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Cowboys were mounted herders hired by cattle owners in the United States to look after their stock. Cowboys keep the cattle together, guide them to pasture, prevent their being mixed with other droves, protect them from rustlers, brand them, and drive them to the shipping point.

The cowboy figured most significantly in American history during the period extending roughly from the end of the American Civil War through the 1890s, when transportation facilities were scanty in the western and southwestern U.S.. Cattle had to be driven to shipping points over long distances, and the cowboy needed great strength, endurance, and often ingenuity to complete the treks. Because of the lack of adequate law enforcement, his duties extended to providing security for his ranch and its stock.

The cowboy's arduous way of life tended to develop rough-and-ready virtues, as well as extraordinary skill in horsemanship and marksmanship. These qualities have acquired an almost legendary character in numerous tales and songs, making the cowboy a symbol of manliness both in the U.S. and abroad.

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