A cutting horse is a stock horse, typically an American Quarter Horse, bred and trained for cutting, the ranch skill in which horse and rider separate a single cow from a herd of cattle and keep it from returning. By the late 19th century, cattle trading had become an industry, making cutting horses an indispensable tool for ranch hands. Large herds grazed freely on the open ranges, and strays that wandered off often joined the herds of other ranchers, so cattle roundups became an annual or semi-annual routine. Cowhands traveled with a remuda, a herd of horses from which they selected mounts, and some horses had specialized skills for different herding jobs. The elite members of the remuda showed a unique awareness of cattle, with wariness, perked ears, and eyes focused on the herd. Their "cow sense" helped separate one or more cows from a herd, allowing cowboys to finish their work more quickly and easily. These horses were considered the best cutting horses and were crucial to a cowboy's work, and ranch hands held informal competitions to see who had the best horse. On today's ranches, cutting horses are still valued as an invaluable tool because they are quick, agile, instinctive in how cows behave, and able to assist their riders with cattleman's duties. Through intense training and work with the ranch herd, cowboy and horse build a strong bond of loyalty and respect, and the horses are the pride of a cowboy.