Saddle Up! How to Be an Authentic Montana Cowboy

Cowboys still exist in Montana. You may not see them around that often, but there's a good reason for that. They're usually out working the land or tending to animals. Montana is one of the last remaining states where you can witness the true cowboy lifestyle.

What It Means to Be an Authentic Cowboy in Montana

Hard work, blood, sweat, and tears are staples of being a cowboy. It's not just wearing a cowboy hat and a new pair of boots. If you live in Montana, it's easy to spot a fake or a poser. Not everyone has what it takes to be an actual cowboy. It takes a special kind of person. I may work for a country radio station, but you'll never see me trying to dress up like a cowboy. I feel it's disrespectful to those that are doing the work and getting their hands dirty.

Most of the country artists that you hear on the radio "real" cowboys, but have made a career out of singing about the cowboy lifestyle. We asked own listeners to give us a definition of a cowboy in their own words, and we received several great reponses. You can read them below.

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Koty said;

What it means to be a cowboy. You worked a rodeo, have spurs, have animals or tend to animals, chew Copenhagen long cut. All of the above. You can dress like one, but a real one does all that for a living.

Wendy said;

A cowboy is someone who works with their hands, can fix just about anything, isn’t afraid of hard work, and works with and/or has livestock. Someone who can ride a horse and knows what a cow/calf pair is. But more than anything it’s the attitude of self reliance.

Kathleen said;

Living an honest life, respecting others and respecting critters.

Luke said;

Being a cowboy means love taking many forms. It's getting up before the birds, wolfing down biscuits and gravy with a steaming cup of Java and kissing the wife and kids just before the days chores. It's feeding your livestock before you feed your own family. It's putting on your leather gloves and fixing the many miles of fence that comes with the property. It's the beer that comes with the sweat and a few swear words after a long, hard day and sharing a good laugh because you're loving life. Getting up and doing it all over again day after day...all different forms of love...Being a cowboy...

Mary said;

In my humble opinion, and in my humble dreams, a real honest to God Cowboy possesses integrity in all areas of his life, proving only to God and country and family the metal of his worth.

Trish said;

A real cowboy is a kind man, true to his family and friends. Would give you the shirt off his back and help in anyway he could. He’d be a true gentleman but tough and firm when he needed to be. When I think of a cowboy I think strong, brave and honest.

Cheree said;

A cowboy can be defined by a simple John Wayne quote, "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway."

We'd like to thank everyone for sending us their definition of a "real" cowboy. What does being a cowboy mean to you? Send us a message on our station app and let us know!