On a cattle drive how did the cowboys measure the distance they traveled?

On a cattle drive, cowboys often measured distance using a method called "counting the beats," where they would count the number of paces or hoofbeats made by the cattle and horses. Additionally, they sometimes relied on landmarks, such as hills or rivers, to estimate how far they had traveled. Cowboys also used time-based measurements, noting how long they had been riding or driving the cattle. In some cases, they referred to maps or guides that detailed the terrain and distances between key locations.