Rockwell Smith's depiction of a group of horses being herded over the rocky desert by a leather-clad cowboy on horseback is evocative of the hot and arid landscape of the American West as well as the strenuous and rugged lifestyle of the classic cowboy. Galloping at full speed, the horses herded by the cowboy run to the left of the viewer, while the cowboy on horseback works dutifully to keep up with them.
