Common Sense Agriculture's Blog

On this National Day of the American Cowboy, I felt inclined to post my version of the “code.”

• Live by the Golden Rule.
• Practice tolerance and understanding of others.
• Be hospitable to strangers. Anyone who wanders in, including an enemy, is welcome at the dinner table.
• Do not inquire into a person’s past. Take the measure of a man for what he is today.
• Never pass anyone without saying “Howdy”.
• Never steal or trespass. Thieves and trespassers pay with their life.
• Defend yourself whenever necessary.
• Family ALWAYS comes first.
• Look out for your own.
• Remove your hat for women, sitting at the table, entering a church and the barber.
• Riding another man’s horse without his permission is nearly as bad as making love to his wife. Do not even bother another man’s horse.
• When you make a promise, keep it.
• Always drink with your gun hand, to show your friendly intentions.
• Do not practice ingratitude.
• A cowboy is pleasant even when out of sorts. Complaining is what quitters do, and cowboys hate quitters.
• Always be courageous. Cowards aren’t tolerated in any outfit worth its salt.
• Always help someone in need, even a stranger or an enemy.
• Give your enemy a fighting chance.
• Real cowboys are modest. A braggart is not tolerated.
• Be there for a friend when they need you.
• Drinking on duty is grounds for instant dismissal and blacklisting.
• Honesty is ABSOLUTE - your word is your bond, a handshake is more binding than a contract.
• ALWAYS take responsibility for your actions.
• Live each day with honesty and courage.
• Take pride in your work. Always do your best. Never take short cuts.
• Stay curious. Study hard, learn all you can and never stop reading, especially the Good Book.
• Do what has to be done and finish what you start.
• Be tough, but fair.
• Be willing to stand up for what’s right.
• Respect the land and the environment by not smoking in hazardous areas, disfiguring rocks, trees, or other natural areas.
• No matter how weary and hungry you are after a long day in the saddle, always tend to your horse’s needs before your own, and get your horse some feed before you eat.
• Be an excellent steward of the land, the wildlife and your animals.