For the 21st century Texas cowboy, the daily rituals of life extend beyond the romance of the dime novel or Hollywood western, but few outsiders look past the conservative man slinging guns and riding a horse into the sunset. A quick look through the exterior of this myth, however, shows a glimpse of the common thread that ties humans together, regardless of their differences or disagreements. Like most young boys, but not most Danish boys, I dreamed of becoming a tough Texas cowboy and riding horses everyday and used this dream to step into the world of the working cowboy first in the spring of 2015 in Big Spring, Texas as an observer at a college rodeo.

Although an outsider myself, I was quickly welcomed and offered friendship, work on ranches, and long conversations about beliefs, family, and life. After the first visit to Texas in 2015, I was invited to come again in 2016 and 2017, and plans are already set for another long-term stint in 2018 split between west Texas and Idaho.

What began as a journey to find and follow modern-day cowboys at work, evolved into a close study of a few families who just happen make their living on ranches, compete in rodeos, train the next generation for horse-work. The men put in long, grueling hours at work but come home to play with their kids outside or visit with their wives and friends before the day ends. Religion and tradition fill the need for sustaining community and giving a sense of purpose to the struggles that inevitably come. The families stay close,