Mounted Shooting a Family Affair at Silver Dollar Ranch

 Lawson Family

If you go to Leann Berry Lawson’s Facebook page you may see quotes like:

 “This young lady just won a CMSA (Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association) Major! Ladies Level 2 Division Winner! Congratulations Rylee Lawson!! 

We are SO happy and proud of you!!!!!!

or

 “Smokin fast! Well... Not as fast as Dylan P Lawson !!!! He beat his dad! Dylan took first place in the limited division! He won $400.00 and a new Pistol!”

Leann is very proud of her children!  She should be!  It is exciting to see these two youths have such passion and drive!! Congrats to Leann and Kenny for fostering their passion!!!!
 

 Rylee, Dylan and Madi

Leann and her Husband Kenny Lawson of Silver Dollar Ranch are not just proud parents but they are skilled horse trainers and mounted shooting competitors. The Silver Dollar Ranch offers horse training, riding lessons and training horses for Cowboy Mounted Shooting. Kenny is a third-generation horse trainer. Kenny’s father, Rob Tanner, who was a World Champion and Hall of Fame trainer, was Kenny’s biggest influence. From a very young age, Kenny worked for his dad learning how to train one of the most complex breeds of horses, the American Saddle-bred. Kenny has the ability to educate horses without taking their curiosity from them.
 

 Kenny Lawson

All of Kenny’s training programs are based on a philosophy of mutual respect between horse and rider. He has solutions for horses with aggressive ground manners, to trailer loading issues or, for the competitor that would like to perform at the next level. Kenny also trains horses for many different disciplines. There are weekends where he, his family and clients will compete in Western Dressage on a Saturday and Mounted Shooting on a Sunday, all on the same horses. Kenny believes that a well-educated horse should be able to compete in many sports and activates. 

Leann Berry

Buckaroo Leather is proud to be apart of the Silver Dollar Ranch family! We our honored to have Kenny and the whole family not only endorse but use Buckaroo Leather's Saddle and Horse Tack. 

Visit the newly created Kenny and Leann Lawson category on the Buckaroo Leather website here.



 

Be sure to visit the Silver Dollar Ranch website and connect with them on Facebook. The Lawson family is also involved in the Valley Center Vaqueros. They are a family oriented equestrian club with activities for all ages. Visit the Vaquero facebook page 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

Leather Horse Tack Spring Check List

 

Spring Time Check of your Leather Horse Tack

It is official! Punxsutawney Phil declares early spring is coming!!! So get out that leather tack it is time to do a “spring check”!

Before you start your spring horse rides, a serious inspection of your tack, cleaning, oiling and conditioning of your tack is necessary. This springtime 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 Step-

Take everything apart and inspect all your tack, including your saddle for wear. Especially at all areas ( picture 1 below) 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.

Second Step -

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 Step -

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 Wear Leathers!

One of Buckaroo Leather's innovations are the Wear Leathers (see below) on all our offside billets. The wear leather 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

A Breast Collar That Trigger Wore.....Over The Neck Style

In the picture above, you will see Roy Rogers and Trigger and one of his amazing saddles with the over the neck style leather Breast Collar. You can see this style in many of Roy’s photos and movies with Trigger.

Trigger's finest saddles were made by Edward H. Bohlin. He was known as the Michelangelo of saddle making. Many of Trigger's saddles were covered in intricate patterns in silver and gold, and some of them weighed as much as 150 pounds.
 

Along with his Bohlin saddles, Roy also purchased the Music saddle. It is one of the most elaborate saddles ever made. It was created in the early 1930's for a lady named Mrs. Music and she rode this saddle in the annual Rose Parade and other events for a number of years. She was a small lady and this saddle has a very small seat. It took 16 men almost a year to produce this saddle set that originally sold for $20,000 and reportedly contained 1,400 ounces of sterling silver, 136 ounces of gold and hundreds of Czech rubies. Roy bought the items from the original owner's estate in 1950 for $50,000

Would you love to have a western breast collar with the over the neck style that is inspired by Trigger's. Buckaroo Leather now has the Hollywood One Piece Breast Collar. (above)

And if you also love the parade style horse tack inspired by Ed Bohlin we have a vintage parade headstall that is beautiful. This was a custom order and can be made to order especially for you.







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

Biggest Sale at Buckaroo Leather 20% Off.....

SALE!!

Buckaroo Leather’s Biggest sale of the Year!!!

