History of Santa Maria Style Barbeque

Happy 4th of July!!

First, lets remember why we celebrate this day..our Freedom!!! And give thanks to all those who have and are still defending our Freedom!!! 

Buckaroo Leather is Proud to be American Made!!

With 4th of July comes barbecues, family and food!!

What are you barbecuing??? What type of barbeque do you use????

Have you heard of Santa Maria Barbeque??? This style of barbeque is flavorful and simple. Simple ingredients but great taste.

The history of Santa Maria barbeque goes back to the early Californio-Vaqueros of the 1800's. The ranchers of the Santa Maria Valley in California would host large Spanish style feasts for their Vaqueros (cowboys) after every cattle roundup.

The ranchers would barbeque large quantities of beef over pits dug in the ground. They would fill the pits with hot coals of local coast live oak or "Red Oak" wood. The beef would be seasoned with local ingredients, but nothing to elaborate. The key to the flavor was the simple ingredients and the beef being slowly cooked to seal in the flavor.

 
The meal would be served with pinquitos. They are a small pink bean that according to local legend are indigenous to Santa Maria Valley. Some believe the beans were given as a gift by a Mexican vaquero to one of the early Swiss-Italian settlers. Others believe that a lady brought several plants with her when she migrated from Europe.

This style of Santa Maria Barbeque was still used in the 20th century. As seen below in this picture from R.H. Tesene's book Santa Maria Style Barbeque, it show volunteers tending the barbeque over a pit at an Independence Day Celebration in 1904.

Over the years, the style used by the Vaqueros remained the same, but how locals of Santa Maria grilled the meat changed. Instead of grilling the beef over a pit in the ground, they began to string cuts of beef on skewers or rods and would still cook the beef over the red oak wood.

This led way to a local group of business men in Santa Maria who formed a Santa Maria Barbecue club. They would meet at a one of the mens house and cook over a grill, more like what you would see today.

 
The key to Santa Maria barbeque is the simplicity of the ingredients, the thick cuts of beef, and the use of the red oak from the Santa Maria Valley. The rest of the meal consists of toasted sweet French bread, pinquito beans, salsa, and a simple dessert.

Love this picture of Ronald Reagan at the White House.

 
President Ronald Reagan was an avid fan of Santa Maria-style barbecue. While he was President the White House staged several Santa Maria style barbecues including five feasts on the South Lawn of the White House.






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

Quality Leather...The Four Key Things to Know

Retro Headstalls


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.

 close up of the Retro Headstall

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.
 
Remember to keep your quality leather horse tack in good working order that will last a lifetime be sure to do a Spring Check of your horse tack...read more 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

New Hand Tooled Stylish Leather Dog Collar and Leash Sets

Look at the beautiful collar and leash set I just got from Buckaroo Leather Products.

You can't beat the quality. Elyn is now the best dressed girl ever. Thank You !! John Brand...Beverly

We all know Buckaroo Leather Products supply's you, the horse owner with quality leather horse tack. But did you know they can also supply your other four-legged friend, your dog, with quality leather collar and leash sets....the last you will ever have to buy!!!
 
The same quality leather that is used by Buckaroo Leather for their leather horse tack is also used for these amazing dog collars and leash sets.

Buckaroo Leather only uses leather that is tanned right here in the USA by Hermann Oak Leather. Just like their western leather horse tack, their western leashes and collars are made in their shop, right here in the USA. 

Buckaroo Leather is excited to debut their new styles at the Pomona Horse Expo in Pomona Ca on February 7th-9th. Come by their booth #7115 in building 7 to see these new styles up close...we know your pooch will love them!!!

Or call BuckarooJohn if you are interested now.....530-545-0139

Buckaroo Leather can also do custom leather dog collars and leash sets ( pictured above)......see our other western dog collar and leash sets too here....

Prices starting at $29 each or $49 for collar & leash set.

 Genuine tooled and carved 

Hermann Oak leather dog collars and leashes.

 Every piece is American crafted in our shop.

Plain nickel buckles or engraved vintage stainless. 

