National Day of the Cowboy...Cowboy Code

This Saturday, July 28th is National Day of the Cowboy and Cowgirls.  In the spirit of this National Day, I thought it would be appropriate to post the cowboy's "golden rule".  The Cowboy Code of the West was an unwritten code that all cowboys followed and knew. 

They lived their lives by this code and expected all other cowboys to do the same or deal with the consequences. 

Below is the expanded version of the Cowboy Code of the West. I have also included a few interesting writings from the 1800's depicting these exact qualities of the Cowboy.

To the Cowboys of today and yesterday thank you for keeping the spirit of the code alive by living it everyday.

Cowboy Code of the West

(expanded addition)

First chronicled by the famous western writer, Zane Grey, in his 1934 novel The Code of the West, no "written" code ever actually existed. However, the hardy pioneers who lived in the west were bound by these unwritten rules that centered on hospitality, fair play, loyalty, and respect for the land.

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-armed man

Stealing and rustling are evil wrong doing

William G "Billy" Johnson, who worked the range during the 1880's, recalled that "cowpunchers (cowboys) were square shooters upright, and honest men. I never heard of a cowboy insulting a woman. If they were not up to par they were soon run out of the country."


From the Texas Livestock Journal 10/21/1882- wrote of the cowboy's courage, chivalry and loyalty.

"We deem it hardly necessary to say in the next place that the cowboy is a fearless animal. A man waiting in courage would be as much out of place in a cow camp as a fish would be on dry land. Indeed the life he is daily compelled to lead calls for the existence of the highest degree of cool calculating courage. As a natural consequence of this courage, he is not quarrelsome or a bully. Another and most notable of his characteristics is his entire devotion to the interests of his employer. We are certain no more faithful employee ever breathed than he, and when we assert that he is par excellence, a model in this respect, we know that we will be sustained by every man who has had experience in this matter."

(both excerpts from the book "Cowboys of the America's" by Richard W Slarta)

A great example of the Cowboy Code......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.

As another necessary consequence to possessing true manly courage, the cowboy is as chivalrous as the famed knights of old. Rough he may be, and it may be that he is not a master in ball room etiquette, but no set of men have loftier reverence for women and no set of men would risk more in the defense of their person or their honor.

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 we do by the American Cowboy Code of the West.










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

Cinch Pink for the Cure by Buckaroo Leather Products

Cinch Pink for the Cure

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Buckaroo Leather has started "Cinch up for the Cure" horse tack for breast cancer awareness.

For every Buckaroo Leather Mohair Cinch purchased, Buckaroo Leather will donate $20 to Susan G Komen for the Cure, Boise Affiliate.

The inspiration for this unique piece of horse tack came from Traditional Mohair Cinchas (the artisans who created the cinches) This unique piece of traditional western horse tack came from a customer, a Breast Cancer survivor. It was a special gift to herself, a reminder, of her second anniversary of recovery.

Buckaroo Leather offers the traditional Buckaroo Vaquero Cincha (pic on the left) and the Buckaroo Cowboy Cincha (pic on the right). The cinchas are hand woven with care one thread at a time by Traditional Mohair Cinchas. Each cinch has custom colors and the Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon.

The mohair cinchas have the colors, pink for breast cancer, white for purity and black to honor those who have lost the battle. "It's great to be able to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Not only are our pink cinches promoting health for women, they are also helping horses these women ride, be more comfortable." - Val Littfin (owner 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 Traditional Mohair Cinchas)

Buckaroo Leather has also created a special facebook page for Cinch Pink for the Cure. The page is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, survivors, loved ones, and cowgirls who want to support breast cancer awareness. Click the link below and like the page and pass along to all your cowgirl friends who also want to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Cinch Pink for the Cure Facebook Page

Also go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Boise Affiliate website to view the Cinch up for the Cure event and information, health tips and more.

