Silver and the Californio Vaquero Influence

When we think of silver, we think jewelry and maybe our Grandmother's sterling silver serving set. But in the equine world, silver is associated with beautifully adorned parade or show saddles, and the engraved Conchos and buckles used to adorn leather horse tack.

The Californio Vaquero's started this great tradition of saddle and horse tack decoration. Vaquero's were skilled horseman who took great pride in their horsemanship and their gear. Looking good was as important as riding well.

The Californio Vaquero's western Saddles were truly works of art. While the decoration styles remained very traditional, the saddle's decoration changed by geographical location and time. The Vaquero adorned their saddles with leather lacing, leather carving or stamping and of course engraved silver work.

This silver work can still be seen on Western Saddles of today. The Western Saddles of today reflect the beauty and tradition of the old Vaquero style. This silver decoration can be subtle or extreme. Whether it is an elaborate show or parade saddles or a custom everyday saddle, they all reflect the riders pride in their horsemanship and distinct style.

Below are just some of the ways to adorn your saddle with engraved silver:

On custom saddles, Horn Caps and Nameplates can be customized.

Silver trim is available in sets or as individual pieces. The most basic set includes two corner plates for the back corners of the skirts, a cantle plate, a horn cap, and 4 large and 2 small conchos. In addition to these pieces, you'll find silver trim designed for accenting stirrups and tapadaros(are covers or hoods for the front of the stirrups), fenders, swells, rigging plates, latigo holders, buckles, breast plates and breast collars.

Silver trim is also available for saddle pads and blankets. This type of trim is most common with show tack. You'll find silver conchos and silver bars available for holding competition numbers in place. The trim attaches with either Chicago screws or with cufflink backs.

Buckaroo Leather has built a family business using USA made products and employing USA citizens to assure YOU, Our valued Customer the Finest in Quality leather horse tack. In the tradition of the Californio our product has a timeless quality and our attention to the hand crafted beauty of both the engraved silver and tooled leather is unmatched!

Buckaroo Leather hand crafts many of the traditonal styles of Vaquero horse tack and western horse tack with beautiful conchos and buckles to dress them up! Below is a list of those products:

Breast Collar-

Brass Heart Concha Hand crafted from the finest Hermann Oak Golden Bridle leather, this Old Martingale style shaped Choker breast collar features an over the shoulder fit for a better pulling position. It is Hand basket stamped and Also featured is the adjustable Over neck strap and connector billets. The breast collar is hand tooled, edged, rubbed and finished with soft chap lining and beautiful authentic old style solid brass Heart concha.

Mane Hair Mecate 

Mane Hair Mecate 5/8" - 22' long, 6 Strand Braid. Beautiful Quality and hand braided These are the best we have found braided in the old California Vaquero Style.

Horse Hair Hackamore 

Complete Hackamore Set includes an all natural color beautifully hand braided 16 or 14 plait 5/8" rawhide core rawhide bosal w/ Hermann Oak harness head piece attached with Cowboy knot adjustment and Mane Hair Mecate 5/8" - 22' long, 6 Strand Braid. This Hackamore features our best quality all rawhide core bosal; a beautiful piece of "Old Style" rawhide braiding.

Old Buckaroo Style Headstall- 

Beautifully Hand Basket Tooled "Old Buckaroo" Style Browband Headstall with cowboy shaped cheeks and nickel buckles. Lined and stitched w/soft chap lining and finished with 1 1/2" Antique Berry Slotted Conchas on top of hand tooled rosettes and blood knot ties, repeated at the brow & bit ends for a truely unique look.Sterling Antique

Concha Buckle Set

Beautifully hand engraved in the "Old Mexico" style, this 1 3/4" Sterling Silver Antique Concha Buckle set features a berry edge, fits a 5/8" headstall or belt and gives your tack a unique look!

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.......

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