The History of Cowgirls

Even though they are named after cowboys, cowgirls wore cowboy boots, too. In fact, in the early days, cowgirls even worked in the cattle drives. Some even ran them.

Women made large contributions to the development of the west. Women worked side by side with men on ranches and farms. This was especially common among small ranches and farms that could not afford to hire a lot of workers outside of the family.

However, it was Wild West Shows that brought what we now know as cowgirls. In these shows, cowgirls were performers. They would ride, shoot, and rope for audiences everywhere.

Before these shows, sidesaddles were the respectable option for women. But soon, split skirts made it possible for women to ride astride. This allowed women to compete alongside men without offending the audience.

Cowgirls soon became a part of rodeos, too. Women and men competing for the same titles became more and more common. In many instances, women were taking the same risks as men, riding the same rough horses and bulls as the men did.

But in 1925, women were excluded from men’s events. Many of the events for women were dropped, too. That practice holds true for most events even today, even though women can technically compete in any event they wish.

All women rodeos, however, give girls in their cowboy boots a chance to shine in all events. Women compete in bronco and bull riding. These rodeos do not have a lot of the restrictions for women that normal rodeos do.

This does not, however, mean that cowboys and cowgirls are not equal. While cowboy boots were named after the men, women have been just as influential in the western culture. While the color of their cowboy boots might be different, they are fit for the same work.