Dallas Cowboys And Their Close Connection To Horses

What do you know about the Dallas Cowboys? If you are a fan, you probably know that they are synonymous with football greatness and that they have five Super Bowl wins, and a star-studded legacy.

So, did you know that they have a close connection to horses? After all, the name gives it off, right?

From players’ personalities to the team’s deep Texan roots, everywhere you look you are reminded of horses. This inspired us to take a closer look at a lesser-known side of the Dallas Cowboys — their connection to horses.

So, let’s dive into some equestrian topics and find out all the connections that the Dallas Cowboys have with horses.

Texas Roots and Cowboy Culture

First off, let’s address the name. The Cowboys’ name isn’t just a catchy phrase. It is a nod to Texas’ cowboy heritage, where horses play a huge role.

The team was founded in 1960, and ever since day one, they’ve tapped into the state’s cattle-driving past, which was actually shaped by Spanish vaqueros and post-Civil War ranches.

The early owner, Clint Murchinson Jr. embraced this identity, and by 1971, when the team moved to Texas Stadium in Irving, the connection even deepened.

Texas as a state has always been focused on horses. There are plenty of horse-racing tracks here, like the Lone Star Park, and obviously this passion is going to be reflected in their sports teams.

People also love horse racing betting here, and they are constantly browsing the best online horse racing betting sites looking for a good underdog opportunity.

The Logo and Signature

Although the Dallas Cowboys logo has always been a star, true fans remember the athlete riding a horse flag that is commonly seen in their matches even nowadays.

The horse comes naturally, and although they never had anything to do with horses in terms of symbolism, fans already accepted the cowboy culture.

After all, what’s a cowboy without a horse, right?

So, obviously, the Dallas Cowboys will always remind us of horses and true Texas culture.

Walt Garrison: The Rodeo Cowboy

The horse culture can also be spotted among the players. Only true fans of the Cowboys remember Walt Garrison, their running back from 1966 to 1974, who was a truly incredible athlete that embodied the team’s horse connection like nobody else.

We are talking about a Lewisville, Texas, native, who was a rodeo star before football, competing as a steer wrestler. Yes, not many football athletes can claim the same title as him.

When he signed with Dallas in 1966, his signing bonus wasn’t cash, but a two-horse trailer. Yeah, strange…

Garrison kept bulldogging on the weekends, even during the season, and he also said that he’d rather have a rodeo than play football.

Obviously, rodeos and horses were a big distraction to Garrison, and Coach Tom Landry had to ban pre-game rodeos after him. But despite his passion for horses, Garrison still racked up 3,886 rushing yards and a Super Bowl VI ring.

This is a pure horse lover coming from Texas.

Barry Switzer

Barry Switzer, Cowboys head coach from 1994 to 1997, brought his own equine flair. Before leading Dallas to Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996, Switzer was a horse racing aficionado at Oklahoma.

He co-owned thoroughbreds like Regal Sting, a stakes winner, and told The Oklahoman in 1995:

“I’ve always loved the track—it’s in my blood.”

Post-NFL, he dove deeper, partnering on horses that ran at Remington Park. His Cowboys tenure bridged football and racing, a dual passion that mirrored Texas’ wide-open ethos.

It seems like athletes and coaches in the Dallas Cowboys are handpicked based on their passions. If you are a horse racing enthusiast, you are good to go.

All jokes aside, this speaks a lot about the equine culture in the team.

Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback who was at the helm for three Super Bowl wins (1992, 1993, 1995), has a subtler horse tie. Raised in Henryetta, Oklahoma, near ranch land, Aikman grew up around horses.

After retiring, he’s kept it low-key but owns property in Texas horse country and has been spotted at equestrian events.

In a 2024, he said:

“Horses were everywhere growing up—it’s part of who I am.”

His understated love reflects the team’s broader cowboy roots.

AT&T Stadium

Even the Cowboys’ home, AT&T Stadium, nods to horses.

Since opening in 2009, the Arlington venue—25 miles from the famed Fort Worth stockyards—has hosted rodeos alongside football. The 2023 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo prelims rocked the stadium, drawing 10,000 fans.

It is rare to see an official football team’s stadium being turned into a rodeo show. This is only possible in Texas.

Tailgates feature fans like Duncan and Sheriff, who’ve trotted through lots of pre-game. The stadium’s Texas-sized vibe—80,000 seats, a retractable roof—embraces this horse-friendly culture, tying the team to its Lone Star soul.

Final Words

So, do the Dallas Cowboys have any rock-solid connection to horses — no. But horses have always been a part of the team’s culture, or at least in the beginning.

Throughout the team’s history, we cannot find any connection with horses or horse racing at a franchise level, meaning that the team has always focused on football.

However, the culture of the team, coming from Texas, has always evolved around horses.