As the ever-practical cowboy adapted to the modern world, his equipment and techniques also adapted, though many classic traditions are preserved. The English word cowboy has an origin from several earlier terms that referred to both age and to cattle or cattle-tending work.

Jul 28, 2025 · Cowboy, in the western United States, a horseman skilled at handling cattle, an indispensable laborer in the cattle industry of the trans-Mississippi west, and a romantic figure in American folklore.

Apr 26, 2010 · Though they originated in Mexico, American cowboys created a style and reputation all their own. Throughout history, their iconic lifestyle has been glamorized in countless books, movies and...

May 3, 2022 · From Montana to Florida, real cowboys still play an important role in American society. Here are 15 regions where cowboy culture is alive and well.

Jul 24, 2025 · Celebrate the enduring legacy of the American cowboy. Discover the history, traditions, and values that make National Day of the Cowboy special.

Aug 6, 2009 · Cowboys come in many different varieties. The working cowboy and the urban cowboy are worlds apart, with many other flavors in between. Historic photos and artwork depicting cowboys break all the stereotypes and may just blow your mind!

Dec 23, 2016 · A cowboy is generally considered to be someone who tends cattle herds on North American ranches—usually from horseback. Historically, cowboys were regarded as independent, self-reliant, resourceful, proud, fearless and sometimes reckless.

The cowboy tradition began in Spain when the earliest European settlers brought cattle to the Americas. As Americans pushed westward, many Mexican vaqueros were working cattle, and the new settlers learned from them.

Jul 19, 2025 · Utilizing Spanish riding techniques, specialized gear, and local knowledge, vaqueros became experts at managing large herds across rugged terrain. Their innovations and practices formed the basis of what would later become cowboy culture in North America. For more on these origins, visit Smithsonian Magazine.

A cowboy is an animal herder, usually in charge of the horses and/or cattle, on cattle ranches, especially in the western United States and Canada. The cowboy tradition began in Spain and was subsequently transported into North and South America, where it developed its unique and enduring character.