Editing Cowboy (section)

==Rodeo==
{{Main|Rodeo}}
The word ''rodeo'' is from the Spanish ''rodear'' (to turn), which means ''roundup''. In the beginning there was no difference between the working cowboy and the [[rodeo]] cowboy, and in fact, the term ''working cowboy'' did not come into use until the 1950s. Prior to that it was assumed that all cowboys were working cowboys. Early cowboys both worked on ranches and displayed their skills at the roundups.<ref name=Vernam395>Vernam, pp. 394–395.</ref>

The advent of professional rodeos allowed cowboys, like many [[Sportsperson|athletes]], to earn a living by performing their skills before an audience. Rodeos also provided [[employment]] for many working cowboys who were needed to handle livestock. Many rodeo cowboys are also working cowboys and most have working cowboy experience.

The dress of the rodeo cowboy is not very different from that of the working cowboy on his way to town. Snaps, used in lieu of buttons on the cowboy's shirt, allowed the cowboy to escape from a shirt snagged by the horns of [[Cattle#Terminology|steer]] or [[bull]]. Styles were often adapted from the early movie industry for the rodeo. Some rodeo competitors, particularly women, add sequins, colors, silver and long fringes to their clothing in both a nod to tradition and showmanship. Modern riders in "rough stock" events such as [[saddle bronc]] or [[bull riding]] may add safety equipment such as [[kevlar]] vests or a neck brace, but use of [[equestrian helmet|safety helmets]] in lieu of the [[cowboy hat]] is yet to be accepted, in spite of constant risk of injury.