Round ‘em Up and Head ‘Em Out! What Does it Take to be a Cowboy?

The agricultural industry is big business in the United States, and it takes skilled cowboys to manage the herds of animals needed to keep farmers in business and food on our tables.  By strict definition, a cowboy herds animals or tends to cattle on ranches in North America.  Cowboys typically rely on horses to carry them across the rugged terrain of fields and pastures as they care for their herds.

Throughout history, cowboys have shown off their talents in rodeos and promoted the culture by attending parades and expositions.  They’ve been the subject of songs like “Home on the Range” and “Red River Valley” by Gene Autry.  And of course, who can forget classic cowboy movies like “Unforgiven” with Clint Eastwood or the modern-day “3:10 to Yuma” with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale?

The earliest cowboys can be traced back to Spain.  European settlers from Spain were well skilled in handling their equestrian partners and would ride horses across the wild terrain to guide their animals from pasture to pasture.  As time went on, American cowboys took on similar appearances with standard saddles, stylish and functional boots, and of course, the trademark cowboy hat.

However, being a cowboy is much more than fulfilling the job duties on a farm.  Deep in the blood of every cowboy is a desire to achieve something larger than themselves.  They dream of conquering the vast plains visible on the horizon and achieving a connection with the land and the animals that graze upon it.  They rely on their own two hands to manage the work and bring home the bounty for their families.  The cowboy is a symbol of adventure and embodies a love for rugged wildness and the challenges of nature.

The work of modern-day cowboys hasn’t changed a lot over the years.  While some may use new technology like 4×4 trucks or ATVs, the work of today’s cowboys is just as difficult as the early days.  It’s not uncommon for a group of cowboys to work together to move a large herd of cattle over mountain passes and travel 30 miles or more on horseback throughout the journey.  These cattle drives are often family affairs–with everyone from the youngest children to the elders helping out along the way.

Cowboys share many characteristics, but two big ones are ingenuity and perseverance.  Out in the fields, cowboys have to think on their feet and solve problems with whatever resources are around them.  Saving a calf stuck in a mud bog miles away from the nearest road can be next to impossible, but cowboys will find a way.  And once they are committed to a plan, they’ll stick with it to see it through to the end.  No matter how desperate the situation, that calf will undoubtedly make it back to the barn by nightfall.

It’s easy to see why there’s such great pride in being a cowboy.  It’s more than a lifestyle–it’s a commitment to excellence combined with a deep connection to nature.

If these words connect with you, you might enjoy our cowboy mudflaps.

Show off your cowboy spirit with a set of drill-less mudflaps from DuraFlap.  Our mudflaps are made of the highest quality materials and fabricated right here in the U.S.A.  Since they require no additional drilling, they’re not only easy to install, but they will also help keep your truck from rusting over the long run.  We have over 100 pre-designed artwork selections available in our online catalog, or we can custom produce one based on your sketches.  Check out our Barrel Racer, Bronco, and Cowboy Up designs.  In the end, you’ll protect your rig from debris that gets kicked up from the road, and your truck will be a perfect embodiment of your cowboy spirit.  Contact us today to order your new set of cowboy mudflaps.