20% Off your purchase*

Celebrate with Buckaroo Leather your Mother, Father, or Yourself and your Horse.

We encourage you to treat Yourself to quality leather Horse tack, made in the USA by Buckaroo Leather Products.

Starting today, May 2nd 2015 just use code day20 for 20% off your purchase on our website!

This is a great opportunity to indulge yourself or someone you love in our quality American made horse tack, like the New Majestic Collection Headstall and Sidepull or how about our popular leather reins or a beautiful quality leather breast collar!!

It is easy just visit our website at www.buckarooleather.com and use code day20

Sale ends Monday, May 11th 2015

*except on saddles and sale items

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

Kenny Lawson of Silver Dollar Ranch Endorses Buckaroo Leather Products

At the Horseman's Re-Union, a few months back, Buckaroo Leather had the great pleasure to meet Kenny & Leann Lawson of Silver Dollar Ranch. Kenny Lawson is a champion Mounted shooter and a professional horse trainer. Kenny purchased a AAA Wade Saddle from Buckaroo Leather to use in his horse training and mounted shooting competitions.

We are proud to have Kenny and Silver Dollar Ranch endorse and use our quality Buckaroo Leather Products, including a Buckaroo Leather breast collar.

 “I ride in a Buckaroo Leather Handcrafted Saddle - simply wouldn’t consider any other”……Kenny Lawson

The Silver Dollar Ranch and Kenny offers horse training, riding lessons and training horses for Cowboy Mounted Shooting. Kenny is a third-generation horse trainer. Kenny’s father, Rob Tanner, who was a World Champion and Hall of Fame trainer, was Kenny’s biggest influence. From a very young age, Kenny worked for his dad learning how to train one of the most complex breeds of horses, the American Saddle-bred. Kenny has the ability to educate horses without taking their curiosity from them. 

All of Kenny’s training programs are based on a philosophy of mutual respect between horse and rider. He has solutions for horses with aggressive ground manners, to trailer loading issues or, for the competitor that would like to perform at the next level. With Kenny and Silver Dollar Ranch you can reach your equestrian goals, increase your confidence, and create a better relationship between you and your horse.

Buckaroo Leather is very excited to have this extremely talented horse trainer and World Champion endorse and use the American made Buckaroo Leather Saddle and Breast Collar. I encourage all of you to visit Kenny’s website and learn more about his training and special events.

Silver Dollar Ranch 

15587 Cool Valley Rd.

Valley Center, Ca 92082
   760-805-6061

info@thesilverdollarranch.com

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 Check of your Quality Leather Horse Tack

 

Well the calendar says it is spring, but I think Mother Nature has other ideas. So this is a good time to think about your horse tack Spring Check until spring is actually here. 

The horse tack "spring check" includes cleaning, oiling, and conditioning your leather horse tack. This check of your leather horse tack is vital to insuring your first spring ride is safe and enjoyable for both you and horse.

Western Leather Horse Tack Spring Check List

First-



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


Third -



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

The western leather horse tack "spring check" is a great habit to get into, not only for adults, but for children too. Teaching your children about quality AMERICAN MADE leather tack and it's 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 horse equipment....


This springtime check is essential to keep your leather horse tack in good working order for the safety of both rider and horse. Not to mention increasing the longevity of the leather. Cleaning is important but checking the durability of your leather horse tack is also vital.

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

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

You can purchase the wear leathers separately!! 

Buckaroo Leather always puts safety first! The wear leathers can be added to any billet. It slides on very easily!

To find out more about the Off Side Billet Wear Leather, click here to watch our How-to-Video!

Along with the leather horse tack spring check an important thing to remember is knowing you have quality leather horse tack to begin with!

Read the four key things to look for in 

Quality Leather 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

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.

Rawhide Romal Reins

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.

Bosalitos Vaquero style

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.

Rawhide Quirt

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

Frank Bell's Springtime Horse Check...

 

Frank Bell is a natural horse trainer and horse whisperer. His gentle solutions to training your horse are a wonderful method to make both you and your horse one.

Frank's journey with horses has evolved over the past two decades. When Frank comes from a perspective of genuine caring for the animal, and the horse understands that, you can accomplish amazing things. The symmetry of two living creatures interacting so each becomes a whole, is truly magical.

Frank's vision is to share this philosophy with mankind on every level as horses and humans heal each other and ultimately realize their full potential.

