Romel Reins A Vaquero Tool Popular Today

Romel reins are very popular in the equine world just as they were in the old days of the vaquero. The Vaquero used the romel reins for their horse training. 

The 3 stages of the Vaquero horse training were…

The 1st stage - starts with a hackamore bitless braided rawhide headstall to teach the horse to yield to pressure. The reins were long hand braided horse hair mecates.

The 2nd stage - or "Two Rein" is where the Vaquero would use a thinner simpler version of the hackamore nose piece, the bosal. This bosal was lighter for this part of the stage. The mecate bridle had a spade bit and a braided rawhide romel rein. During this stage of the training the Vaquero would hold both sets of reins and the horse would be controlled with mostly the bosal and light on the bit. Then the Vaquero would transition to only using the bit and would then get rid of the bosal all together.

The 3rd stage- is called the "Straight upon the Bridle". The Vaquero handles the horse with just the spade bit. The Bit is connected with romel reins. The bosal and mecate are used under the bridle to lead the horse.

The Vaquero use to test their horses skills by tying a thread to the links section of the chain part of the romel reins. The Vaquero would then bring the horse to a stop with a “light” pull of the reins. If the thread broke - the Vaquero needed to pull to hard.

Today, Horseman and women use the Romel Reins in horse training but they are also realizing what a great all around riding style rein they are.

They are like a one piece or roping rein with a ring or tie connector with a romel connected and a popper on the end.

Buckaroo Leather offers many types of Romel Reins in different types of leather and rawhide.

We have great everyday styles of Romel Reins with supple harness leather like the Rounded Romel Rein

We also offer a classic Vaquero style Romel Rein with hand braided rawhide buttons for decoration available in assorted colors and designs

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 
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Horse Training by the Californio Vaquero's

The Californio Vaquero's prided themselves on their horsemanship and horse tack. They took great care too hand braid their horse hair mecates and romel reins. The Vaquero’s hand braiding techniques are still used today. 

The rawhide bosals, riatas and quirts, headstalls, and hackamores are all part of the Vaquero "tool box" to train their horses.

The Vaqueros trained their horses for 7-10 years, starting at 4 years old, to react with very little pressure from the rider. At the end of training, the horse and rider would be one. 

 
The 3 stages of the Vaquero horse training were….


The 1st stage - starts with a hackamore bitless braided rawhide headstall to teach the horse to yield to pressure. The reins were long hand braided horse hair mecates.

The 2nd stage - or "Two Rein" is where the Vaquero would use a thinner simpler version of the hackamore nose piece, the bosal. This bosal was lighter for this part of the stage. The mecate bridle had a spade bit and a braided rawhide romel rein. During this stage of the training the Vaquero would hold both sets of reins and the horse would be controlled with mostly the bosal and light on the bit. Then the Vaquero would transition to only using the bit and would then get rid of the bosal all together.

The 3rd stage- is called the "Straight upon the Bridle". The Vaquero handles the horse with just the spade bit. The Bit is connected with romel reins. The bosal and mecate are used under the bridle to lead the horse. 

 
This extensive training enabled the Vaquero to control the horse with little pressure. The Vaquero's horse was a skilled cattle horse and would be tested....

The Vaquero use to test their horses skills by tying a thread to the links section of the chain part of the romel reins. The Vaquero would then bring the horse to a stop with a "light" pull of the reins. If the thread broke- the Vaquero needed to pull to hard.

Another way to show off their skills.....trying to rope Grizzlies!!!

Can you imagine the horsemanship skills and the communication of the horse and rider to stop and move in an instant to rope a Grizzly!!!!!

Buckaroo Leather Uses the Influence of the Vaquero when handcrafting our Hackamores

A Rawhide Accented Hackamore

A Cadillac Hackamore Set with Fiador & Mecate

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

An Old West Cowboy talkin' About His Leather Reins

Found this in a book on Cowboys.....an old west cowboy describing his leather reins in true cowboy fashion........

