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Java Games: Flashcards, matching, concentration, and word search. |
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Ch. 16 - The Changing West - Cowboy Gear
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bandana,  | Worn about the neck and knotted in back, this item protected the cowboy’s neck from sunburn. He could also pull it up over his face during a dust storm, or tie it over his head to keep his ears warm during cold weather. It had first aid uses, too; as a sling, a bandage, or a tourniquet in case of snakebite. And the cowboy also could quiet a skittish horse by blindfolding the animal with this item. |
pistol,  | Many a cowboy carried this item at one time or another, but on trail drives, he used it mostly for hunting or to kill any animals stalking the herd. Cowboys generally were not sharpshooters, because they had little time for target practice and ammunition was expensive. And, it was difficult for a cowboy to ride all day with this item strapped to his hip or saddle. |
chaps,  | These items protected the legs from heavy brush and rope burns. They buckled around the waist and looked like seatless trousers. Some variations were covered with wool or fur for cold weather. |
boots,  | Another prized possession, these items came to just below the knees to keep out stones and twigs and protect the legs. Early versions were Civil War leftovers and had flat heels and round toes. Later models had higher heels to hold the feet in the saddle’s stirrups, and the toes became more pointed. The bottoms were made of thin leather so that the cowboy could get a good feel for the stirrups. |
lariat,  | For roundups, brandings, and cattle drives, cowboys were never without this item. Some were made of twisted grass and others of braided rawhide. Most were 30 to 60 feet long, and it took much practice to become skilled at using one. |
saddle,  | The ranch usually owned the horses that its cowhands rode, but cowboys personally owned this item and were quite willing to pay several months’ wages for a good one. It might weigh between 30 and 40 pounds. Made on a wooden frame and covered with leather, it curved up in the front and back. This item also had a horn around which a cowboy could wrap a rope. |
hat,  | The cowboy considered this his most prized possession, because it protected his head from sun, wind, and rain. He was willing to pay a lot of money for a good one. |
pants,  | In the early days of the cattle drives, this piece of clothing usually was made of wool. It was pocketless and fitted high to the waist, occasionally supported by a belt or suspenders, which were more comfortable during long hours in the saddle. Cowboys wore vests if they needed pockets. |
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Brushton-Moira Central School |
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