West Texas Cattle Kingdom (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780738596488)

Images of America: West Texas Cattle Kingdom relates the frontier saga of cowboys and longhorn cattle, of trail drives and great ranches. Cattle and horses were introduced to the Western Hemisphere by Spanish conquistadores and colonizers while Mexican vaqueros handled cattle from horseback, developing special techniques, equipment, and attire. Half-wild longhorns multiplied into the millions in the unpopulated brush country above the Rio Grande. After the Civil War, a hungry market for beef developed in the north. Texas cow boys learned the vaquero skills of roping and branding and adapted heavy-duty Mexican saddles, wide-brimmed hats, high-heeled boots, jingling spurs, leather chaparejos, and colorful bandanas. The adventure of driving large herds of cattle up the Chisholm Trail and other famous trails captivated America. Vast Texas ranches included the fabled King Ranch, the three-million-acre XIT, Charles Goodnight's JA Ranch, and El Rancho Grande of legendary Shanghai Pierce, who described himself as Webster on cattle, by God.

Author: Bill O'Neal
ISBN-10: 0738596485
ISBN-13: 9780738596488
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
Language: English
Published: 02/11/2013
Pages: 128
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.40w x 0.40d