The Cowboy Code- Words to Live by!!

A few months ago I wrote a blog entry for The Pony Expression on The Cowboy Code. I wanted to revisit this topic, because I believe today's world needs to be reminded of the simple "golden rule" and how the Cowboy's of the old west applied it to their everyday life!

(pictured above Grandpa Del)




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-warned man
Stealing and rustling are evil wrong doing

Found a few interesting writings from the 1800's depicting these exact qualities of the Cowboy listed above .

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.

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.




















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)


The Cowboys of the Old West Lived by these simple rules. Think about how our world would be if all live by these simple Cowboy ethics.

A challenge for all Buckaroos and Cowboys today- take just one rule and live by it. Let us know your experiences, or comment on how you already live by the Cowboy Code of the West!!!!



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 us by American Made. Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality American made leather horse tack.

(pictured to the right is my Grandpa Del)


Buckaroo John Brand

Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
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Git Down Rope- Popular with Working Cowboy Ranches

Many working cowboy ranches embrace the traditions of the Old West Vaqueros. The Cowboy Ranches use the traditional Vaquero horse tack and teach the Vaquero ways of horse training and horsemanship.

In keeping with this traditional Vaquero style- the Get-Down-Rope is becoming popular with not only the old west working cowboy ranches but the casual riders, following the vaquero style.

The "Git Down Rope " is also very popular in the competitive ranch classes at rodeos and horse shows. These horse competitions demand the use of the this rope as well as the bosalito.


The traditional cowboys used the “git” down rope to keep there horse standing still while they “git” down to shut the gate, pick up something or have some “doughgods” ( old west cowboy word for biscuits) by the campfire.


Today the, get-down-rope is used in the same way, especially in training young horses to stand still.



The Git-Down-Rope is used along with your Bosal and hackamore set up. The Bosal is favored by Western Horsemen, especially those following the Traditional Vaquero Style.




The Git-Down-Rope is used in place of a halter and is easy to use.




Watch the How to Video to learn the proper way to attach the old west “git” down rope and the proper comfortable fit for the horse.


Buckaroo Leather has just the "Get Down Rope" , with new colors or the rope with the bosal and hanger.





Git Down Rope Lead L505


Git Down Rope- 18' long with leather popper. 3/8" Nylon Marine yacht braid with Beautiful Natural Rawhide Button with Tassel. Or 1/2" Cotton with natural rawhide button and cotton tassel. To be used in place of a halter and lead rope with a pencil bosal and hanger under a bridle for leading. When you "get down" you have a lead. New color are available (see picture here) If you need the bosal also see below the L505comp.









Git Down Rope w/Bosal & Hanger L505comp

Git Down Rope and 3/8" Pencil Bosalito with 1/2" harness leather Hanger headstall (complete set as pictured)- Get Down Rope is 18' long with leather popper. 3/8" Nylon Marine yacht braid with Beautiful Natural Rawhide Button with Tassel. Or 1/2" Cotton with natural rawhide button and cotton tassel. To be used in place of a halter and lead rope with a pencil bosal and hanger under a bridle for leading. When you "get down" you have a lead. Pencil Bosalito is 3/8" and 12 Plait Beautiful all natural rawhide braid w/rawhide core.


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

New Western Horse Tack from Buckaroo Leather

Buckaroo Leather is very excited to have these great new products featured in Today's Horse Trader Magazine- click on the link to read the article! Thank you to Horse Trader!

Check it out: The Versatile Buckaroo Sidepull

Buckaroo Leather, due to popular demand, has added two new pieces of western horse tack equipment. They are the Hybrid model Sidepull bridle and the Alpaca Hackamore with a Fiador.


The Hybrid model Sidepull bridle has a removable snaffle bit, which gives you, the rider, lots of options to use any of your favorite snaffles.




Ultimate Hybrid Sidepull w/snaffle

Hermann Oak quality 5/8" Harness leather Sidepull regular horse size, flat leather nose, hybrid model comes with a removable 5" sweet iron ring snaffle, with double & stitched with soft chap lining; hand edged, rubbed and oiled for a soft supple feel. You have the option to replace the snaffle with your own style. It is pictured without the throat latch, as some like to ride in the arena and round pen without. We offer an adjustable throat latch option below for more security on the horse trail. It features a chin strap and additional jowel strap for more stability. It is finished with high quality flat stainless steel rings and buckles. Standard with double cheek buckle adjustments. This is a great addition to your western horse tack equipment. This hybrid leather Sidepull model is highly recommended by Horse Trainer, Farah DeJohnette.

Watch Farah's How to Video to see how to properly fit the leather Sidepull.

Thanks to YOU our customers, 100% Alpaca Mecates, roping/trail & split reins have become our best sellers due to their natural feel & communication.

This Alpaca Hackamore has a 100% Alpaca Mecate Rein, with Alpaca fibers that were grown in the USA.

Alpaca Hackamore w/Fiador Set

Complete Hackamore Set includes an all natural color beautifully hand braided 12 plait 5/8" Vaquero style, All rawhide core (no cable core) natural rawhide bosal w/ Hermann Oak harness leather 5/8" headstall and Fiador (throat latch) w ith hand twisted 23' 100% Alpaca Mecate Rein. 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!


Thanks to our customers, and the ever growing interest in the Western Horse tack and traditional Vaquero influences, we have created these exciting new pieces of horse tack.