Leather Reins

Reins are the two leather rawhide or horsehair lines runnin’ from the bit ring to the riders hand used to guide and control the horse.

There are 2 types of reins-but many styles –the flat leather, buckled onto the bit. The other’s braided rawhide with romal and is attached to the bit by “bit” chains or “bridle” chains. These are short pieces of chain fastened to the bit ring on one end and the reins on the other end. Some riders like chains because the reins don’t get wet when the horse drinks, also keeps the horse from chewin’ the reins.


Open reins are then not tied together each independent of the other, usually ‘bout seven ft in length” most cowhands prefer open reins because if the horse falls or if the rider is throwed the reins fall to the ground.

Tied closed or California reins are tied together at the ends or the entire reins are made in one piece often made of braided rawhide and worked into a romal at the horse end. Tied reins are not popular with most cowman, California is where the tied reins are used most, handed down by the early Spanish.


The romal (pictured here) is a flexible whip made on the bridle reins when they are fastened together. The Spanish "el romal" means literally "a branch road, a division or ramification thus attached" as it is by the loop to the bridle reins the romal becomes but a ramification of the rein, a handy addition that can be used as a quirt and dropped from the hand with out fear of it getting lost.

The romals’ removed when ropin and placed ‘round the roper’s waist which was the reason most old timers ordered romals to their waist measure.




A light romals no good if used as a quirt (pictured here) in windy weather for the lash’d be hittin’ the user in the face, a long romals no good either for it might cause the hoss to stumble and fall over it."

Buckaroo Leather carries traditional old west style western leather reins. Buckaroo Leather Western Reins have uniform balance through out the complete length Because we take care to cut them side by side. They are PAIRED together, BORN together for that exact same feel & weight for the ultimate signal and communication!

Most anyone can find Tack to meet their particular demands on the Buckaroo Leather website! Yet, for the rider who has needs for measurements, alterations or changes to bring their ideas to perfection, Buckaroo leather, has skilled craftsmen to meet their demands.

Famous Lined Ultimate Roping (one piece) Rein

Our Famous Best Selling Roping Reins, used for Roping or Rodeo Competitions.

Quality Hermann Oak Lined and Oiled Harness Leather for that superior soft and supple "broke in" feel-the best on the planet! Available in your choice of 1/2" width or 5/8" width, 7 1/2 long. Finished with Loop Ties. Great for roping and trail riding.

Click here to watch this proud video testimonial from a rein customer.

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

Western Leather Reins-The Cowboys Steering

Found this in a book on Cowboys-an old west cowboy describing leather reins in his own words-

Leather Reins

"Reins are the two leather rawhide or horsehair lines runnin’ from the bit ring to the riders hand used to guide and control the horse.

There are 2 types of reins-but many styles –the flat leather, buckled onto the bit. The other’s braided rawhide with romal and is attached to the bit by “bit” chains or “bridle” chains. These are short pieces of chain fastened to the bit ring on one end and the reins on the other end. Some riders like chains because the reins don’t get wet when the horse drinks, also keeps the horse from chewin’ the reins.

Open reins are then not tied together each independent of the other, usually ‘bout seven ft in length” most cowhands prefer open reins because if the horse falls or if the rider is throwed the reins fall to the ground.

Tied closed or California reins are tied together at the ends or the entire reins are made in one piece often made of braided rawhide and worked into a romal at the horse end. Tied reins are not popular with most cowman, California is where the tied reins are used most, handed down by the early Spanish.

The romal is a flexible whip made on the bridle reins when they are fastened together. The Spanish "el romal" means literally "a branch road, a division or ramification thus attached" as it is by the loop to the bridle reins the romal becomes but a ramification of the rein, a handy addition that can be used as a quirt and dropped from the hand with out fear of it getting lost.

The romals’ removed when ropin and placed ‘round the roper’s waist which was the reason most old timers ordered romals to their waist measure.

