CATTLE DRIVES

WHAT ARE CATTLE? Cattle is another

word for cows Cattle typically are

associated with having horns and hoofs

WHY WERE CATTLE IMPORTANT? They provided food!

WHERE WERE MOST CATTLE RAISED?

Texas Think: Texas Longhorns

WHY DID CATTLE RANCHERS WANT TO GET THE CATTLE TO THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN STATES?

In Texas there were five million head of cattle, but beef was scarce in the Northern and Eastern states

WHAT IS A CATTLE DRIVE? A cattle drive is the process of moving

a herd of cattle from one place to another

Usually moved and herded by cowhands (cowboys) on horses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtEygEb5yaU&feature=related

WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE FOR COWHANDS DURING A CATTLE DRIVE?

Very hard! There were about 3,000 cattle per drive At least 10 cowhands were needed, and

each cowhand had three horses Cowhands had to work shifts of 24

hours a day-herding the cows in the right direction during the day and watching them at night

TWO IMPORTANT CATTLE TRAILS The Great Western Trail

Started in Bandera, TX Ended in Dodge City, KS

The Chisholm Trail Started in Rio Grande, TX Ended in Abilene, KS http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=06P-ERCA17M&feature=related

WHY DID CATTLE DRIVES END IN THE LATE 1800S?

More railroads were being built, so it was easier to ship cattle by train than by cattle drives