Working with his horse, a laço, "boleodoros", and a knife, gauchos rode around the Pampas, killing wild cattle whose he sold secretly. They were usually , and did not become respectable until they fought with San Martin for Argentine freedom. After some time, many gauchos began working for "hacendados" and spent their lives helping huge herds of cattle over the Pampas. They liked to choose where they worked and traveled from place to place.