The old tyme western spur strap designs are coming back in style. They have become the "Rage of the Sage".
The straps are not only highly functional but amazing pieces of art. The spur straps have beautiful stampings, hand tooling and hand carvings. Like the traditional Cowboy or Vaquero spur straps they have hand engraved silver ornaments.
Or for a more modern look, add brass or bright bling to your western spur straps.
Take a look at the Old Tyme Spur Straps pictures from the Miles City Saddlery Catalog-many of the styles seen in the photo can be found at Buckaroo Leather!
With these western styles of spur straps coming back into demand, lets take a look back in history how spurs and spurs straps began.
Click Here to learn more information about the different styles of Spurs.
First a spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of cowboy boots for the purpose of directing a horse to move forward or laterally while riding.
Spurs have been in existence since medieval times, but the first examples of them can be found as early as 700 B.C. During medieval times in battle the spurs were used not only to make a war horse lunge forward but also to take down foot soldiers. The spur for over 4 centuries was used by mounted soldiers not only as a status symbol but to also help control them in battle as the horses became lighter and more nimble.
By the 16th century spurs found their way to Mexico or New Spain with the Spanish Conquistadors. The Spanish Vaqueros used the spurs when horseback riding. The Vaqueros were extremely proud of their horsemanship and many employed a type of spur with sharp pointed rowel styles that could severally injure a horse if mis-used. The use of the spur went northward. With the demand of horses for the US Cavalry, many cowboys and ranchers culled the wild horse herds of the west and sold the horses to the Calvary after "breaking" the horses. Since many of the cowboys did this on essentially a commercial basis, the use of spurs was used to help subdue the horse faster so that it took less time to deliver the horse and more profit was made.
Soon, every cowboy in the old west was wearing a set of spurs. It was not only a status symbol but a cowboy considered himself "naked" without the spurs.
The spur was used by the cowboys, not only in the breaking of horses, but they gained popularity in the wild west shows, rodeos when riding a wild bronco, and various other rodeo events.
Spurs seen in western riding may also have small curved-up hooks on the shank in front of the rowel, called "chap guards," that were originally used to prevent the rider's chaps from interfering with the rowels of the spur. Some cowboys also added small metal Pajados, also known as Jingo Bobs or Jingle Bobs, near the rowel, to create a jingling sound whenever the foot moved.
Spurs for western riding tend to be heavier, often decorated, and have rowels that rotate. The neck of western spurs is usually longer and the rowel wide in diameter, to accommodate the leg position of the Western-style rider, where the stirrup is adjusted long, and the heavy leather used for the saddle's fenders and stirrups places the rider's leg a bit farther from the horse.
Many a cowboy spent the cold winter nights in their bunkhouse hammering out his own set of spurs and working on a pair of spur straps. The spur and the spur strap where a tool in Western riding, to get the best out of his horse. The Vaquero influence on the old west cowboy turned the spurs and spur straps into an art form.
Spur straps came in several styles and the designs went from plain to the highly ornate with silver, with or without conchos.
The Western Spur strap is made of leather and goes over the arch of the foot and under the sole in front of the boot heel. Some western designs have a leather strap that goes only over the top, with a heel chain or a rubber "tie-down" instead of a strap under the boot. There are also styles with no straps where the heel band simply is very tight and slips on wedged between the sole and heel of the boot. Some spur designs have a slot for running the spur strap through, others have "buttons," sometimes on the heel band itself and sometimes attached to the heel band by hinges, that allow a strap with buttonholes to be attached.
At Buckaroo Leather we carry a variety of old tyme western spur strap styles, including the popular old west vaquero styles. Our wider shapes and designs have a more comfortable feel across the top of your foot and you can personalize them very easily with silver conchas and buckle sets.
The old dove wing shapes without buckles are a very simple design. Once you put them on your spurs you can leave them attached and just slide them off the top of your boots. Hand edged & rubbed for a smooth finish. Available in plain Hermann Oak Harness Leather, Oiled Brown bridle leather or Red Latigo and beautifully hand tooled Basket or Floral.
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.
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