Whatever equine discipline you choose, English or Western riding, it will be greatly enhanced when you understand the theory, technique, and timing of this remarkable horse training system. 

"My mission is to help horses and humans on all levels become more grounded in a world that is ever more rapidly heading in the opposite direction."- Frank Bell

In Frank's new newsletter he gives some great springtime advice for horses-

          A few points about horses and springtime 

Be sure your horses continue to have unlimited access to ample water. Tank heaters are good insurance against colic and dehydration

Remember that one day can be warm, even balmy. . . the next full blown winter yet again. Continue to provide shelter from the elements

Do your horse’s feet need attention?

Spring worming and vaccinations are a good idea.  This is also a good time to have a thorough dental exam performed on your horse and take corrective action as necessary.  Deterioration in health and body condition of older horses can often be traced to improper dental care so they should receive particular attention.

Horses can handle cold and they can handle wet, but not both at the same time. If you live in such conditions, shelter is important. When it is cold horses need to eat hay to stay warm. Unlimited grass hay is optimum

Stallions and geldings develop beans that obstruct urination. Learn how to check for this condition

Tuning up your tack makes for a great winter/spring project. Clean your blankets, pads, girths, and tack.  Do a close inspection of worn leather parts and replace if in question. Both you and your horses will be real happy about this come spring
 
Warm-up in the spring is of utmost importance as horses can be quite frisky especially if not ridden for an extended period. 

Saddling up and climbing right on is not recommended. My safety system,  is the focus of my Discover the Horse You Never Knew DVD and Gentle Solutions Book. This logical sequence of exercises puts you in charge and that leadership follows into the saddle as the horse’s energy is used constructively and brains and feet connect. 

Feel what the horse is telling you on the ground and in the saddle. Are you on the same page? Is your horse well? Are you in a good place to ride and what is your plan? The more time we spend THINKING ahead of riding, the greater our accomplishments.

Frank invites your challenges and questions at: info@horsewhisperer.com

Be sure to join Frank Bell's Gentle Solutions Group on Facebook 

and follow Frank Bell on facebook and be sure to sign up for Frank Bell's newsletter.

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 to Fit Your Western Breast Collar

Western Breast Collars have a very simple but useful purpose. They keep your saddle from sliding back and help the saddle to stay in the best fitting position on your horses back.


The fitting position is also determined by how how well your saddle fits on your horse, the better your saddle fits the less it will move around. So be sure you start with a quality saddle that has a proper fit.

Your decision on which type of Breast Collar to use will be based upon the type of riding you do and your personal preference.

The wider the Breast Collar the more the pressure is spread out across the chest.

Here is a list of the Styles of Breast Collars used for different various types of horse riding:

A breast Collar with a Narrow-1"style- used for a Flat trail, Show ring, or Light performance,

Endurance equestrian sports where lightweight is a factor...

A Breast Collar with a Mid size-1 1/2"-2"- used for a Mountain trail, Barrel racing, Gymkhana,

Cutting, any medium to high performance events.

A Breast Collar with a Wide width of- 2-3"- for Packing, Roping, Ranch branding work, High performance were you will need to dally on your horn.

You have many styles available to match your saddle or personal preference with beautiful hand tooling, stamping, and conchas or rawhide braiding.

Lets talk about fit. Most of the Breast Collars on the market today fit around on the shoulders and connect to the cincha ring. Riders are discovering that this fit is a little restrictive and rubs across the shoulder.

Many saddles now come with a dee ring mounted up higher on the front, for a better Breast collar position up over the shoulder at the base of the neck. Like an old harness collar for pulling a wagon.

An analogy would be the fit of your back pack. If the shoulder straps fall down onto your upper arm it is very uncomfortable.

This over the shoulder fit at the base of the neck is becoming very popular!

Different Breast Collar styles are being made To fit this way--

Many now have an over the neck strap which connects at the upper rings on the Breast collar and goes up over the neck between the saddle and the mane holding the Breast Collar up for proper fit. This strap can be purchased separately.

Some are called Buckaroo Breast Collar, Nevada Breast Collar, Old Martingale Breast Collar, and pulling Breast Collar.


The pulling breast collar pictured on the right is designed to fit any saddle as it wraps up through and around the pommel with one strap on each side of the horn fitting any saddle... even without the upper front Dee rings on your saddle.

This style breast collar is ideal for all medium to ultra high performance events.

