicle|four-wheeler]]. It will carry a single cowboy quickly around the ranch for small chores. In areas with heavy snowfall, [[snowmobile]]s are also common. Some jobs remain, particularly working cattle in rough terrain or close quarters, that are best performed by cowboys on horseback.
[[File:Broncobuster3.jpg|thumb|A rodeo cowboy in [[saddle bronc]] competition]]