If you have a loved one, friend, or are a breast cancer survivor yourself, and are a horse enthusiast, help Buckaroo Leather and Traditional Mohair Cinchas raise awareness and hope.........




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 Old West Cowgirl Spirit......

Old West Pioneer Women branding cattle- from the book "Cowgirls Women of the wild west” by Elizabeth Clair Flood

The cowgirls of the old west had spirit, courage, drive, strength (both physical and mental) and could ride a horse, take care of a homestead, brand cattle and shoot a gun!!!!

This post is for all the Cowgirls and the Cowgirls at heart who share that same independent feisty spirit of the old west, today........

The story below is from the book "Cowgirls Women of the wild west” by Elizabeth Clair Flood

“One afternoon in 1888 trail driver Samuel Dunn Houston of San Antonio Texas hired a few men in Clayton New Mexico for a spring drive to Colorado. He found “a kid of a boy” at the livery stable who wanted to go up the trail.

Named Willie Matthews, he was 19 years old, weighed 125 pounds and was from Caldwell, Kansas. Houston soon discovered that he was also a good hand. In the Trail Drivers of Texas Houston reported:

“The kid would get up the darkest stormy nights and stay with the cattle until the storm was over. He was good natured, very modest, didn’t use and cuss words or tobacco and was always pleasant……I was so pleased with him that I wished many times that I could find two or three more like him.”

Houston wrote that the drive went smoothly until they reached Hugo, Colorado when Matthews approached him after dinner on the trail and asked if he could quit. “He insisted, said he was homesick, and I had to let him go.”

About sundown, all the cowboys were sitting around the campfire when a young lady “all dressed up” approached from the direction of town. Houston was baffled as to why a woman would visit his camp. When the lady was twenty feet from him, she laughed. “Mr Houston, you don’t know me, do you?”

Houston’s mouth dropped open. “Kid, is it possible that you are a lady?” He and the rest of his men were dumbfounded. All Houston could think of was what was said on the trail over the last three weeks.

He ordered her to sit down on a tomatoe box and explain herself. She told Mr. Houston that her father was an old-time trail driver from Caldwell. When she was 10 or 12 years old, she used to listen to his stories about he cow trails in the 1870’s. Fascinated, she vowed that she too would drive the cattle one day.

“Now, Mr Houston, I am glad I found you to make the trip with, for I have enjoyed it, “ she said as she left for home."

A traditional cowgirl outfit in the old west consisted of:

A typical pair of Victorian gauntlets, a short skirt, tall lace up boots, and a red scarf. The sash was probably a style adopted from Charlie Russell who, inspired by the vaquero costume always wore a red sash.

The Victorian riding gauntlets featuring embroidered roses were often sold at Western trading posts. Inspired by cavalry gauntlets, cowboys and cowgirls adopted the style of the work glove embellished with various Indian designs.

(the 2 pics are both from the book "Cowgirls Women of the wild west” by Elizabeth Clair Flood)

Cowgirl riding gauntlets (pic to the left) came in a wide variety of commercial designs. Many were embroidered with horse shoes and whips, others were decorated in buckskin fringe. Cowgirls wore gauntlets for work and in the show arena.

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

Traditional Old Vaquero Style Cinchas.....Woven with 100% Mohair

In true old Vaquero tradition, Buckaroo Leather offers new artisan handmade vaquero style cinchas.

The cinch (girth) has been in use for nearly 3000 years. The cinch didn’t make an appearance until around 700 B.C. in the Middle East when Assyrian warriors added straps to their decorative saddle cloths.

In western riding, the girth is referred to as a cinch. The cinch (girth) is a piece of horse tack used to keep the western saddle in place on the horse. The cinch passes under the barrel of the horse. It attaches to the western saddle by a single wide leather strap on each side, called a Latigo or Billet.



The latigo or Billet is a wide, flexible leather strap. The latigo is attached to the off (right) side of the western saddle at the saddle's cinch ring or "dee ring", doubled in thickness and knotted or buckled to the cinch, usually kept attached to both cinch and saddle at all times, except to make fitting adjustments.

