Portrayal of Cowboys

     The stereotypical cowboy  as portrayed by Hollywood is one who wear a cowboy hat, has a do-rag, carries a magnum (hand gun), and a rope to use as a lasso. This in fact, is how Hollywood has portrayed them, and has made us believe what this is actually what they looked like.
     The real cowboy had so much to them other than what they carried or looked like. They had to go through a tough life and many struggles. Cowboys were not just born from one day to the other. They needed to have some sort of power.
      A cowboy was not just some big masculine guy who would accomplish everything in his way. A cowboy was someone who worked very diligently and worked very hard. A cowboy had a tough lifestyle. He did not just ride around in his horse, shooting people, doing draws and fighting over a woman at the town saloon. A cowboy would work just as hard as anyone else. He would have to herd his cattle, which would be a very difficult task, which would require much time and patience as the cattle's movement was unpredictable.
     Cowboys in the 1800's were very responsible. They would work all day to be able to have enough money to buy food for himself and his family. He would also be involved with agricultural work that made him very tired. He would have to be able to take care of his horse, because what is a cowboy without his horse? If you said nothing, then you in fact are correct. Without his horse, he would not be able to accomplish his tasks. He would not be able to travel long distances or herd his cattle or do basic agricultural work. 
     A cowboy had a very rough lifestyle. They were not given anything. They were not handed jobs, they had to go seek them. This means, they had to go from town to town seeking for a job. This trip could take hours on a horse, just as it could take days. The climate was dry, causing De-hydration to be a major problem to them. Horses would be weakened and get sick. The man himself might get as sick as well. If he ended up sick, who knew what would happen to him? No one. There was no urgent medical help. He had to wait it out, his body would be the factor that chose life or death. He has to lay down and rest, many times they would end up dead, as diseases were too strong to be conquered, and in such conditions it was hard for a cowboy to get back up on his feet in perfect health. He had to work diligently to be able to get his food at the end of the day. If he had no task that day, guess what? He did not get to eat that night. Cowboys did not have a settled place to stay at. They would have to reside in motels most of the time. Sleeping in dirty beds. Beds where there could have been a human with a severe disease. Dirty sheets never to be cleaned.

     Of course Cowboys needed to have their fun too! They deserved it after so many days of cruel, time taking, rough work. They would usually go to a saloon grab a drink with his good buddy and tell stories! This was what they enjoyed most, telling their stories, of their travels, of their hard life. There would also be Rodeos where they would have many "cowboy" activities. This could be like who could lasso a cattle the best or just plain horse shows. They enjoyed playing cards.
     So please, Hollywood, If you are going to tell a story tell it right. Don't deceive us. We want 100% truth! Cowboys were alot more than a tall masculine guy. He was someone who deserved the title as a cowboy. Someone who deserved respect. So next time you watch a Hollywood movie, do not believe them, do your research and you will see that how they portray that character is COMPLETELY wrong. The real thing is actually a whole lot more interesting

Image source: http://www.cartermuseum.org/collections/smith/images/details/LC-S6-357.jpg
Image source: http://www.cartermuseum.org/collections/smith/images/details/LC-S6-542.jpg