Sunup to Sundown: A Day in the Life of a Cowboy

Before the world woke up, cowboys were already hard at work. The chill of the morning, the smell of strong coffee, and the endless horizon ahead—this was their life.

From sunup to sundown, it wasn’t just a job; it was a way of life. But what did it really take to live like a cowboy?

Let’s pull back the curtain on a day in the life of these rugged men and women who shaped the American West. 

[INTRO MUSIC]

Howdy y’all, Chip Schweiger, here. Welcome to another edition of Way Out West.

The podcast that takes you on a journey through the stories of the American West, brings you the very best cowboy wisdom, and celebrates the cowboys and cowgirls who are feeding a nation. 

There’s something magical about the open range. The way the sunrise paints the horizon in shades of gold. 

The quiet hum of the prairie, broken only by the rustle of cattle and the rhythm of hoofbeats. 

It’s a life of hard work, sure—but it’s also one of freedom, grit, and a connection to the land that’s hard to put into words.

So today on the show, we’re stepping back in time to ride alongside the cowboys who lived it. 

Their days were long, their challenges were plenty, but their stories? Timeless.

So, pull up something to sit on, and join me as we explore a day in the life of a cowboy.

After the episode, check out the show notes at WayOutWestPod.com/cowboy-life

[MUSIC]

Chapter 1: Welcome 

Welcome back. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most iconic figures of the West—the cowboy. 

But let me tell you, their lives weren’t all about riding into sunsets or shootouts at high noon. 

Nope, it was early mornings, long days, and plenty of grit.

So, saddle up! 

We’re about to ride through a typical day in the life of a cowboy. 

By the end, you might just have a new appreciation for their hard work and spirit.

Let’s get to it!

Chapter 2: Setting the Scene

Picture this: It’s the late 1800s. You’re out on the open range, somewhere in Texas or maybe Kansas. 

The land stretches endlessly—rolling hills, dusty trails, and not a single skyscraper in sight. 

The air? The air smells like sagebrush and leather.

It’s quiet, except for the occasional lowing of cattle or the jingle of spurs. This is the cowboy’s office. 

No cubicles here—just the great outdoors.

But don’t let the peaceful scene fool you. A cowboy’s day was anything but easy. 

Let’s start at the beginning—before the sun even thought about rising.

Chapter 3: Morning Routine

First light? Forget it. Cowboys were up before dawn. No snooze buttons out here.

They’d roll out of their bedrolls—what they called their 'soogans'—and shake off the cold. 

Breakfast? That was courtesy of the chuckwagon cook, or ‘cookie.’ Coffee so strong it could float a horseshoe, biscuits, and maybe some bacon if you were lucky.

Then it was time to saddle up. Each cowboy had their own string of horses—usually five or six—and they’d rotate them to keep them fresh. 

Your horse wasn’t just your ride; it was your partner, your lifeline out here.

And before you even touched a head, you had to check your gear. 

A busted saddle or a frayed rope could mean trouble. 

Cowboys were part ranch hand, part handyman.

Chapter 4: The Workday Begins

Once the sun started creeping up, the real work began. Herding cattle.

Now, this wasn’t some gentle stroll in the park. You had to keep thousands of cattle together, moving them across miles of open range. 

And cattle? Well, they don’t exactly follow directions.

Stampedes were a constant fear. So imagine this: 

A loud thunderclap spooks the herd, and suddenly, you’ve got 2,000 panicked steers running full speed. Cowboys had to ride hard, fast, and smart to get things under control.

Then there were predators—wolves, coyotes, even the occasional bear. 

Cowboys weren’t just herders; they were also protectors.

And let’s not forget the weather. Blazing sun, freezing nights, sudden storms. 

You worked through it all.

One cowboy once said, 

'The trail is long, the days are longer, but the memories are worth every mile.' 

And he wasn’t wrong.

Chapter 5: Midday Break

By midday, it was time for a break—if you could call it that.

The chuckwagon was the heart of the operation. 

Cookie would whip up beans, salted pork, and maybe some sourdough biscuits.

Simple, but it kept you going.

And let me tell you, cowboys didn’t waste food. Every crumb counted.

Here’s a fun fact: Cowboys would sometimes carry a sourdough starter in their saddlebags. That way, they could make fresh bread even out on the trail.

Lunch wasn’t just about eating. It was a chance to rest, swap stories, and maybe even sing a song or two. 

But it didn’t last long. There was always more work to do.

Ok, let’s take a real quick break, but when we come back let’s keep going through to the rest of the day. Don’t wander off—be right back.

[Music]

Chapter 6: Evening Wind-Down

Welcome back. When the sun started to set, the day wasn’t over yet.

First, you had to unsaddle your horse and make sure it was fed and watered. 

Cowboys took care of their horses before themselves. And they still do to this day.

Then it was time to set up camp. Bedrolls unrolled, fires lit, and maybe—just maybe—a little time to relax.

Around the campfire, cowboys would sing songs or tell stories. 

Ever heard of 'Home on the Range'? 

That’s the kind of tune you’d hear out here.

But it wasn’t all fun and games. Cowboys also had to keep watch at night. Someone always had to stay up to make sure the herd didn’t wander off or get attacked.

It was a long day, and by the time you hit your bedroll, you were bone-tired. 

But there was something about sleeping under the stars that made it all worth it.

Chapter 7: The Reality Check

Now, let’s not romanticize it too much. Cowboy life was tough.

You were away from family for months at a time. The pay? 

About $30 a month—not exactly rolling in riches.

And the work was dangerous. A bad fall, a snake bite, or a stampede could end your career—or worse.

But for many cowboys, it wasn’t about the money. 

It was about freedom. The open range. The pride of a job well done.

As one cowboy put it, 'You don’t choose this life—it chooses you.' 

And for those who lived it, there was nothing else like it."

Chapter 8: Closing Thoughts

So there you have it—a day in the life of a cowboy. 

It wasn’t easy, but it was a life filled with purpose, adventure, and a connection to the land.

Next time you see a cowboy hat or hear a western tune, I hope you’ll think about the grit and spirit of the folks who shaped the American West.

OK, before we wrap up this week, we’ve got one more thing. I know you know what it is.

Chapter 9 - Cowboy Glossary

[BULL SOUND]

Yep, that distinctive call from Buster the Bull means it’s time for the cowboy glossary term of the week. 

And today, the term is "Dogie"

A dogie (pronounced doh-gee) is a motherless calf on the range. These orphaned calves were often weaker and required extra care from the cowboys during cattle drives.

Fun Fact: The term is said to have originated from the word "dough-guts," referring to calves that were orphaned and underfed, giving them a pot-bellied appearance. Cowboys would often adopt a dogie as their own, showing their softer side amidst the rugged life.

[OUTRO MUSIC]

Chapter 10 – Thanks for Listening

That’s it for this episode of Way Out West. Thanks for riding along with me today. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts—could you have made it as a cowboy or cowgirl? 

Let me know on Instagram or Facebook.

And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow fans of the West. 

That helps us to get this to more folks.

This is Chip Schweiger reminding you to stay true to your roots, work hard, and always tip your hat to the cowboy way. 

We’ll see y’all down the road.