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
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100% Alpaca Mecates-Hand made In the United States

Buckaroo Leather is proud to offer 100% Alpaca Mecates-hand made here in the United States.

Buckaroo Leather is proud to have found a family run Alpaca ranch in

South East Colorado. The Alpacas are shorn each year and the family has an integral part in the shearing process. This allows the family hands on experience with the Alpaca fiber. All the Alpaca fiber is spun in the United States under the direction of the family.

Each 100% Alpaca Mecate is hand woven and twisted by the family to ensure the quality and craftsmanship for that ultimate feel and communication of each piece...

What are the benefits of using an Alpaca Mecate?

As mentioned in our blog on 100% Alpaca Cinches,

Alpaca wool is considered as soft or softer than cashmere and lighter than sheep’s wool, and is fine and strong.

The qualities of Alpaca fiber make it a natural resource for a Mecate.

First, it is a natural organic fiber, not processed, which is better for the environment.

Second the strength and extreme durability of this fiber is a must for the mecate.

The 100% Alpaca Mecate reins are the natural choice! U.S. grown and manufactured Alpaca fiber with the hand made fine craftsmanship of traditional Vaquero of the Old West!

Ties beautiful on a bosal for a perfect hackamore rein...

100% Alpaca Mecate (pictured above)

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. These Mecates offer the Best Feel & Communication between you and your Horse....Bar None!

Available in 3 sizes-

3/8 inch x 22ft

1/2 inch x 22ft

5/8 inch x 22ft

Look for Alpaca Split reins and Alpaca roping (one piece rein) coming soon.....

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 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
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site