What’s rarely noted and is missing in this discussion about the cowboy myth is that taking care of animals requires commitment to their welfare and a lot of knowledge (HCN, 6/09/08). Without this, you’re unemployable as a cowpoke and an outfit can’t survive economically. If you can’t handle feed and supplement needs with changing seasons, growth periods, and reproduction cycles; if you can’t take care of animal health needs when no veterinarian can be had; if you can’t recognize good stock to acquire in the first place, you aren’t worth much as a cowhand.
Blacks shouldn’t be counted out of this story, either. Like Guinda, Calif., home to generations of blacks. Like Al Jones, who is pictured in J. Frank Dobie’s book, Cow People — Jones drove cattle north out of Texas 13 times, four of them as trail boss.
Michael Garabedian
Citrus Heights, California
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Making a hand.
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