Click Here to Learn More About Latigo, Cinch Straps and Billets

The latigo on the near (left) side is attached to the saddle at all times, but the loose end is used to secure the saddle for riding by running it through the left cinch ring one or more times,back through the saddle's dee ring, and then finally buckled or knotted when tight. It is loosened and removed from the cinch to take off the saddle.


Cinchas, today are made from all kinds of materials. Including nylon, rayon, felt, cotton, and neoprene. The main objective of the cinch is to transfer sweat away from the horse's body and allow for evaporation. The above materials are strong, but do not absorb the sweat.

The old cowboys and traditional Vaqueros weaved their cinchas from horse hair. It was effective and strong. In much the same vane of the old Vaqueros, mohair is used in today's cinch weaving.


Mohair is a natural animal fiber and is grown by the Angora goat. The long silky hair is carded, spun and corded. The mohair is strong, flexible, and durable. The mohair is absorbent and comfortable for the horse because it is breathable.


The cinchas come in a variety of styles. They are either braided or woven and have different widths and include either brass or silver buckles or d-rings (dee rings).

The traditional vaquero cinch is a 19 strand style. The traditional cowboy and Vaquero woven designs are diamond shapes and have the influence of Native American symbols.


Buckaroo Leather carries these traditional Vaquero cinchas made from mohair and alpaca. These natural fiber cinchas are handmade with a custom design and a traditional cowboy look.

These vaquero style cinchas also have a traditional shufly hair tassel to keep the flies away!






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

Old Vaquero Mecate Reins-how were they made?

"The Mares would take a dislike to the stallions if we cut their tails"
a quote from and old Vaquero.

This quote is referring to how the old Vaqueros and cowboys made their mecate ropes/reins.

Different colors of hair were hand braided into a strong and beautiful mecate rope/reins. The hairs used, were cut from the Mare's tails and manes.

The stallions were used for breeding and working on the range and their manes and tails were never cut......

Mane hair mecate reins are still used today. They have the best feel and communication with the horse.

The mohair mecate reins used today, still have great feel and communication between rider and horse but are a little easier on the hands-especially if you have a softer grip.

The newest style of mecate reins are the 100% Alpaca reins. Their feel and communication with rider and horse are also good.

Buckaroo Leather carries all 3 styles of Mecates Reins......




Mohair Mecate-
They have pretty much the same body and feel as the good mane hair mecates. These are the best we have found braided in the old California Vaquero style! The mecate reins are available in brown, grey, palomino, and black.

100% Alpaca Mecate

Hand Woven 100% Alpaca Mecate Reins. The Alpaca fibers used in these Mecates in grown on a family ranch in South East Colorado. The Alpacas are shorn each year and the fibers are processed in the U.S. Each piece is hand made by these artists to ensure the quality and craftsmanship of each Mecate. Available in 3 sizes.

Hackamore Set w/Fiador & Mecate

Complete Hackamore Set includes an all natural color beautifully hand braided 16 plait 5/8" All rawhide core (no cable core) rawhide bosal w/ Hermann Oak 5/8" harness browband with traditional fiador (throat latch)and Mohair or Mane Horse 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. For large Horse/Mule include a nose circumference measurement in the comment box at checkout. This set has mohair, mane, or alpaca mecate reins.



Buckaroo Leather also offers Nylon Yacht Braid Roping/Trail Reins and Cotton Roping/Trail Reins........



Cotton Roping and Trail horse rein with Hermann Oak Harness or Black latigo leather buckle on slobber straps. Your choice of black, brown, white, black/pink, black/lime, and more. Great for trail riding, barrel racing, gaming events and pleasure riding.

Nylon Marine Yacht braid trail/roping rein with reins snaps on both ends. This is the yacht braid feel all the Natural Horseman talk about.

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