Ride Along with the Cowboys of the American Frontier
Wild West cowboys were workers who looked after cattle on ranches across the western United States during the 1800s. Their job was to care for large herds of cattle, ride horses across the open range, and help move cattle to markets and railroad towns.
One of the most important jobs cowboys did was the cattle drive. Ranchers in places like Texas needed to move thousands of cattle to towns where railroads could transport them to cities in the eastern United States. Cowboys guided these herds along long trails, sometimes travelling hundreds of miles over several weeks or months.
Life as a cowboy was not as glamorous as it often appears in movies. Cowboys usually woke up before sunrise, spent long hours in the saddle and worked in all kinds of weather. They had to keep cattle from wandering away and protect them from dangers such as storms, rivers or stampedes.
Cowboys used special tools and clothing for their work. A lasso, or rope, helped them catch cattle. Their wide-brimmed hats protected them from sun and rain, while leather chaps protected their legs when riding through rough bushes and tall grass.
Want your child to go further? Our Wild West pack has a story, magazine and activities
Although cowboys are often shown as lone heroes in stories, they usually worked as part of a team on a ranch.
Cowboys relied on each other during long cattle drives
Most cowboys lived and worked together on large ranches
Moving large herds required coordination and skill
Cowboys sang songs around the campfire to calm the cattle at night