Quality Finished Leather Breast Collars are extremely important due to the pressure on the front of your horse. When manufactured the edges of the Breast Collar must be finished off and rubbed down so there are no sharp edges to prevent chaffing.

Always check your Quality Leather Horse Tack for safety reasons and make sure there is not any build up of hair, sweat or dirt on the underside against your horses hair as this can chaff and create problems.

Buckaroo Leather has quality American Made Breast Collars on sale in our Valentine Specials category..... take a look at this......

Breast Collar Old Martingale style "Choker"

Price: $171.50
Sale:$150.50
You Save: $21.00

Hand crafted from the finest Hermann Oak Rough Out Oiled Golden Bridle Leather w/ chap lining, this Old Martingale style shaped breast collar (some in the sage call it a "CHOKER") 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.

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

Women of the 1800s on the Cattle Drive

The experiences of life on the Prairie by the true cowboys, are stories of danger, hardships and true character.

On these adventures were also the women. The tales that follow are their stories of life on the Cattle Drive. Excerpts from the book "The Cowgirls" by Joyce Gibson Roach


A Womens Perspective on The Cattle Drive



Mrs. Amanda Burks of Cotulla Texas, describes how cattle had to be rushed through stretches of timber in order to keep them from scattering, and how during electrical storms "lighting seemed to settle on the ground and creep along like something alive." She survived a hail storm during which she had to tie her horses to keep them from running away with her, and then found herself lost from the group. When she was with t he crew, Amanda often was left alone in camp at night while the men stood alert for stampede.

Amanda saw the great spectacle of fifteen herds lined out waiting to cross the Trinity River and of a stampede caused by Indians in which the Burks's herd was mixed with another.

While many women must have seen prairie fires, probably few ever saw one which started with their own two little hands. Amanda, thinking she would be helpful, decided to build a fire in a dry gully attached to the prairie on either side. It did not take long to set the entire countryside ablaze. Mrs. Burks was impressed that the cowboys did not fuss at her about the fire. In fact she noted that along the trail the men were attentive to her and made a point of hunting surprises of wild fruit and prairie chickens for her.

Mrs. Burks knew what it was to suffer through winter on the plains, but of each of her hardships she said that it helped break the monotony. Some felt sorry for Amanda but her reply was:

"....what women, youthful and full spirit and the love of living, needs sympathy because of availing herself of the opportunity of being with her husband while at his chosen work in the great out-of-door world."




In 1871, Harriet Cluck gathered her three children up along with George, her husband and one thousand head of cattle, headed north from Texas up the Chisholm Trail. The family packed their belongings in an old hack, but Mrs. Cluck kept her spy glass and shotgun always with her.

The journey went smoothly until the herd hit the Red River. The river was flooded and Mrs. Cluck handed her children over to trusted riders while she climbed on behind her husband on his horse to make the crossing.

Mrs. Cluck made it a point to scan the horizon for trouble and one day she found it-rustlers. Helping to load the shotguns, Mrs. Cluck bolstered the courage of younger cowboys by calling out, "If any of you boys are afraid to fight, come here and drive the hack and give me your guns and horse." When the rustlers approached the herd and asked for a tribute, George Cluck replied, "I have sixteen as good fighters under me as ever crossed the Red River and they are all crack shots. When you get ready, open the ball, but us Texans will dance the first set."

No doubt Harriet felt the same way.


I hope you have enjoyed these stories- please check back for more of these amazing stories of Women on the Prairie.




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

Saddles, the Evolution

The saddle is the cowboy's/cowgirl's greatest asset. Like a comfy pair of jeans or sneakers, the saddle has been "broken in" to fit not only the rider but the horse. Even in the early west, most cowboys considered their rig their most important possession and by taking excellent care of a well made saddle it could last up to 20 years or more. Over time the saddle was broken in to the riders shape, becoming more comfortable and achieving the "rocking chair fit"....which made it even more valuable considering the hours and days upon end spent sitting on it. This may not have been the case in the early period of the saddle's history, where the saddle was considered more of a tool than an asset.

In 700-800 BCE there is verifiable evidence that the first predecessor to the modern saddle was in use, developed by the Assyrians. It consisted of a simple cloth fastened onto the horse with a surcingle. The Scythians also developed a saddle which included padding and decorative embellishments. These early saddles had neither a solid tree nor stirrups, and provided protection and comfort to the rider, with a slight increase in security.The Sarmatians also used saddles by about 300 BC. They added the breastplate and a girth to help keep the saddle on.

