Texas cowboys needed an easy way to get cattle primarily due to the booming demand for beef in the Eastern United States during the late 19th century. The vast open ranges of Texas allowed for large herds to graze, but efficient transportation methods were essential to move cattle to markets. Additionally, the development of railroads provided a quick and cost-effective means to transport cattle to major cities, facilitating trade and maximizing profits for ranchers and cowboys alike. This need for efficient cattle transportation ultimately contributed to the rise of the cattle industry in Texas.
Texas cowboys needed an easy way to get cattle to Kansas primarily due to the booming demand for beef in the eastern United States during the late 19th century. The cattle drives, facilitated by established trails like the Chisholm Trail, allowed cowboys to transport large herds efficiently to railheads in Kansas, where they could be shipped to markets in the East. This not only helped meet the growing demand for meat but also provided economic opportunities for ranchers and cowboys alike.
When Tim and Father go to Verplank's Point to sell cattle, they are stopped by cowboys. The cowboys say that they don't want the cattle to be sold to the british, since the rebels are short of every supply they need, but really just want to take the cattle and sell it themselves for money and other stuff. They really didn't care who got the cattle.
Cowboys largely ceased using the Shawnee Cattle Trail in the late 19th century, around the 1880s, as the demand for cattle drives diminished due to the expansion of railroads and the establishment of more efficient shipping methods. The trail, which had been used primarily for driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas, became less relevant as ranchers began to employ rail transport for quicker and more reliable delivery. Additionally, the rise of barbed wire and changes in land use further reduced the need for long cattle drives.
Horses are required to supervise, move, and round up the cattle in the vast grazing areas.
Horsemanship, handling and working cattle, spotting cattle that are sick, ability to work in all conditions, from the cold and rainy to the hot and sunny, etc.
Because the storm would scare the cattle away
It's mainly because there were large populations of longhorn cattle in that area, not to mention the Mexicans and Spanish descendants of those who came on the ship with Christopher Columbus were cattlemen and cowboys themselves. When Texas was taken over and made into a state of the United States, much of these people stayed here and were part of the reason that the cattle industry became so prevailent in that area, as well as areas west north and some of east.
Cattle trails began in south Texas and traveled northward because there was a high demand for beef in the northern states and territories. The open grasslands and mild climate in Texas provided ideal conditions for cattle ranching, leading to the need to transport cattle to markets and railroads further north.
A good cowboy can 'read' the cattle. He knows where the cattle need to get to but the cattle will help choose the path. They will follow familiar trails. The cowboy uses his horse to 'push' the cattle in the direction and speed he wants. A good cowboy knows how hard to push different ages of cattle. Cows that move among familiar pastures regularly almost move themselves. Cowboys get the cattle gathered into a herd and then there are usually outriders on the sides to keep the cattle headed the right direction and then there are trailing riders who push the cattle at the proper speed.
"Working" cowboys are paid by the ranch owner. "Rodeo" cowboys have to win their events to collect prize money. "Urban" cowboys work at normal jobs 9-5 and hang out in country western bars at night. "Rhinestone" cowboys ... well, who knows
Vaqueros is not an English word. It is the South American term for cowboys. The vaqueros rounded up their cattle.
Where else but where they left them, out on the pasture or range where they belong. They're very tough animals and don't need to be put in a barn or shed every night.