A light romals no good if used as a quirt (pictured here) in windy weather for the lash’d be hittin’ the user in the face, a long romals no good either for it might cause the hoss to stumble and fall over it."

Buckaroo Leather carries traditional old west style western leather reins. Buckaroo Leather Western Reins have uniform balance through out the complete length Because we take care to cut them side by side. They are PAIRED together, BORN together for that exact same feel & weight for the ultimate signal and communication!

The materials which go into the making of Buckaroo Leather Tack and the craftsmanship employed in it’s making are elements of the highest importance. You could have no higher guarantee of quality and workmanship than the name Buckaroo Leather upon your Tack.

Most anyone can find Tack to meet their particular demands on the Buckaroo Leather website!

Yet, for the rider who has needs for measurements, alterations or changes to bring their ideas to perfection, Buckaroo leather, has skilled craftsmen to meet their demands.

Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today

Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Rawhide Horse Tack

Rawhide, a Brief History

Rawhide is the hide of an animal that has been kept it is natural state and not treated. Leather is the hide of an animal that been altered by a special "pickling" process called "tanning." After the tanning process is completed the hide is termed "tanned." The look and feel of leather is different than the look and feel of rawhide, and its strength and utility properties are different than those of rawhide.

Most rawhide originated from the skin of buffalo, deer, elk or cattle. It is prepared by removing all fur, meat and fat. The hide is then usually stretched over a frame before being dried. The resulting material is hard and translucent. It can be shaped by rewetting and forming before being allowed to thoroughly re-dry. It can be 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. It may also be oiled or greased for a degree of waterproofing.

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. It patched saddles and shoes, strips of it bound loose wagon tires or lashed together pieces of broken wagon tongue, as well as substituting for nails and many other things. Indians made drum heads, and shield covers. It was so tough it became known as Mexican iron. The Vaqueros used this "Mexican Iron" for their horse tack because of its durability.

The Vaqueros used many types of fancy braided rawhide horse equipment during their daily activities. It was common to see vaqueros using braided rawhide headstalls, bridle reins with , Romals, riatas, hobbles, Quirts, hackamores and bosals, and other types of horse gear. The vaquero took special pride in having good quality braided rawhide equipment and a well-trained horse.

Buckaroo Leather carries the traditional Vaquero Rawhide Romals,

Rawhide Romal Rein (pictured right)

These are the finest 12 plait Braiding we have found! Hand Braided in the Old Traditional California Style Buttons. Each Natural Rawhide strand is beveled on both sides for a smooth, comfortable feel on the reins and romal. The popper is hand basket stamped and braided. The rein portion is the traditional full 52" long.

Rawhide Romel Rein w/rein chains  (pictured right)

These are the finest 12 plait Braiding we have found! Hand Braided in the Old Traditional California Style Buttons. Each Natural Rawhide strand is beveled on both sides for a smooth, comfortable feel on the reins and romal. The popper is hand basket stamped and braided. The rein portion is 42" long with rein chain making them the traditional 52" long. The Traditional rein chains are so slobber and water will not ruin the bit ends.

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
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Rawhide Riatas

The Riatas' History

The reata (or riata) was a long braided rawhide rope used by the early Mexican Vaqueros and was no doubt first introduced into Mexico by the Spanish conquerors.

Reata is from the Spanish word reatar, meaning to retie or a rope which ties one animal to another.

Though the word reata is often used to refer to any rope, the genuine Vaquero reata was and is a special item. It was usually 40 to 80 feet long and made from twisted strands of rawhide. The finest riatas used rawhide strands, cut by experts, from the primest part of several young heifer hides. The hides were well chosen and properly cured.

The Riatas are braided in 4, 6, or 8 strands. The 8 strand, if made by a top reatero, is a beautiful article and superb for light roping. For the average hard work on large stock, the 4 strand is the best. Diameters vary according to individual preference, but the 3/8 inch riata is the one most used.

A riata can be different stiffness's (called in roping circles: lays) depending on what type of rawhide is used. For instance, bull hide makes a very stiff rope for heel roping.