Available in black/brown or brown honey.
Tooling styles left to right pictured above--
Blk/brn 1 & 2 are Oak Leaf tooling
3rd is Wild Rose tooling
4th is Country Daisy tooling

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

4th of July Special from Buckaroo Leather Products

 Buckaroo Leather Products is having a 

July 4th Thank You Celebration
 

A special offer for our Buckaroo family and friends.

Any order made through the Buckaroo Leather website

Between June 23rd and July 7th

 will receive  a 15% Discount*

At checkout just use this code  

save15

(*excludes sale prices and saddles) 

Proud to Offer American Made Leather Horse Tack!!

Barbecues, parades, family, fun and fireworks make for a great 4th of July. With parades come horses and their beautiful parade horse tack. Love this picture!!!

Buckaroo Leather loves to bring back these amazing styles.....be sure to take advantage of this great special for quality leather horse tack.

 Old Vintage Breast Collar and Headstall Set

Old West Style Quick Change 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

Pink Cinch for the Cure, Cinch for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Buckaroo Leather supports Breast Cancer Awareness with a custom piece of western horse tack.

Buckaroo Leather, Susan G Komen for the Cure, Boise Affiliate and Traditional Mohair Cinchas are proud to work together to offer you Cinch up for the Cure.

"CINCH UP FOR THE CURE"
Buckaroo Leather will donate $20 from every Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Cincha
(item #C11V) sold to the
"SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE, BOISE AFFILIATE".

 

Buckaroo Leather now offers the Buckaroo Cowboy Cincha (the cincha below) with custom color combinations and the Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon.

The pink ribbon traditional handmade (the cincha below) Vaquero cincha is a custom made mohair cinch. The inspiration for this unique piece of traditional western horse tack came from a Breast Cancer survivor. It was a special gift to herself, a reminder, of her second anniversary of recovery. 

The mohair cincha has the recognizable pink cancer awareness ribbon, with the colors, pink for breast cancer, white for purity and black to honor those who have lost the battle.

This inspirational cincha is hand woven with care one thread at a time by Traditional Mohair Cinchas.

"The Vaquero cincha with the pink ribbon is an ever vigilant symbol of victory over breast cancer and a reminder that early detection of breast cancer saves lives".- Vicki Geretschlaeger (owner)

Buckaroo Leather also has a multicolored American made sheekaroo mane hair mecate with pink being one of the colors (pictured here). 

Introducing the new Buckaroo Leather quality leather breast collar featuring the pink breast cancer awareness ribbon.

 

 

The 100% Mohair Cancer Ribbon Breast Collar was created to match the pink cancer cinch (above). This breast collar is handmade with 100% mohair and has beautiful engraved stainless rings and stainless hardware with Hermann Oak Leather connector straps and center.

These pieces of horse tack are for all you cowgirls who have a loved one, friend, or are a breast cancer survivor yourself, and love horses and horse riding. Help support Buckaroo Leather and Traditional Mohair Cinchas raise awareness and hope......... 


Be sure to visit our Cinch Pink for the Cure Facebook Fan page and "like" us to show your support........



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

How Did Cowboys Hold Their Pants Up?

So How did Cowboys hold their Pants Up?

Well, in the Old West in the 1900's they did not have those beautiful, sparkly, larger than Texas bling filled buckles and hand tooled leather belts we see so many cowboys and cowgirls wear today-

They actually used plain old suspenders to keep "their britches"up.......

It was not until the 1920's when Hollywood wanted their cowboys to look glamorous for the screen that the leather belts and buckles took on another life.

You can see below in the picture, hand carved leather belts and buckles from the Visalia Stock Saddle Co. Catalog 1940-41.


Today, you can now have this same beautifully hand tooled hand crafted leather to use for your cowboy style western belt.

Buckaroo Leather is excited to announce that we are hand crafting American made western leather belts.

Our custom made western leather belts are hand tooled, 100% American made, tooled on premium USA tanned and cured Hermann Oak Belt Leather.

