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Employee handbook for the cowboy

Julie

Well-known member
Just got back from a trip to Colorado --playing catch up. Will post some pics later!!

Employee handbook for the cowboy
Julie Carter ©2007

We live in a time when rules and regulations are everywhere. If the government hasn't regulated it, we, the people have.

We write rules and pass out manuals with job descriptions. We have laws to abide by while on the job or as members of most organizations.

A cowboy's job is not just a career. It is a heritage that has evolved over more than a century of man working with bovines. With it comes a code that isn't written in a manual.

These rules aren't printed and handed out at the bunkhouse or posted on the saddle room door.

They have been passed from generation to generation among the cowboys themselves and between father and son. These are laws of respect and cowboy etiquette that are just part of the job.

The concepts are age-old but still hold true today. But because more and more cowboys are "found" and not raised, fewer and fewer are aware of the content of this unwritten manual.

Genuine legitimate indisputable cowboys have influenced my life. Over the years, I have asked them to tell me what it was a cowboy should know in order to live true to the code.

If the cowboy had an employee handbook, these men all agreed that these simple laws, no matter which outfit it was on, would be included:

· Never ride another cowboy's horse unless it's a matter of life and death.

· Never use another cowboy's equipment without permission.

· Never ride between another cowboy and the herd. Always ride behind him to get where you are going.

· Don't ride in front of the boss. He knows what he wants to do. He will let you know what he wants you to know. If he's tracking cattle, stay back or you'll mess up the tracks.

· Never ride into the herd if you haven't been asked to do so. If you are holding herd, hold the herd - period. Helping to cut cattle from the herd is not a volunteer option.

· Don't ask the boss what you are going to do the next day. Again, if he wants you to know, he'll tell you.

· Always take care of your horse before you take care of yourself.

· Always be on time. Nothing makes a cow boss quite as mad as having to wait on someone.

· Cowboy, take that hat off! If you are in the presence of a lady or if you go into someone's house, show your respect and hold that hat in your hand. Watch your language in mixed company. If you are sitting in a room and a lady enters, stand up.

· Always help the cook with wood and water and don't ever get into his grub unless he asks. Always put your plate and silverware in the roundup pan (dishpan) after you eat.

· Don't ever take a dog when you go to help another outfit. They may not like dogs. Never yell at another man's dog.

· Always roll your bedroll when you first get out of it. ALWAYS leave a clean camp.

The best advice my mentors could offer was to always be respectful, dependable and do your best at whatever it was you were asked to do. Manners count.

There is no one finer to be in the presence of than a gentleman cowboy.

*************************************

See Julie’s website at www.julie-carter.com Pre-release sale price of new book good only until June 30!
 

Jerry H

Well-known member
thaks for posting this julie
folks would be real surprised to know how many guy's out here call themselves "cowboys" and don't have a clue about the unwritten rules of our life style
until later
jerry
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
Jerry H said:
thaks for posting this julie
folks would be real surprised to know how many guy's out here call themselves "cowboys" and don't have a clue about the unwritten rules of our life style
until later
jerry


Amen! :x
 

Julie

Well-known member
Do ya think there is any market for a big poster to be put on bunkhouse or saddle room doors?? :) :)
AT one time I thought perhaps Western Horseman should run these rules on a perforated page, easily torn out and handed to the new "cowboy" --who missed the lesson.
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
Julie said:
Do ya think there is any market for a big poster to be put on bunkhouse or saddle room doors?? :) :)
AT one time I thought perhaps Western Horseman should run these rules on a perforated page, easily torn out and handed to the new "cowboy" --who missed the lesson.

I used to go up to a friends and we'd pull a wagon out and camp and spend a couple days branding his calves. We always had some novices aong so once I wrote up some of the rules of the wagon and we read them out loud. Didn't make much of a difference. :roll:

I think a good cook with a big gonch hook would have taught them better and they dang sure would have remembered it! :wink:
 

Jerry H

Well-known member
no i don't think written and posted would sink in very well
nothing like old hands with ropes,bridle reins,and romels
or a cowboss with with an irrigating shovel to educate a young cowboy to the error of his ways
take my word for you don't forget when you learn from the old hands
until later
jerry
 

Julie

Well-known member
One cowboy in his "elderlies" wrote to me and said I'd nailed everyone of his pet peeves...and went on to say he'd roped a fella off his horse one time for riding tween him and herd....
Guess the greenhorn didn't do THAT no more :)
 

Judith

Well-known member
Guess cowboys train each other like I was trained!

I got the " i'm gunna count to three" ....one...two..WHACK, followed by "the world doesnt wait for three"..... Rather simple yet effective training technique!
 

nr

Well-known member
I wonder why the ancient symbol of removing one's hat became a sign of respect?? Where did that come from?
For women it seems to be the opposite- at least per the Bible- where the head was to be covered I heard as a sign she was under submission.
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
nr said:
I wonder why the ancient symbol of removing one's hat became a sign of respect?? Where did that come from?
For women it seems to be the opposite- at least per the Bible- where the head was to be covered I heard as a sign she was under submission.

