The Cowboy and Cattle Drives Longhorn Cattle The

The Cowboy and Cattle Drives

Longhorn Cattle… • The Spanish explorers and missionaries brought cattle to Texas. • Longhorn Cattle are strong and hearty with long legs and curved horns they use for protection.

Open Range… • Before 1880’s ranchers did not build fences. They simply let their cattle roam freely • Cattle were branded to show ownership on the open range.

Roundup… • Since cattle roamed freely, cowhands had to gather up the cattle with their brand to drive them to market. • Calves had to be branded.

Branding… • Brand: is a designed burned into the hide of a cow to show ownership.

The Cattle Market… • How much were cattle worth in Texas? • 3 to 4 dollars • How much were cattle worth in Eastern Cities? • 30 to 40 dollars or 10 times as much • Where could Texans make the most money? • Selling cattle in Eastern cities

The Cattle market Problem Solving • In the 1880’s what was the quickest way to travel over land? • Railroad • Were there any railroads in Texas? • No • If you were a cowboy how would you get your cattle to the nearest railroad?

The Cattle Trails… • • Where do all the trails start? List several cities were the trails stop. All the cities are located on what? List all 5 of the cattle trails.

The Cattle Trails…

Closing the Open Range… • Barbed Wire: Twisted wire with sharp points or barbs. It was strung between post as a fence.

Closing the Open Range… • As barbed wire fences were built they cut off cattle from water. • Windmills were used to pump water from wells below the ground so cattle could drink.

Activity: • Make your own brand just like the cowboys used to. Use these sites to help you get ideas. – http: //www. barbwiremuseum. com/cattlebrandhistory. htm – http: //www. barbwiremuseum. com/Typical_Brand_Designs. htm – http: //www. barbwiremuseum. com/Collage_of_Brands. htm • Take out a scrap sheet of paper and draw your brand.

Supplies • • Scissors Pencil Glue or Glue stick Brown and Black Construction Paper

How to… • Trace your brand onto the black piece of construction paper. • Cut the brand out. Be very careful to make it look neat. • Take the glue stick or glue and put glue on the back of your brand place it on the brown construction paper.