The traditional patterns, we have used, originated in the San Fransisco Bay area in the early 1900's by shops like Visalia Stock Saddle (see pic above of catalog) and Olsen Nolte.

The same quality and workmanship from the 1900's is still used in our western leather belts today. Our belts are straight 1 1/2" width.

Normally your belt length is 2 inches longer than you pant size.

To measure- start from where the fold is around the buckle to the center hole.

Please call for shorter or longer sizes. Available in Regular single ply stitched or soft chap lined and stitched.

No buckle included.

Easy chicago screws can be used for changing buckles. Since these are custom made we need 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Also we can tool a name in the center for the same price just leave you instructions in the comment box of the shopping cart.

These custom hand made hand tooled western leather belts will be a "talking point" at your next horse event or just an every day fashion statement.

Take a look at the pictures below to see the detailed hand tooling and craftsmanship- also click on the descriptions to order your favorite style.

Tame Rose-Hand Tooled Buckaroo Leather Belts

Acorn-Hand Tooled Buckaroo Leather Belts

Buckaroo Leather Just Added Plain hand crafted American made leather belts to the Website

These belts are quality hand crafted American made leather belts. They are plain leather and gun leather belts.

they do not come with a buckle.

The Styles Available are: (pic. here)

TOP one- Saddle stitched edge on Heavy Single ply 1 1/2" wide. Sample of Medium Oiled color.

2nd one down- Plain edge Heavy single ply 1 1/2" wide. Sample of Black Color.

3rd one down- Heavy single ply with Creased Border Edge 1 1/2" wide. Sample of Golden Bridle.

Bottom one- Is 1" wide Heavy single ply. Sample of dark oiled.

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

John Wayne Talks About the Cowboy Code of the West.......

A video clip from the Movie the Alamo with John Wayne.........he talks of patriotism, honor, courage..........all parts of the Cowboy Code of the West!

The Cowboy Code of the West.............

There were not any rules written, fliers were not passed around with the code,but the Cowboy Code was, and is a set of laws that all cowboys live their lives by. To break or disregard any of the code, meant alienation by all other Cowboys.

I believe in today's world we need to be reminded of these simple laws and how the Cowboy's of the old west applied it to their everyday life! The Cowboys of the Old West Lived by these simple rules. Think about how our world would be if all live by these simple Cowboy ethics.

I have many fond memories of my grandfather Del, and father telling me family history and stories while taking me fishing and hunting. And not realizing until later in life when it was time to teach my children the values of the code of the west and the cowboy way, how much I had learned from my fore fathers. Important things like how to treat animals, respect guns and their use, and other people. Guns have become a big social issue because it is easy to blame the gun and not the core reason of the person using it and their upbringing.

A challenge for all Buckaroos and Cowboys today- take just one rule and live by it. Let us know your experiences or family stories, or comment on how you already live by the Cowboy Code of the West!!!!

At Buckaroo Leather American Made is not just a sales slogan, standing tall behind our Buckaroo logo is honesty, hard work, dedication, sacrifice and integrity. In our journey of the last 30 years we have met many amazing artists, business horseman and women , craftsmen and customers who still live, as us by American Made.

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

100% Alpaca Fiber Cinches-The Natural Choice

According to ancient Incan legend, alpacas were loaned to humans on Mt. Ausangate in Peru, left on earth as long as they were treated well and respected. Domesticated for over 5000 years, they were used by the Incas for food, fuel, clothing, and transportation, although today their usage commercially is mainly for their fleece.

Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, much as wool is. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks, coats and bedding in other parts of the world.

Alpaca fleece is a light weight or heavy weight, depending on how it is spun, soft, durable, luxurious and silky natural fiber. While similar to sheep’s wool, it is warmer, not prickly, and has no lanolin which makes it hypoallergenic.

Alpaca wool is considered as soft or softer than cashmere and lighter than sheep’s wool, and is fine and strong. Alpacas come in 22 basic colors, including white, black, brown, grey, tan, and cream. The finest part of alpaca fleece is found on their back and sides. They are sheered much like sheep and the fiber is combed, carded, and after a basic cleaning process is ready to spin.

