A cowboy is someone who works on a ranch handling cattle and horses. Cowboys are most closely associated with the American West, thanks to art and literature that featured the American cowboy. The exact number of modern cowboys employed is unclear, but it is certainly far fewer than in the heyday of the American West. Cowboys work actively on ranches and also compete in rodeos to demonstrate their unique skills.

The term “cowboy” has been in use in English since at least the 1700s. In England, the term was used to refer to a young boy who was responsible for minding livestock. In many cultures, younger members of society are responsible for looking after livestock, because it is a relatively simple task when the livestock do not need to be moved.

The modern sense of the cowboy arose when cattle raisers started to see the potential for selling their cattle in other parts of the country, where the animals could command higher prices. Cowboys drove cattle across the massive grazing grounds of the West to help rotate pasture as well. Since herding cattle across long distances requires more skill, the occupation began to be reserved for older and more experienced men.

Cowboys acquired their skills from the Spanish vaqueros, who were skilled at handling cattle. The title of vaquero was corrupted by English speakers into “buckaroo,” a term still used in some regions of the United States. The skills of a cowboy came to encompass herding, cutting, roping, cooking, and veterinary care, as cowboys were often isolated from assistance by outsiders. A cowboy who specifically works with horses is known as a wrangler.

Along with the cowboy goes the cow horse, or stock horse. A cow horse should be sturdy, agile, and fast when necessary. Larger, stronger horses are used for roping, so that the horse can hold its own against a large cow or bull. One of the most common breeds of cow horse is the American Quarterhorse, a popular breed throughout the West for working cowboys and competitions such as rodeos.

Other things are closely associated with the cowboy, including the wide brimmed cowboy hat, which protects the eyes and face of the cowboy from the sun, and cowboy boots. Cowboy apparel usually includes heavy pants, chaps, and shirts designed to protect them from the elements. Cowboys and their horses also have accessories such as saddles, spurs, medical kits, rifles, and other tools of the trade. The trade has been heavily romanticized by many Americans.