True, reality cowboy travel did not resemble Hollywood. Most cowboys were expected to provide their own saddle & tack, but rode a "string" provided by their employer. If they were unemployed and taveling, they either went by train or purchased their own horse. If they could afford a saddle horse, they likely could afford a pack horse. If they were to take a one horse overnighter, they took a canteen, rifle, ammo, biscuit (or something), and maybe 2-3 lbs. of oats. The horse grubbed off the ground and if the path was not along a river, the horse drank again the next day (maybe). Most foot or horseback travel was up and down waterways and by 1880, settlements and farms were somewhat common along those waterways. In winter, most people didn't travel much, and other times of year the bedroll WAS the saddle blanket and slicker. Also, the winter that wiped out many of the big spreads was 1886, I believe.