The qualities of Alpaca fiber make it a natural resource for a horse’s cinch. First, it is a natural organic fiber, not processed, which is better for the environment.

Second the strength and extreme durability of this fiber is a must for the horses cinch.
The softness and breathability of Alpaca fiber makes the cinch comfortable and non abrasive for the horse-making your horse very happy!!!

The Elasticity of alpaca is comfortable to your horse and has a natural give as it moves. Makes training, roping or even pleasure riding a comfortable and rewarding experience for the horse and rider.

Buckaroo Leather has these popular all natural 100% Alpaca Cinches. Choose from either

The Alpaca Cutter/Pleasure Cinch C637

(pictured to the right)

27 strand 100% Alpaca cutter cinch with reinforced sewn center, stainless steel dees, billet pocket, and flat beveled stainless steel ROLLER buckles. New buckles have a flattened end and ROLLER to help latigo from binding. Stainless steel hardware!

The Alpaca Roper Cinch C638 (pictured to the right)

27 strand 100% Alpaca Roper cinch with reinforced sewn center, stainless steel dees, billet pocket, and flat beveled stainless steel ROLLER buckles. New buckles have a flattened end and ROLLER to help latigo from binding.

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

Give Your Horse Tack a Western Look!

Add Some Conchas to Your Leather Horse Tack!

While you are cleaning and checking your leather horse tack for safety, you may want to "cowboy" up your tack a little. By adding some of the Conchas (pictured to the right) you can make your horse tack look like new. Below are just a few examples of what Buckaroo Leather has to offer-

Antique Berry Longhorn Concha -ABLC

(pictured to the right)

Beautifully hand engraved Sterling Silver concha with Brass Berry edge and Longhorn figure. This stunning concha in available with a screw back or loop back to accent your favorite headstall and give it a unique look! Watch our How to Video on this product!

Silver Plate Berry Concha -SPB

Hand Engraved Sterling Silver in the "Old Mexico" style and finished with a Berry/Pico edge, this concha is available in several sizes as well as slotted, screw back & loop back. A beautiful addition to any headstall or breast collar!

Mojave Square Concha -

Beautifully hand engraved "Old Mexico" Style sterling silver plate antique conchas with a berry edge. Available without a figure in 3/4"; 1"; 1 1/4"; with or without a figure in 1 1/2"; also available in 2 1/4" with one of the following figures: Bronc, Cross, Longhorn or Star. A unique and beautiful accent to your existing equipment, or choose one of our quality leather headstalls & breast collars for a one of a kind set.

Engraved Concha -SP

Hand Engraved Beautiful Old Mexico Sterling silver plate or Solid Brass conchas with pico edge; available with chicago screw back in 5/8"; 3/4" 1"; 1 1/4"; 1 1/2"; 1 3/4"; 2" & 3". Also loop back in (1 1/2" up)& slotted in (1 1/4" up).

One of Buckaroo's most popular American Made leather Horse tack is the Ultimate Sidepull Headstall! Not only is it made from the finest American made leather, it's durability and timeless quality are unmatched!

Ultimate Sidepull Headstall 

Conchas can be added to the Brow and Nose of this Sidepull.

Once you use this leather horse tack you will use no other! The Buckaroo Ultimate sidepull Headstall is just that- THE BEST. Made from the finest heavy weight Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. This Buckaroo Headstall is double and sewn with a soft chap lining, and oiled for that soft supple feel. This Headstall is a Side Pull style with a width of 5/8", available in Sm. Horse/Cob/Pony & Regular Horse size. This Headstall also has a 1" wide leather noseband and is available with Nickle plate or BEVELED STAINLESS STEEL hardware. Now also available in Large Horse/Mule and Draft Horse size; Look for these options in our Large Horse/Mule & Draft Horse category. This Quality Buckaroo Ultimate Headstall is for the western rider who wants a quality performing leather tack but does not want to sacrifice beauty.

