Cowboy boots originated from the need for protective footwear for horsemen. Today's styles are derived from both the "Wellington boot," made popular in Britain by the first Duke of Wellington, and the "Hessian boot," a copy of the military boots worn by Hessian soldiers. Both boots were usually made of brown or black leather with a 1-inch flat heel, and pull-on straps. Gone are the days when cowboy boots were only worn by cowboys. Today, cowboy...