Although cattle rustling - the stealing of cattle - began in ancient times, the concept did not become well known and romanticized until the 19th century during what is now called the days of the "Wild West". It is during this period that ranchers commonly raised cattle using the open-range method, allowing them to freely graze - and in the process, making the cattle very vulnerable to thievery. Cow rustling became so pernicious that cattle barons and ranchers eventually were forced to hire armed guards to protect their cattle.