Watch our How to Video on this Ultimate Sidepull Headstall!

Old Martingale Style Breast Collar

Hand crafted from the finest Hermann Oak single ply heavy harness leather, this Old Martingale style shaped breast collar features an over the shoulder fit for a better pulling position. Also featured is the adjustable neck strap and billet. The breast collar is hand edged, rubbed and finished with nickel hardware. The Breast Collar features 7 Antique Berry silver conchas in graduated sizes for a one of a kind look. For pleasure or show, the hand craftsmanship and attention to detail will make you proud to use this breast collar on your favorite horse.

Breast Collar (pictured below)

Finest quality Hermann Oak Harness leather with soft chap lining features an over the neck adjustable strap as well as adjustable billets & down strap. This 2" breast collar is especially suitable for mountain and trail riding, but is equally suited for the weekend pleasure trip. Buckaroo Leather Horse tack is simply-THE BEST! Shown here with six Silver Antique Berry conchas in graduated sizes!

Conchos can be added to Breast Collars, Headstalls, Spur Straps and more! Such an inexpensive way to make your old tack look new again!

Whether you are looking for conchos to dress up your old horse tack or adding it to your new American Made Leather horse tack from Buckaroo, Buckaroo Leather is the place to shop. Our quality speaks for itself and our customer service is first rate!

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

Spring Time Check of your Leather Horse Tack

The clocks have been turned ahead, the sun is out longer, Spring is Here!It is time to do a "spring check" on all your quality leather western horse tack and saddles. Before you start your spring horse rides, a serious inspection of your tack, cleaning, oiling and conditioning of your tack is necessary. This spring time check is essential to keep your tack in good working order for the safety of both rider and horse. Not to mention increasing the longevity of the leather

First-
Take everything apart and inspect all your tack, including your saddle for wear. Especially at all areas ("picture 1") were 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 horse tack and saddle with lots of water and glycerin saddle soap. Don't be afraid to get your tack wet. You have to get all the dirt and sweat out.

Third -

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

This "spring check" is a great habit to get into, not only for adults, but for children too. Teaching your children the importance of good quality AMERICAN MADE leather tack and 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 equipment....

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.

As mentioned above, cleaning is important, but checking the durability of your horse tack is vital. Unlike imported tack that has no integrity, a quality leather horse tack will be more durable and much less likely to crack making it safer!

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

(Watch our video..... click here .)

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

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

Womens Intuition.....

My beautiful wife and I look forward to the weekends to rejuvenate from a long week of work. We were on our regular mourning walk and reflecting on the past 30 years of my traveling as a salesman to visit my accounts and how much it has changed in the last few years.

Her women’s intuition had been nagging at her about how we have to adjust our way of business and life to survive in the changing times. Traveling costs as fuel, vehicle maintenance, food etc. are having such a huge impact on pricing to our western horse tack business and the environment than ever before.

How we must cut back on fuel to not contribute to foreign oil and the global oil crises which effects the global environment.

So then I asked her, if I slow down my route do you think my dealers will purchase as much by phone or our website if I am not there to help them with what they need? Will I lose presence of our tack?

Michele said, “I don’t think you will because you have built a loyal following for 30 years of American made safe and durable quality tack equipment that horseman and women have confidence in.”

Than she reminded me that we sell, from our website, outside our western states dealer network to the global horseman and women and they are not as familiar with your tack as the western states of the good old USA. She than said I feel consumers are realizing more than ever how much time, impact on the environment and money they can save by shopping near home or at home on the internet.

I than told her how lately I have heard many stories from horseman and women how they are becoming more educated on the better value for your money from the worldwide web in the way of informational websites and blogs. And they are more aware than ever of the inferior imported and unsafe leather horse tack available on the worldwide market.

We have always tried to buy American made products when at all possible as I think most horseman and women do also. Even more so now as Americans try to support the US economy instead of the global market.

Join us at the Brand Family Gathering.
And I am blessed to have such a Powerful Partner
As my lovely Wife!
http://buckarooleather.com/


Our family has been dedicated for 28 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