COWBOYS: live in many countries-Australia, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Mongolia   but  none has captured the imagination as much as the cowboy of the American  west.  Cowboys helped to settle the west and thus played an important part in  American history.  Real cowboys are hard workers and are rarely as colorful as  they  are  portrayed in  films or on TV.

THE FIRST COWBOY: The American cowboy’s story began in 1493, when  Columbus,  on his second voyage, brought the first cattle were driven into what is  now the United  States.

WHAT A COWBOY WEARS:  Naturally all cowboys don’t dress the same, but some  kinds  of clothing have become standard equipment because they help the cowboy in  his  work. He is known best for his tight blue denims with colourful, long-sleeved  cotton  or  wool shirts.

The cowboy’s hat a famous called a Stetson from the name of a famous hat  maker,  is made of felt. Its broad brim keeps the sun and rain out of the cowboy’s  eyes. In cold  weather, the hat can be folded down to keep the cowboy’s ears warm.

The cowboy’s narrow-toed boots slip easily into his stirrups. The high heel   prevents  the cowboy’s foot from going too far forward. It can also be dug firmly into  the  dirt when roping. Boots are made of quality leather, usually lined with a softer  skin.

Spurs are used to guide the horse. A good horse turns or stops at a light touch of  the  spurs.

GUNS AND LARIATS: Guns were the cowboy’s protection against Indians, rustlers,  and  wild animal. The Colt single-action revolver, model 1873, and the Winchester  rifle,  model 73, were the two most famous guns. But the cowboy’s most important  working  tool  was his Lariat, made of rawhide or of a saddle below the horn.  Cowboys of the  southwest used a shorter Lariat than the California and Oregon  cowboys.

SONGS, DANCES, AND LEGENDS: Cowboys believed that music soothed restless  cattle,  so they often sang as they rode about the herd at night. Cowboys also enjoyed  group  singing around a campfire. Some of their songs were about daily life and  work. Others  were lively songs of humorous happenings.

Cowboys also enjoyed square dances. If there was a shortage of women at the  dance,  some of the cowboys were “heifer-branded”. Each wore a handkerchief tied  around his  arm to show that he was taking the part of a woman during the dance.

Cowboys also spent many hours around campfires telling long tales.

FILMS: have helped to keep the cowboy popular. Many of the actors were once  cowboy  themselves. Some have become singers and entertainers. Others cowboys  act  as  stunt men for film stars. Western films, which usually show the hero  overcoming enemies  and obstacles, are popular all over the world.