Cowboys on horseback are an iconic symbol of the United States, especially in the western part of the U.S. Riding horseback has been the principle means of travel for centuries and continued to be so throughout the early part of the last century for even the more modern parts of the world. Now seen as mostly an iconic representation of the past in many societies, riding horseback was eventually replaced by the modern transportation.

Cowboys are named such for their occupation as cow ranchers. A cowboy on horseback is able to gain the advantage on a herd of cattle by moving quickly and directing them in the way that they should go. A recreational sport which has resulted from this heritage in the American West is the rodeo, where cowboys wrestle and wrangle cows and ride bucking broncos(a type of horse).

This part of American heritage is still a very promenant part of cultural celebrations throughout the western United States. Parades with saddled horses and their riders are commonplace for both regional and national holidays when weather is warmer. Communities gather for rodeo events. There are even professional rodeo riders that travel from rodeo to rodeo and compete on a national level. All continuing the tradition of the cowboy throughout the American West.

This coloring page of this characterized cowboy shows him as a friendly fellow, perhaps as he would appear in a parade, atop his faithful steed.