www.horsesandbuffalo.com

The accrual of horses in Wyoming began in the mid-1600s when local tribes gathered them not only for conveyance and hunting purposes, but as a sign of how wealthy the tribe was in comparison to other local tribes. The plains of Wyoming are ideal for cattle herding and when the Union Railroad arrived in 1867, it promoted the raising of cattle in those areas. But it wasn’t just the railroad. The Homestead Act, further endorsed ranching in the area, and was what continued to contribute to Wyoming’s already growing population of cattle ranchers. It also became a popular settling spot for those who had set off on the Oregon Trail. Around this time, Wyoming accumulated a vast amount of livestock and other farm animals due in part to the construction of efficient irrigation methods in the Wyoming territory. The amount of livestock caused overgrazing and tension continued to grow among fellow ranchers. The Johnson County War of 1892, which pitted local cattle ranchers against each other for control of the market. This view of the “Wild West” became firmly affixed to Wyoming’s reputation. On the Wyoming quarter, a cowboy is seen bucking a bronco. This symbol was adopted by the state in 2006. Their official state sport, rodeo, was established the same year.