The Reateros (Spanish for "rope maker") were masters at the craft of braiding reatas and all other vaquero rawhide tools. Many of these tools were truly works of art. The braiding of the riatas was not only an art form but the braids had uniformity and even tension. This was to insure durable working tool for the Vaquero.

The riata was the most useful tool of the Californio Vaquero and he was highly proficient in handling it. The dexterity displayed by the Vaquero ropers impressed the early Americans cowhands and the riata was quickly adopted by them as were other items of equipment used by the vaquero. The riata can be thrown farther, with the use of less energy and retaining a more perfect loop, than any other type of rope on the market.

The Mexican way to treat a riata, to keep it supple, is to tie it between two trees. Then rub it first with lemon juice (cut a fresh lemon in two and rub the fruit along the length) and then rub it with beef fat (suet). This keeps the leather from drying out or becoming stiff. Using artificial products will make the reata too limber.

Old West Cowhands "Rope Talk"

Here is a brief list of some general rope terms used by the Old West Cowhands:

Lariat is an Americanization of la reata, Spanish for the rope

Lasso is the lazo, meaning in Spanish a noose or snare.

Lazo reata is a Spanish term meaning snare rope.

Catch rope, throw rope, saddle rope, grass rope, twine, whale line, hard twist, lass rope, and rope are all used to designate a catch rope.

Reata is from the Spanish reata, meaning rope, but the American cowhands use it to designate a rawhide rope.

Reata men are hands who use a rawhide rope and they sometimes refer to this rope as a lass rope.

Roping terms used by the cowhand are, rope, meaning to throw a rope, roped, meaning to have caught something with the rope, roping the act of catching and looped meaning caught.

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
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Rawhide Romels & Quirts

Vaquero Tradition- The Romal

In the Vaquero tradition, a quirt with a long handle, known as a romal, was attached to the end of a closed set of reins.In Spanish the word is spelled "ramal" .

In Spanish, "El ramal" means literally a branch road, a division, or a ramification. Thus attached as it is by the loop to the bridle reins, the romal becomes but a ramification of the rein, a handy addition that may be used as a quirt and dropped from the hand without fear of its getting lost.

The Romal was not to be used to strike a horse, but rather was a tool used to assist in moving cattle.

A romal is usually made of leather or rawhide, is about four to five feet long, flexible and somewhat heavy, to prevent excess swinging and to aid control.

The Romal is historically associated with the Californios and the vaquero tradition of western riding. The romal was primarily used as a noisemaker to slap or goad cattle. (The handle made it too slow and of the wrong length for use on the horse.)

This combination of romal and closed reins, today referred to as romal reins, or romal-style reins, is seen primarily in the horse shows for certain horse breeds that are shown in the "Californio style" of western riding, or in other western events in the United States.

The 1st Picture above is the Rawhide Romal Rein RW327 from Buckaroo Leather. This Romal has the finest 12 plait Braiding! It is hand Braided in the Old Traditional California Style Buttons. Each Natural Rawhide strand is beveled on both sides for a smooth, comfortable feel on the reins and romal. The popper is hand basket stamped and braided. The rein portion is the traditional full 52" long.

The Quirt

The word Quirt is derived from the Spanish cuarta de cordon, meaning whip of cord.

The Quirt is a cowboy's woven leather forked type of stock whip. The Quirt usually has two falls at the end that are made of leather, buffalo, or cow hide. The core of the quirt is usually a leather bag filled with lead shot, the main part including the handle is often made from braided rawhide, leather or kangaroo hide and is usually somewhat stiff but flexible.

The Quirt was another tool of the old time cowboy. It was introduced to the cowboys by the Vaqueros. The quirt, due to its slow action, was not a useful riding aid for horses. Rather, it is an effective tool to slap or goad cattle from horseback.

The old style horse quirt is still carried by some Western horsemen, and can be seen in the early Western cowboy films.

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