Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Rawhide...The Mexican Iron Used by the Vaquero's







Clint Eastwood In Rawhide

  You may have heard the term rawhide ( and I am not talking of the 1960's series starring Clint Eastwood) when speaking about different types of leather horse tack. Rawhide is the hide of an animal that has been kept in its natural state and has not been treated. This is different from the leather process. Leather is the hide of an animal that has been altered by a special "pickling" process called "tanning". After this process is completed the hide is termed "tanned". These different processes make the look and feel of leather quit different than the look and feel of rawhide. Leather's strength and utility properties are also different than those of rawhide.




Most rawhide originated from the skin of buffalo, deer, elk or cattle. It was prepared by removing all the fur, meat and fat. The hide was then usually stretched over a frame before being dried. The resulting material was hard and translucent. It could be then shaped by rewetting and forming before being allowed to thoroughly re-dry. The rawhide was then rendered more pliable by bending repeatedly in multiple directions. This happened by rubbing it over a post and even sometimes using a traditional method of chewing. The rawhide was also oiled or greased for a degree of waterproofing.






"California Vaqueros," painted by James Walker, 1875.


Rawhide was one of the most useful products of the pioneer cattleman. From it he made ropes, hobbles, clotheslines, bedsprings, seats for chairs, overcoats, trousers, and shirts. The rawhide was used to patch saddles and shoes. Strips of rawhide was used to bound loose wagon tires or used to lash together pieces of broken wagon tongue. It was also used as a substitution for nails. Indians used the rawhide to make drum heads and shield covers. Rawhide was so tough and durable it was known as the "Mexican iron". That is why the Vaqueros used this "Mexican Iron" for their beautiful horse tack.





The Vaqueros used many types of fancy braided rawhide horse equipment during their daily activities in the old west. It was common to see the vaqueros using these beautifully crafted braided rawhide headstalls, bridle reins with romals, riatas, hobbles, quirts, hackamores, and bosals. The vaqueros took special pride in having good quality braided rawhide equipment and a well-trained horse.





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

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Buckaroo Leather on the Road Again....Northwest Horse Fair







All you cowboys and cowgirls hitch up your wagons and head on over to the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo in Albany, Oregon on March 21-24 2013. This is an annual tradition for horse owners and horse lovers in the Northwest. This event has something for everyone. There will be world-renowned clinicians, various breed demonstrations, stallion review, and equine related shopping  booths....including Buckaroo Leather.




Buckaroo Leather is hitching up the old wagon and loading it up with all your favorite quality leather horse tack. Come by the Buckaroo Leather booth and "sit a spell" with Buckaroo John. He loves to show off his "wares" and chat with all you cowboys and cowgirls.

 Great Basin Split Ear Headstalls



cancer breast collar cinch



our new retro headstalls


Also on hand at the fair will be good friends horse trainers Mark Bolender and Raye Lochert. They will be conducting clinics and demonstrations all weekend. See the schedule here.......


 Mark Bolender

 Raye Lochert

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

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Retro/Vintage Headstall...Classic Old West Style




 
From an old cowboy..........

"the workin' cowboy preferred a plain headstall with nothin' to interfere with his ropin'"........
 

This retro headstall is just what a cowboy wants. Buckaroo Leather has gone retro/vintage. 




We found a beautiful old style tooling (see below) to help create the retro look of this quality leather headstall....Made in America.


   tooling on the retro headstall



The retro/vintage look of this headstall is coming back into style. Old is new again........

This retro headstall is hand tooled and is crafted from the finest Hermann Oak bridle leather. It features a straight brow, tear drop cheek pieces and is finished with decorative stitching. This vintage headstall also features a rawhide braided brow keeper.

This Retro headstall is a classic old west style perfect for that cowboy or cowgirl who loves the old west style and spirit.



 

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