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Cowboy Dictionary - Letter C

Calf - A young animal belonging to the genus Bos, which includes the species cattle. A calf can be either male or female. The plural of "calf" is "calves."


Camouflage - The ability to blend in with surroundings in order not to be noticed. In the animal kingdom, camouflage is an important safety factor many animals use in order to hide from predators.

Below: A Brahman, Simmental cross calf lies camouflaged in the grass.

Camouflage

Catch Pens - At a rodeo arena, the "catch pens" are the pens that hold the calves and steers used in timed events after they have finished their run in the arena.

We have more information about the catch pens, and why they are important to the performance of the calves and steers.


Cattle - An animal belonging to the family Bovidae, genus Bos, and species cattle. "Cattle" is a plural term used to refer to more than one animal.


Cattle Guard - A device set into the ground designed so that vehicles can drive over it, but livestock will not want to cross it.

Below is a common style of cattle guard. A hole was dug into the ground, then the cattle guard, a series of heavy, 2 inch pipes with gaps in between them, was set over the hole.

Below: A cattle guard.

Cattle guard


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Chaps (pronounced "shaps") - Leather leg coverings worn by cowboys and cowgirls for protection against weather, trees, brush, kicks, rope burns, and other hazards.

There are two common styles of chaps: Shotgun and batwing. Both styles buckle around the waist and are open in the back so a rider's seat is not covered. After that, there are several differences.

Below: Shotgun chaps.

Chaps, shotgun

 

Below: Batwing chaps.

Chaps, batwing

You can shop for chaps here.


Chestnuts - Horse chestnuts are normal, healthy growths found on most horse's legs. No one really knows why they exist, and they have been a subject of curiosity among horsemen for quite a long time.

Chestnuts appear on the front legs of a horse above the knee, or on the back legs of a horse below the hock. They can be large or very small. Some people call horse chestnuts "night eyes."

Below: A close-up look of a horse chestnut on a horse's front leg.

Horse chestnut

We have more information about horse chestnuts and ergots.


Chinning - "Chinning" is a behavior sometimes seen in cattle when they are considering jumping a fence or other obstacle.

When a cow (or bull, steer, etc.) "chins" a fence, she elevates her head slightly and puts her chin on, or very close to, the top rail. This seems to be her way of measuring the fence for height, and helps her decide whether or not to attempt to jump it.


Chinks - This definition has its own page. Please see What Are Chinks?


Clotheslined - Running into, or being ran into by, a solid object, and getting knocked off of your horse. For example, if a rider gallops under a tree and runs into a branch, an observer might say: "Wow, he sure got clotheslined by that tree limb."

Below is a photo of a ranch rodeo contestant getting clotheslined in the wild cow milking event. While getting clotheslined can be an embarrassment for a cowboy, we think a case like this is an exception. This was a cowboy who knew the risks but was willing to take chances in order to get a fast time for his team. After he was knocked off his feet he still hung onto the rope and slowed the cow so his teammates could catch up.

Below: A cowboy getting clothslined.

A cowboy getting clothslined

Working cowboys and cowgirls are sometimes clotheslined by ropes, such as in the photo above. If a roper catches a calf (or cow, etc.) and dallies, the rope between the calf and the horse can become a potential hazard. Other nearby riders or ground crew on foot are sometimes clotheslined with the rope, which can spook horses or knock people down.

To get clotheslined is usually an embarrassment for the roper and/or the other riders or persons that get clotheslined. Cowboys in and out of the saddle take pride in understanding and avoiding the potential dangers involved with roping.


Cold-Backed (Definition 1 of 2) - A horse that is broke to ride, but bucks when ridden for the first time that day or after a layoff of several days or longer.

Cold-Backed (Definition 2 of 2) - A horse with an overly sensitive or painful back.


Colt - A colt is a young male horse, 4 years old or younger. It is also sometimes used as a more generic term to refer to any young horse regardless of gender.


Cow (Definition 1 of 2) - A mature female animal belonging to the genus Bos, which includes the species cattle. Some females of other large animals, such as elephants and whales, are also called cows.

Below: A Texas Longhorn cow

A Longhorn cow

While the word "cow" is properly used to define a mature female, among cowboys and others in the livestock industries the term is sometimes used to loosely describe any member of the cattle species.

For example, a "cow sale" is a sale that sells cows, but it might also sell bulls, calves, and/or steers and heifers. When used like this the the term "cow" is slang for any bovine, and its usage is not considered to be incorrect.

You can shop for cow posters here.


Cow (Definition 2 of 2) - A way of describing a horse's innate ability to read and handle cattle. For example: "That horse sure has a lot of cow," or " That horse is sure cowy". Not all horses have cow, and among cowboys and cowgirls describing a horse as having cow, or being cowy, is a compliment.


Cowboy - Someone who takes care of cattle, primarily on horseback. Cowboys typically have excellent horsemanship and roping skills, and an extensive knowledge of horse and cattle husbandry.


Cowgirl - A female cowboy.


Crow Hop - A crop hop is a type of bucking in horses. We have more information about a crop hop, including a photo.


Crupper - A strap that runs from the back of the saddle or harness along the top of a horse or mule's rump, then underneath the tail. The purpose of a crupper is to keep the saddle or harness from sliding too far forward.

Below: A crupper.

Crupper



 

Definitions

Letters A - B

Letter C

Letters D-E

Letters F-G

Letters H-I

Letters K-M

Letters N-P

Letters Q-R

Letter S

Letter T

Letters U-Z

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