The Cowboy Code of the West......Laws to Live By

"few cowboys ever owned much. The primary reward of being a cowboy was the pleasure of living a cowboy's life."

I Love this quote...a cowboy's life is.....hard working...has simple pleasures.....working the land with your own hands.........has simple rules...

Cowboy Code of the West

-If it's not yours, don't take it.
-If it's not true, don't say it.
-If it's not right, don't do it.
-Cowboy's word is his sacred bond
-Bargains sealed with handshake are more binding than legal documents
-be loyal
-Demand square dealings
-Be proud of your occupation
-Lay down your life, if necessary, for the privilege of defending your outfit
-Grant quick assistance to friends and strangers in need
-Never tolerate cowards
-Be cheerful
-Endure hardships without complaining
-Don't make excuses
-Try to be better than the other fella
-Never quit
-Share anything you own with a fellow worker
-Be generous with your life and money
-Treat women like ladies
-Never shoot an un-armed or un-warned man
-Stealing and rustling are evil wrong doing

The cowboy code of the west meant that in the Old West a contract was sealed by a handshake. A cowboys word meant something. Good character was a valued commodity. A cowboy's reputation followed him from town to town.

The code of the west helped the cowboys to know that when a wrong was done to someone there were consequences. That people who did not follow the code were probably not of good character.

Hence why there were not that many laws in the old west...... (like today!!)

Cowboys and ranchers knew from the code what right and wrong were. It was wrong to steal a horse. Breaking into a man’s cabin and assaulting his daughter was wrong period, no excuses!

Here is a story from the old west....depicting how important and serious the code of the west was



"Two cowpunchers out looking for work rode up to a Texas ranch in time for dinner, expecting the customary offer of a free meal. The boss fed them, but afterward demanded 50 cents in payment. Outraged at this violation of Western hospitality, the men roped a three-year-old steer belonging to their host and used a saddle ring to brand on its flanks the message: "Meals—50 cts." The steer was left to roam the range and proclaim the owner's ignominy."

Today, our world is missing these basic of common sense "laws". I know today's world is much different from the world of the old west- but the values and common sense of the code of the west need to be apart of all our lives today.

There are many cowboy and cowgirl's who live by this code today........



Myself and my company, Buckaroo Leather, started over 30 years ago stand by and live the Code of the West. I strive to keep the spirit of the old west and the code alive today....

I encourage all you cowboys and cowgirls to do the same..........Ride American!!!!!!


All the photos featured in this post are of the Buckaroo John family in 1915.


Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Western Leather Horse Tack Springtime Check.....

The groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.......six more weeks of winter!!!! So how do horse men and women "chopping at the bit" for that first spring ride pass the time...????

They start by taking out their western leather horse tack and do a "spring check" on all their horse equipment. The "spring check" includes cleaning, oiling, and conditioning your leather horse tack. This check of your leather horse tack is vital to insuring your first spring ride is safe and enjoyable for both you and horse.

Western Leather Horse Tack Spring Check List

First-

Take everything apart and inspect all your leather horse tack, including your saddle for wear. Especially at all areas ("picture 1") where your tack folds around the bits, buckles and saddle riggings. This is where there will be the most wear and stress. You need to replace any parts cracked or stretched. Chancing it is not worth the safety risk. Take your time; your piece of mind is worth it.

Secondly -

Clean all your leather horse tack and saddle with lots of water and glycerin saddle soap. Don't be afraid to get your leather tack wet. You have to get all the dirt and sweat out.

Third -

Hang all your horse tack to dry. Before it is completely dry, oil with a good quality neatsfoot oil. The drying process will help suck the oil into the leather.



The western leather horse tack "spring check" is a great habit to get into, not only for adults, but for children too. Teaching your children about quality AMERICAN MADE leather tack and it's proper care will insure the safety of both your child and horse.

It will also give you a sense of pride and confidence in your saddle and horse equipment....

This springtime check is essential to keep your leather horse tack in good working order for the safety of both rider and horse. Not to mention increasing the longevity of the leather. Cleaning is important but checking the durability of your leather horse tack is vital.

One of the ways to stop the wear on your saddles billets, are Wear Leathers!

One of Buckaroo Leather's innovations is the Wear Leathers (pictured above) on all our offside billets. The wear leathers stops your saddle rigging dee rings from wearing into the billets, which can cause a stress point!!

You can purchase the wear leathers separately!! Buckaroo Leather always puts safety first! The wear leathers can be added to any billet. Slides on very easily!

To find out more about the Off Side Billet Wear Leather, click here to watch our How-to-Video!

Along with the leather horse tack spring check an important thing to remember is knowing you have quality leather horse tack to begin with!

Buckaroo Leather prides itself on the AMERICAN MADE quality leather we use from Hermann Oak Leather to manufacture all of our western leather horse tack. A quality leather horse tack will be more durable and much less likely to crack making it safer!

The following will give some guidelines to follow when choosing Quality Leather Tack.

The Four Key things to look for in Quality Leather are:

1. Feel
.......Is the leather soft and supple? If it feels “dry” probably not quality. Even though “harness” leather may seem roughed out it still has a soft and pliable feel

2. Smell......
Yes, it important to “smell the Leather. Quality leather has fresh warm smell, whereas inferior leather can have a chemical or ammonia like smell. Off odors are the first hint of leathers tanned quickly and inexpensively.

3. Color
......Even so, some Quality leather may be dyed it will still show the pliability and fresh smell noted above. Inferior leather seems to be “dull”. Dark color dyes can hide lower quality and poorly matched leathers.