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

Cleaning Your Quality Leather Horse Tack

It is Here Spring!!! Time for a Check of your Leather Horse Tack!

The clocks have been turned ahead, the sun is out longer, Spring is Here! It is time to do a "spring check" on all your quality leather western horse tack and saddles. Before you start your spring horse rides, a serious inspection of your western horse equipment, cleaning, oiling and conditioning of your horse tack is necessary.



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


Secondly -
Clean all your leather 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 -
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 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 horse tack is vital.

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

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


Off Billet Wear Leather LG1

Another Buckaroo innovation comes on all our off billets to keep your saddle rigging ring from wearing into the billet causing a weak spot. NOW you can purchase separately!! Buckaroo always puts safety first! Can be added to any billet. Slides on very easily!

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

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.

Proper maintenance of your horse tack is important , but making sure you have a good quality leather horse tack to start with is Number one! 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!



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 Circus- Equestrian Entertainment in the Old West

The Circus- we all have been to one, kids love them, they are an iconic part of our culture. As in modern times, Circuses were an important part of the old west culture in the 1800s.

Cowboys coming from the dusty cow trails, frontier men after a long work week and miners who were looking to forget there long hard day in the mine came to town looking for excitement and entertainment.

Circuses provided much needed entertainment for all. The had any manner of acts, including wild animal menageries, clowns, acrobats, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, brass bands, performing elephants and equestrians who could stand on horseback as they galloped around a center ring.
The circuses date back to Mexican times when shows based on European models came up from the South into California and the southwest around the middle of the 19th century. Circus troupes from the East began to reach settlements in the more accessible regions of Kansas and Nebraska. They traveled in horse drawn wagons over atrocious roads.

By 1880s when railroads had eased the difficulties of transportation, the circus came into its own as the greatest show in the West.

One of those shows was the John Rowe & Co. Pioneer Circus. Here is an excerpt from an article written about the show-


(From the book-“Men of the West-Life on the American Frontier” by Cathy Luchetti)

“ by far the most extensive and elegant organized equestrienne establishment that ever appeared in CA…Traveling through the state at an expense of fifteen thousand dollars a month as an added incentive, the seats are carpeted, and attentive and gentlemanly ushers to wait on ladies and family."


The John Rowe & Co. Pioneer Circus was based in San Francisco, Ca and traveled extensively throughout California. As mentioned before, one of the circus acts was the equestrians who could do acrobatics on horseback.

Below is a glimpse into a typical equestrian performance at the Pioneer Circus.


The main acts of the Pioneer Circus were the equestrian events. At show time the audience was treated to all the spectacle and finery the troupe could provide. One of these spectacles was Miss Mary Ann Whittaker, the first female equestrian artist in America. She was ranked among the best in ballet and pantomime. She would ride out into the sawdust-covered ring standing on her milk white horse in pink tights and ruffles with stars and spangles. Then to the amazement of the crowd as she neared a ribbon held in her path 12 feet high by two colorful clowns, she would leap up off the horse and over the ribbon and then land gracefully onto the horses back all while it was speeding around the circus ring. The applause was thunderous and it continued through the evening. Other riders rode in pyramids on two horses with three riders stacked neatly on top of one another while still others did forward and backward flips through rings of fire.

For these amazing acts to work the horses and riders went through hours of rigorous training some of which is not what you would expect. While the horses went through their paces the grooms would carelessly kick cans about the ring, fire guns, and even tie five-gallon cans to the horse's tail! This was all done in training to teach the horse not to sway from its paces for anyone but its trainer. Timing was everything in the ring. An acrobatic rider doing a back somersault would not like it much if he came down from his leap only to find the horse spooked by a child with a firecracker and not be in his appointed spot.

The Circuses not only used their horses for entertainment, but for hauling all the equipment, animals, and performers in wagons. The travel was hard and taxing on all. Between the roads, or lack of, and the weather it made getting from one town to the next very eventful.

Usually the circus would only be able to cover two or three miles in an hour. Many of the stops were 10 to 15 miles apart and a rider would go ahead and mark the forks in the road with a rail so the caravan would go the right way.

Perhaps the worst occurrence would be after getting little or no sleep,

fighting their way through a drenching rainstorm, pulling out and repairing wagons, and then hearing the word "lost." This of course meant retracing steps and going through all the problems again.

Rowe's Pioneer Circus played the mountain camps and towns until August when due to expenses they were forced to return to San Francisco. Before leaving they had played Yankee Jim, Iowa Hill, Illinois Town, Dutch Flats, Red Dog, Grass Valley, Rough and Ready, Nevada, Orleans Flat, Oroville, Horsetown, Marysville, Monk Hill, Railroad Flat, West Point, Chinese cap and Columbia.

I can just imagine the excitement of the circus coming to these prairie towns and watching the thrilling acts of the equestrian acrobatics.

During these acts I am sure you would see such leather horse tack as the Martingale breast collars, headstalls, and lariat ropes. And of course, I am sure there saddles and horse tack were adorned with silver.

Not unlike the equestrian performers of the old west circuses, many riders today adorn there saddles and leather horse tack with "bling" and silver. Riders today, also like the look of the old west cowboy horse tack, such as the Cowboy Harness Leather Headstall, Old West Bridle, or the Western Roper Breast Collar.

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