The development of the solid saddle tree was significant; it raised the rider above the horse's back, and distributed the rider's weight on either side of the animal's spine instead of pinpointing pressure at the rider's seat bones, reducing the pounds per square inch carried on any one part of the horse's back, thus greatly increasing the comfort of the horse and prolonging its useful life. The invention of the solid saddle tree also allowed development of the true stirrup as it is known today. Without a solid tree, the rider's weight in the stirrups creates abnormal pressure points and makes the horse's back sore.

One of the earliest solid-treed saddles in the west was the "four horn" design, first used by the Romans as early as the first century BC. This design also did not have stirrups.

The stirrup was one of the milestones in saddle development. The first stirrup-like object was invented in India in the second century BC, and consisted of a simple leather strap in which the rider's toe was placed. It offered very little support, however. The nomadic tribes in northern China are thought to have been the inventors of the modern stirrup. The stirrup appeared to be in widespread use across China by 477 AD. The stirrup then spread to Europe. This invention gave great support for the rider, and was essential in later warfare.

In the Middle Ages the saddle was improved upon due to the fact that the knights needed a saddle that could help hold them in the saddle and support the weight of their heavy armor and weapons. This resulted in a saddle that was built on a wooden tree with both a higher pommel and cantle. This enabled the knight to wear a full suit of armor on his war horse, carry heavy weaponry and it was much harder to knock him off during battle due to the higher pommel and cantle. This saddle was originally padded with wool or horsehair and covered in leather or fabric. If a knight was of rank and had wealth often embellishments would be added to a special saddle which included elaborate leatherwork, precious metals, jewels, fabrics and embroidery.

The American stock saddle evolved from the from the early Spanish war saddle used by the conquistadors. The Mexican vaquero's adapted the original saddle which had a heavy rigid tree, high fork and cantle, deep-dished seat and short stirrups. They made a few minor modifications and added a leather skirt. In the late 1700's the Mexican "California" saddle came about and it had a fixed skirt which was round and without jockeys along with a more substantial rigging which consisted of a cinch ring that hung down in line with the front fork and a horizontal strap that ran from the cinch to the back of the tree to secure the saddle. The strong high-peaked pommels of this saddle were ideal for taking a turn around a rope for holding an animal. The Texans then altered the design even more. They liked the basic overall design keeping the wooden tree, horn, cantle and stamped leather but they modified the wooden horn so it was short, thick and covered in leather. The skirt was changed to a plain square skirt and the stirrups were made out of wide steam bent pieces of wood which were much stronger than the carved ones previously used. A second cinch was also added to firmly anchor the saddle as dealing with longhorn cattle were much different than dealing with domesticated ones. In the 1870's they changed the horn again to a short metal one as the wooden ones often broke when dealing with a wild cow.

During this time saddle makers were spread throughout the west and were quite busy making and repairing saddles. Many new designs and innovations came about with the input that they received from their clientele, the ranchers and cowboys. With people moving into the west from the east there were many different styles of saddles seen. Georgia and the Carolinas had "Plantation-style", the "Morgan" came from the east. The "Hope" saddle was used by mountain men, pioneers and early cowboys. The "Cheyenne" saddle was distinguished by it's fancy rolled cantle.

Today, the needs of the working cowboy are no longer the only focus of western saddle design. Saddles are now designed for a wide variety of uses and riders - trail/pleasure, endurance, rodeo contestant, team roper, barrel racer, reiner, cutter, and, of course, working cowboy.Buckaroo Leather offers quality leather horse tack for your saddles . We have horse tack for all your needs, pleasure, trail riding, rodeo and much more.

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

Thank You all for your response to my First Year of Blogging...

I have learned so much this year about the world of blogging
and the Internet. Hard to believe a whole year has gone by already!
It has been such a pleasure learning the communication channels
and interactions of the blogging community....

Response from Horsemen and Women on the Use, Care and Maintenence
of horse tack has been positively overwhelming and gratifying.

My How to Videos have taken center stage because of the old
saying a picture is worth a thousand words!

Also I have had overwhelming response to our new website. It is loaded with stunning high definition photographs of our top quality American made tack products we have built our reputation on. Detailed descriptions and detailed photographs that allow you to clearly view the quality of the beautiful hand tooling, carvings and stitching that make our tack so unique....

Thank You and looking forward to the 2009 in responding to your thoughts and inquires...



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