4. Check the Details
.......Examine the fine, even stitching (less than 12 stitches to the inch) with all ends neatly finished and tucked in is a hallmark of good workmanship and quality tack. So are edges that have been skivved and burnished or rubbed until they are round and hard before being dyed. Look for durable hardware with strong steel tongue buckles and rounded edges that won’t cut into the leather.




Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the
Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

The Spirit of the American Cowgirl Is Alive.......

In a past blog post, I wrote about a popular poem called "When I am an Old Horsewoman" written by Patty Barnhart.

Patty is a true American Cowgirl, riding and working the land on her Guest Ranch, Willow Springs . The ranch is run "off the grid", they have propane, solar energy and a wind generator. They even have campfires with good old dutch oven fare.!!

With this poem, I posted a photo of a "Cowgirl" that suited the poem. The photo was chosen from the internet.....it is a great photo that captured the spirit of the poem (see the pic above).

Well I know why..the photo is of Connie Reeves another true American Cowgirl. I just recently learned that there is a movie being produced about her.....

"American Cowgirl" is a project started by Jamie Williams, a photographer and a true cowgirl at heart. She was raised in Lubbock, Texas on a ranch and farm.

Jamie began this "American Cowgirl" project because......

"When one considers the image that America has of itself and that the world has of us, the great icon is the cowboy. When one looks at the real history of our country the contributions of women are always short changed.

All of the women in the Old West weren’t school marms or dancehall girls. And all of the women on the ranches didn’t wear bonnets and ride on the buckboards.

They were, and still are, women in the saddle."...Jamie Willliams

As part of the project, Jamie Williams started a movie, featuring 4 cowgirls, including Connie Reeves.

Connie Reeves was a cowgirl all her life. She was on a horse at 101 years of age, her favorite horse, a 28 year old paint.."Dr Pepper"

Her favorite saying was.."Always saddle your own horse"..Connie Reeves

Connie Reeves was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame one of her numerous achievements. She was a true American Cowgirl........




To learn more about Connie Reeves and the American Cowgirl project by Jamie Williams and how you can be apart of this project go to the website, www.americancowgirl.com and visit the blog and watch the American Cowgirl Trailer here.


Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

A New Trend for Horse Tack....Belt Headstalls

A New Trend for Horse Tack....Belt Headstalls

Great Basin Split Ear Headstall

There is a new style trend emerging for horse tack for all you cowgirls...and cowboys!!!

It is the Belt Headstall. Today we see these particular belt style headstalls with a lot of "bling", with swarovski Crystal conchas and lots of sparkles!!!

Buckaroo Leather has been handcrafting traditional belt headstalls from quality leather for years.

Our old time Belt headstalls, also known as Great Basin Vaquero headstall, Visalia headstall or sage brush headstall is handcrafted and designed after the traditional headstalls used by the Great Basin Vaquero's. The Vaquero's of the old west!


Buckaroo Leather prides itself on preserving the traditional styles of the Vaquero. Our belt headstalls are available in a few different widths, including the most used and traditional style 1 1/4" width.

We also have these belt headstalls available in double ear headstalls, slide ear headstalls, and the split ear headstall.

Keep the old west alive with these American made handcrafted traditional Vaquero belt headstalls.....

Gag/Snaffle Old Visalia Headstall

Great Basin Tooled Split Ear Belt Headstall

Cowboy Traditional One Ear Headstall

Sage Brush Split Ear Belt Headstall

Pro Harness Old Visalia Style Headstall

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Buckaroo Leather Has Gone to the Dogs...Western Leather Dog Collars Available

Buckaroo Leather knows all you cowboys and cowgirls love our handcrafted, quality, western leather horse tack. But did you know, that now you can have that same hand craftsmanship with a one of a kind western leather dog collar.


Dog Collar History

Dog collars have been around since Ancient Egypt. Dogs in Ancient Egypt were considered hunters or protectors not pets. The Egyptians used dog collars in all their dog training. The dog collars became quite artistic.



In ancient Greece dog collars were used more to protect the dogs. Farm dogs wore spike studded collars and sheepdogs wore a leather collar studded with nails. These studs protected both dogs from being bitten in the neck by a wolf.

An interesting fact is that sheepdogs needed to be white, so they could be seen at night. While the farm dogs had to be black, so they could be concealed to surprise intruders.


In the Middle Ages, dogs were used as hunters and shepherds. The dog collars used were made from simple leather for boar and hare hunting.

In Europe, during the Renaissance, owners used plain dog collars, but added rings for leashes and name tags.



Buckaroo Leather Western Dog Collars and Leash

Today, you can get your choice of a plain dog collar with a leash, a collar adorned with beautiful conchas and we can Custom handcraft your dog collar to match your leather horse tack. (no studs though!!!!)

You have a choice of beautiful scalloped Hermann Oak Leather in Black Latigo, Burgundy Latigo, or medium oil Golden Brown leather.

Create a custom leather dog collar for your "best friend"...with your own dogs style and personality!!

Just give BuckarooJohn a call at 530-545-0139 or email john@buckarooleather.com to help you create your western dog collar.

Western Dog Collar & Leash Set

You will LOVE the quality of our newly designed Western Dog Collars & Leashes. Beautiful 3/4" Hermann Oak leather available in Black Latigo, Burgundy Latigo, or Medium oil Golden Brown. Made with heavy weight supple Leather. Collar & Leash matching Set are 3/4" wide. Collar Length is measured from the buckle to the middle hole in set of holes. Our hand engraved Silver Conchas available in 2 styles.

Dog Collar & Leash Scalloped Set with Silver

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site