Hello? I am about as far as you can get from being a working cowboy and still live in the American Southwest. However, the reason that style of hat is popular with cowboys, sheep herders and other such people is that it is the most practical hat for the weather here. The broad brim keeps the sun and rain off your head, your eyes and the back of your neck, and the high crown (1 1/2 to 2 inches above the top of your head) provides insulation from the heat and cold. UV will go right through a ball cap sitting in contact with your scalp. I wouldn't have a Stetson, though...they don't fit very well. Most people I know wear Resistol hats or some kind of straw hat in that hated design.