My guess, when I come into my house and I am going to rest and relax, I take my hat off. If I am in a hurry, or mad and have more things to do, I leave it on.

So if a person comes into my house and doesn't take it off, I would suspect that they are mad, worried, or some such. Meaning that person might be bringing me bad news or not consider themselves to be a friend. An enemy probably wouldn't want to take his hat off as he might have to leave in a hurry, so he would want it on or close at hand.

I very seldom take my hat off in a food joint, ain't no place to leave it and if you do some low life would probably snitch it.

I take it off in a house, church or such.

Or in an audience, when setting to watch a movie or show. Even a rodeo, if it's a lady setting behind me. Or a short person.

As a child, men took off their hats in a dance hall and we were expected to do the same. Now, there is no place to go dance, so I don't know what I would do! :shock:

Quite an experience the first time I went to Elko and a lot of woman were wearing hats. We were in a bar listening to Ian Tyson's band and I danced with a nice lady we met and we both were wearing hats. Had to be careful not to hit the brims. Sure would make it tougher to snuggle with your dance partner, I guess. :wink:
 

IL Rancher

Well-known member
Someone explained it to me once nr and I'll be darned if I can remember what it is. I don't wear hats inside much, but I also don't wear a hat so much as I wear a cap as I have never gotten myself a "cowboy" hat since I was knee high to a grasshopper... But one of these days maybe.. But around here I best be carefull what style I or I might get confused with the Amish folks... Which wouldn't be the end of the world mind you but not something I am aiming for.

I do know if I am wearing a hat and I go to the father in laws place I best take it off before setting foot in his front door or I will be leaving down right fast or hearing about it for a long, long time...
 

Julie

Well-known member
very seldom take my hat off in a food joint, ain't no place to leave it and if you do some low life would probably snitch it.

Truly a dilemma of the times. Many fine gentlemen I know now wear their hats in restaurants because unlike the old days....no hat racks!!! And if you put it on a spare chair the waitress spills red chile or coffe in it, or if it's on the floor....well the obvious.

There is a "country club" here that still has the big wood sign "No hats on the dance floor." --the club has a dance about one year (New Year's Eve) :) :) but used often.

About a year ago, the county commissioners here had a guy removed from the commission meeting because he refused to remove his hat when he went to the podium to speak. There were a couple "cowboy" commissioners at the time and they were plum offended this guy had such bad manners --the guy in the hat is a dumb butt anyway but had to argue the point so the Sheriff removed him -- and he filed suit. It didn't get very far :)
 

the_jersey_lilly_2000

Well-known member
"No hats on the dance floor"

What kinda rule is that?

I'm all for takin off your hat when you go inside....etc.....

But if'n it's a Dance.....specially a "country dance" that'd be like askin a person to take off their boots.
 

Julie

Well-known member
Not sure WHY the no hats on the dance floor originated...but it is an OLD law in OLD dancehalls--but like JB said, darn few of those around anymore.
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
Why Julie, cuz it was considered rude.

Used to be anyone who wore a hat while dancing was taking a chance on getting knocked out from undertneath it, by some other feller.

I can remember seeing fellers dancing with the brim of their hat in their hand on the back of the lady they were dancing with.

I still know a feller or two who take off their hat when being introduced to a lady. Or a woman, even. :wink:

My nephews boy is spending time with us and he wants to wear a hat, but of course it spend more time off his head than on it as he's not used to wearing one. I keep telling him, the safest palce and the best place for your hat, is on your head. I think that is pretty good advice. :)
 

Jerry H

Well-known member
i was raised by my grandparents and they came from the old school where you learned manners or you had a real sore behind

even now i still do my best to pratice good manners
when it comes to my hat whitch if i go out side my house it's on my head
and i always take it off when i go into some ones house
and i always take it off when someone introduces me to a lady "they are all ladies until proven otherwise"
and when i go to church i leave it in the pickup
even though the church we go to has a bunch of hat racks i still leave it in the truck

i am doing my best along with my wife to raise our kids the same way
there is no exuse for not using good manners unless you were never taught them
until later
jerry
 

fedup2

Well-known member
Gene Autry's "Ten Commandments of the Cowboy"


1. A cowboy never takes unfair advantage.
2. A cowboy never betrays a trust.
3. A cowboy always tells the truth.
4. A cowboy is kind to small children, to old folks, and to animals.
5. A cowboy is free from racial and religious prejudice.
6. A cowboy is helpful and when anyone's in trouble he lends a hand.
7. A cowboy is a good worker.
8. A cowboy is clean about his person and in thought, word, and deed.
9. A cowboy respects womanhood, his parents, and the laws of his country.
10. A cowboy is a patriot.
 
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