Ranchers in Texas began raising cattle as early as 1830.
Adopting the methods of the vaqueros of Northern Mexico, ranchers allowed their cattle to graze over public lands, and the era of the open range began.
When the cattle strayed too far, the rancher hired hands to help in a cow hunt to bring the cattle home.
Twice annually, cowboys herded the cattle to a central place, where they sorted them according to their markings; and marked the new calves with the owner's brand.
They separated diseased or injured animals from the herd and counted and selected cattle to go to market.
Roundups required more skill than any other phase of a cowboy's job.
Like an athletic contest, much friendly rivalry developed, and when the work was finished, the cowboys often held a large celebration called a rodeo, which attracted as many as several hundred cowboys.
They competed in horseback riding, steer wrestling, calf roping and other tests of skill.
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