Vaquero, Californio, Buckaroo ......They all mean Cowboy!

Cowboys of the old west were referred to as "Vaquero's", ( spanish word, "Vaca" means cow), "Californio's", "hands", or "cowhands". The term "Cowboy" was rarely used back in the old west. It is more commonly used today.
The word Vaquero pronounced by American Cowboys, was "bukera" and finally "Buckaroo". For a time anyone working cattle, whether in Texas, CA or elsewhere was known as a "Buckaroo". It wasn't until the late 1860's when the Texans began to drive their cattle north to the new railroads in Kansas, that the term "Cowboy" came into widespread use.



Vaqueros were poor, owned no land, probably not even a horse, but he began the noble tradition of the working cowboy that spread from Mexico into the US.

Vaquero's felt superior to farmer's. They were proud of their work, had courage, fortitude, physical endurance, patient, long suffering, and uncomplaining. The Vaquero's worked in bad weather and with aches and pains. They went without food and tracked down stray animals at all costs. They had courage, riding into the midst of a milling herd.





The Vaquero and cowboys expected and valued these qualities. Virtuous actions would not bring praise, but failing to measure up to the Vaquero's standard could bring criticism censure or ridicule.









Jo Mora (cartoonist, illustrator, and Cowboy in the 1800's, pictured here) described the appearance of the Vaquero or Californio, (from the book "Cowboys of the America's" by Richard W Slarta)


"A kerchief was bound about his head, atop which, at a very rakish, arrogant angle sat a trail-worn weather beaten hat wide of brim, low of crown, held in place by a barbiquejo (chin strap) that extended just below the lower lip. His unkempt black beard straggled over his jowls and his long black hair dangled down his back to a little below the line of his shoulders. His ample colonial shirt was soiled and torn and a flash of brown shoulder could usually be seen through a recent tear. The typical wide red Spanish sash encircled his lean midriff. His short pants reaching to his knees, buttoned up the sides and were open for 6 inches or so at the bottom. Long drawers (which were once white) showed wrinkles at the knees and were folded into wrapped leather botas (leggings). He wore a rough pair of buckskin shoes with leather soles and low heels to which were strapped a pair of large and rusty iron spurs. This costume was finished off by a tirador ( a heavy wide at the hips belt) that helped him to snub with the reata (rawhide rope) when lassoing on foot. The ever present long knife in its scabbard was thrust inside the garter on his right leg."




Much of the dress, language, Vaquero horse tack and values of the Mexican and Californio Vaquero's passed to the Anglo American Cowboy. The Vaquero gear, the La reata became the Cowboys Larait (a rope in the form of a lasso). Chaparejos became chaps and the term "Dar la Vuelta" (take a turn) became "dally". Meaning to twist the end of a Lariat around the saddle horn rather than tying it down.





Vaquero Tack offered from Buckaroo Leather.......

Complete Hackamore/Mecate Set

Complete Hackamore Set includes an all natural beautifully hand braided 14 plait 5/8" rawhide bosal w/ Hermann Oak harness head piece attached with Cowboy knot adjustment and a 1/2" cotton 23' Mecate w/braided rawhide button. This Hackamore features our best quality all rawhide core bosal; a beautiful piece of "Old Style" rawhide braiding.

Batwing Shotgun Style Chap

Once you use this Full Grain Leather Chap you will use no other! Batwing Chap in Full Grain Leather in Brown Earth Tones. This Hand Crafted Chap has an amazing extra special Glovey Feel! for that Broke in Feel. This 3 snap Shotgun Style Chap is Straight Edge and has Hand Tooled plaque. You have a choice of Tooling Designs Basket, Wild Rose/Basket, and Acorn/Basket. Fully adjustable waist belt and leg straps.





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

Gymkhana-an Exciting Equestrian Sport

Gymkhana is the action packed, precision sport of the equestrian world that is fast becoming one of the most exciting family oriented equestrian sports in the world. Gymkhana classes are timed speed events such as Barrel racing, Keyhole, Figure 8, keg race (also known as "down and back"), flag race and Pole bending.

Gymkhana has many interesting meanings.

To start, the word is derived from the Hindi and Urdu word for "racket" court. Gymkhana is also an Indian term which originally referred to a place where sporting events took place. This meaning then altered to denote a place where skill-based contests were held, such as in the sports of equestrian, gymnastics, and sports car racing.

