Activity Books Cattle in Colorado History | Page 5

Spanish Americans started many ranching traditions . They lived and worked in the American southwest long before the pioneers from the United States moved into the area . These ranchers used the Spanish system of handling cattle . These customs were developed over hundreds of years in Spain and were later used in Mexico .
Spanish settlers brought horses and cattle to Mexico some 400 years ago . The cattle were set free to graze and reproduce . Soon there were huge herds and large Spanish ranches throughout northern Mexico . Those who rode horses and cared for cattle
became known as vaqueros , from the Spanish word vaca , which means cow .
The American cowboy borrowed many tools and clothing customs from the vaqueros -- the Spanish cowboy . Wide brimmed hats helped protect the cowboy from the sun and rain . Leather pants , called chaps , protected their legs from thorns and bushes . They built saddles and included a special feature , called a horn , on which to tie their ropes .
Many words used in ranching come from the Spanish language . “ Bronco ” is the Spanish word for wild horse . The word “ corral ” is a Spanish word .
Match the Spanish word with its description . los chapperreras the lasso ( loop in a rope )
las espuelas the rancher ( person raising cattle )
la guitarra
the chaps ( the outer pair of leather trousers used as protection against chaparral , dense brush )
el cinco the lariat ( a rope )
el laso the spurs la rista or reata the cowboy
el ranchero the cinch ( strap used to hold saddle in place )
vaquero or charro the guitar
Did you know ? The bandana , or kerchief , is and was the most useful piece of equipment the cowboy had . This 24 ” by 24 ” square piece of material was worn by the cowboy around his neck as a kerchief . Just a few of the uses that a cowboy might have for his bandana are as a mask against dust , a filter for dirty water , a means of cooling himself on hot days by putting the wet bandana under his hat , a sunscreen , earmuffs , for first aid , blindfolds to calm frightened animals , flags and markers , and as material used to make emergency repairs . The word “ bandana ” actually comes from India . It is a Hindi word which refers to the dyeing of fabric in the pattern which we now consider to be the classic bandana .