A dude-wrangler is a cowboy or guide that takes non-wranglers and non-cowboys (dudes) on western riding horseback trips.

During the 1920s the wrangler's transition into the service economy reliant on tourism, while keeping alive the ‘romantic West,’ contrasted the original conception of wrangling as an occupation as it was previously characterised by self-reliance and expertise.

Wrangling in the film industry, as part of stunt work, requires extensive training and commitment in various disciplines.

This includes the ability of the wrangler to train horses for stunts and liberty work over long periods of time.

In order to prevent injury or health concerns with horses, the wrangler possesses a specialised role in an outfit.

Older wranglers are often responsible for the training of younger ones, passing down common knowledge and advice, rather than a broader and institutionalised education system.

[8] Wranglers could also be required to train actors to ride and drive horse-drawn wagons, and have a historical knowledge of horses and their uses.

Wranglers in the film industry are often involved with a larger variety of animals other than horses, including sheep and other livestock.

[11] Dude-wranglers are responsible for training horses and leading trips, as has long been custom, and have come to be expected to be charismatic and gentlemanly as part of their service.

Traditionally this would consist of roping and corralling the bronc, or unbroken, wild horse, and attempting to ride it until it submitted to the rider.

[14] Wranglers in locations such as Shenandoah in West Virginia advocate a type of modern wrangling which places the horse's wellbeing at the forefront of their practice.

Modern wranglers such as these also focus on building a trusting partnership between horse and rider based on natural horsemanship.

They can also be responsible for basic veterinary care, such as transporting animals, feeding them, branding them and accustoming or ‘gentling’ them to riders.

[14] The remuda must be spread out in suitable pasture, watered and easily separated into pens (corralled) for mounting when required in order for the wrangler to be performing his role successfully.

[23] Often when on a farmer's or ‘grangers’ roundup, the outfit would find an empty field or pasture to set up for the night.

They would either set up a large tent for the night, and when in good weather, would roll out the beds on any suitable flat surface outside.

[14] Wranglers are often the youngest men of the ranch and have often been romanticised for their toughness, looks and masculinity, especially as represented in film, literature and iconography.

[1][21] Typically wranglers have been dominantly represented as men, due to the tough physical demands of wrangling.

Many wranglers are also long-time locals who have grown up participating in equine and rodeo events, often with a similar heritage.

Wranglers and cowboys are becoming less and less common as they are replaced with modern occupations such as biologists and animal researchers who are often more reliant on education and theoretical knowledge, rather than having extensive practice with horses.