In India, the term gymkhana is commonly used to refer to a gymnasium.

In the United Kingdom, the term gymkhana now almost always refers to a multi-game equestrian event performed to display the training and talents of horses and their riders. Often the emphasis is on children's participation.

Gymkhana in the past was sometimes even used for motorsport events.

Gymkhana had its beginning with the English military. During the Colonial period, the English military used horses for both transportation and military maneuvers. On Sunday afternoons, the Calvary would compete in horseback games to sharpen their horsemanship for war. Through the years different events have been added, some of which originated in Europe and others which were developed in this country. Ring Spearing, an event that is still part of Gymkhana in some areas, resembles the knight in medieval days riding full charge with his lance aimed at his enemy. The British Bengal Lancer engaged in Tent-Pegging, using his lance to unearth the tent pegs of the enemy, bringing down the tent on his adversaries. Pole Bending can easily be seen as good training for a Calvary charge through dense forest. The Rescue Race and Cowhide Race were originated by the Native American Indians as a way to rescue their comrades in battle. Similarly, the Speedball Race may have derived from the Native American Indians counting "coup" in which they would touch their enemies without harming them. The Pony Express Race, of course, simulates the old time Pony Express rider who delivered the mail between St. Louis and Sacramento in the Old West.

Below is a list of just some of the events you might find in a modern day Gymkhana.

Bending Poles are one of the most common races today. A line of about four or five poles is set up, and the horse and riders have to weave in and out of them as fast as they can, turn round the last one, and bend back to the finish line. This can be played in teams as a relay race and the first team all home wins. If they miss bending round a pole they have to go back and do it again, the only penalty they incur is wasting time. This teaches the pupil to control his mount, as well as turning.

The Egg and Spoon race is another favorite. The participants each get an egg on a spoon and have to go from the start to the other end (usually around the last bending pole), and back as fast as they can without dropping the egg. It is often played with potatoes instead as they don't break when landing on the floor, but beware of horses that eat anything. This is a wonderful event for teaching beginners to sit quietly on horseback and though the pony may be moving their seat moves fluidly with that of the horse. It is also an ideal exercise for riders with a 'hot seat' as they learn to sit still.

A popular race is the Walk, Trot, Canter, and Lead Race. During this race the riders walk from the start to a predetermined point. They then turn and trot back, to the start, where they turn again, canter to the same point as before, dismount and lead their horses back to the finish line. If they trot when they are meant to be walking they must turn a small circle. In this race they learn to encourage their mounts to 'extend' (throwing their legs out), their gait, while maintaining their pace.

Races, which will teach them to mount, dismount, and maintain control is Gretna-Green. What they do here is race from the starting point, dismount. While holding their ponies, they must put on a shirt (preferably button up), as well as a large pair of pants, remount, and get to the finish line. Great fun especially if you are picky about what buttons are done up and what aren't.

A favorite among pony clubbers is the Pairs race. One rider starts on the pony, goes as fast as they can to the other side, where a partner waits. They then help the partner mount and get back to the finish line as fast as possible. A variation of this is to have one start the race, dismount at the other end, and the partner has to mount and race back with no help from the dismounted rider. This is often a difficult thing to do on an excited pony, and can be especially fun when the game is played bareback. They will learn how to mount and dismount as well as how to work as a team.

The Sack Race is played the following way: they all line up at the start, and gallop to the opposite side where sacks are waiting for them. They dismount, jump into the sacks and hop back to the finish line. The first one home wins, and surprisingly this race is often the longest as ponies play up because the person leading them is jumping up and down and unsettling them.

In recent years Gymkhana has been steadily gaining in popularity. New events have been designed for competition between riders which bring into play the abilities of the rider and the speed and handiness of the horse. A good Gymkhana horse must have the speed of a race horse, the turning quickness and agility of a cutting horse and the control and responsiveness of the stock horse. In general, control of the horse and of oneself in the saddle is an added benefit of learning to play these games.

To find out more about Gymkhana, please check out these other websites.

The Complete Guide to Gymkhana for Horses

J-Six Equestrian Center Ranch Gymkhana Series

California Gymkhana Association

Buckaroo Leather is proud to manufacturer quality American Made leather horse tack! Our quality leather is not only durable but timeless!

In Gymkhana your horse and you need to have constant control and communication. Quality leather horse tack will enhance this communication between you and horse.

Buckaroo Leather offers a full line of this quality leather horse tack from Training Gear , Leather and Nylon Reins, Chink and Chaps to great western Bling or Conchos.

Buckaroo Style Harness Headstall (as pictured here)This 3/4" Buckaroo Style Headstall is hand crafted of the finest Hermann Oak Harness leather, it features a shaped brow, scalloped cheek pieces and is finished with Antique Silver conchas, decorative stitching and nickel buckles. Matching harness reines are also finished with Antique Silver conchas, decorative stitching Nickel Plate buckles; reins are available in 5/8" or 3/4" and 7' or 8' lengths.

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

Are Chaps good friends? Of course, and very functional

Here is a fantastic article by a fellow Horseman and writer.

Chaps (pronounced "shaps" and short for chaparajos) were originated as a protective garment worn by cowboys in brushy areas. There are many reasons for the use of chaps from decorative to practical. This study will include the origin as well as the practical uses of chaps.

Chaps originated in Spain and Mexico. The first known use of them was for riders to wear when working cattle. They were two large pieces of cowhide that were used to form a protective shield over both the riders legs as well as the horse's chest. Hooking onto the saddles horn, they served both purposes well, but were bulky and hard to work with; therefore chaps were conceived.

Batwings - Originally the most prevalent type of chaps were batwings. These chaps were mostly just an outer layer of leather, usually with three clasps to hold them on the leg. One clasp was near the top of the leg, one behind the knee and one around mid calf.

You will see batwings in most early westerns and western art. Frederick Remington and Charles Russell probably never heard of shotgun chaps which are more common today. Batwing chaps could keep a cowboy's legs safe from brambles and brush, but they weren't a lot of help keeping the legs warm in cold weather.

Batwings mostly gave way to shotgun chaps in the mid 20^th century; however batwings are still popular today among rodeo cowboys for the decorative value as well as the fact that they flop around so much during a ride that they can help show good spurring traits.

Shotgun - Shotgun chaps tend to be more fitted to the individual than batwings. They are formed from leather, usually with a zipper to zip up and encase each leg, as if in armor. Shotguns can be used to keep warm in cold weather as well as protection from thorns and brush.

Both kinds of chaps are also useful in a branding corral protecting against all kinds of dangers such as vaccination needles and hot branding irons.

Chinks (short for chinkaderos) - Chinks came along in the latter part of the 20^th century and have grown quite popular, although there are still pockets of holdouts here and there. Chinks have been called "cowboy shorts" by some individuals who don't want to change, but they are quite practical for the working cowboy.

Usually made in a similar fashion to shotguns, chinks are simply cut off around knee to mid-calf level, and have fringe around the outer edge. Much more comfortable in warm weather, chinks, like batwings and shotguns, serve a purpose in the cowboy life style. Since most cowboys wear boots that come up near the knee, chinks protect the area above the boot.

Chaps are also useful for other reasons. Leather chaps stick to a leather saddle or a bareback horse better than do fabric trousers and help the rider stay in the saddle.

Don't play cowboy without guidance! Get the knowledge and expertise you need: visit http://thechuckwagon.net/

Join The Cowpoke List for Weekly Tips and Tales of the Cowboy Life http://www.thechuckwagon.net/index_files/Page572.htm

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Hopson

Be sure to visit Jay's sites, and also check out

the fine selection of Chaps and Chinks

at http://buckarooleather.com/

Call me me before you order a set and I will give you a Discount Code

Buckaroo John
1-530-545-0130

Proud of my kids on Fathers Day.....

I have been working to hard lately, so we took
last week off and spent family time up at
Redfish Lake in Stanly, Idaho....

Beautiful time!!!!

My lovely wife has been very patient with all
of my traveling to market our quality
American made horse tack.....

My oldest son Jason will graduate from
Sacramento state this December with
a degree in business and marketing!

My middle son Bryan just graduated from
Wagner College in Staten Island, NY
with a degree in business and marketing...
He moved to Santa Barbara to start a
online food and beverage advertising and
delivery Business....

My Daughter is nineteen and starting
beautician school...

They all learned about how to make
leather horse tack during the summers at
our Buckaroo Leather shop...


Our family has been dedicated for 28 years in serving the western horseman the safest most durable Quality American made leather horse tack.......Please take a moment to leave a comment(just click on the word comments below each post)with any questions or suggestions on future posts you would like to see talked about.

BuckarooJohn
Buckaroo Leather The Brand to Demand