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
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Bitless Training Video Liberty-Line-Mounted

Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship specializes in a unique Liberty-Line-Mounted approach. Dressage based, True Natural Horsemanship, Balanced seat riding, and Yoga principles are applied. Emphasizing Connection and putting the "FUN" back in Fun-da-Mentals!

Watch Farah's video....Liberty-Line-Mounted: Line Phase. A series showing the progression through all the elements of lateral work and Leg Yielding in a fun, creative way. She uses the Liberty rein for ground play and In Hand work.

I like to see the outline he chooses for himself with this work which is possible when he works in the Liberty rein.

Playing with half steps and collection with Mercury and my liberty rein.

For more training videos click here to subscribe to Farah's DeJohnette Horsemanship youtube channel to watch all of Farah's bitless training video's.

Click here to Purchase your Liberty Rein

The Buckaroo Bridleless Neck Rein Liberty Collar (Cordero) allows you to train your horse to ride without a bridle. Great for relief from the bit! This collar is made from premium Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. The rein upper hand part is 5/8" wide and bottom neck part is 1 1/4" wide with just the correct weight. It is very adjustable to fit most any horse. Longest at 79" to shortest at 55". Choice of Plain working Harness (pictured above) or Black Leather. Available in Plain or with engraved antique silver conchas.

Horses do require extensive training before the Buckaroo Bridleless Rein Tack Collar should be used alone.

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

Pack Saddles and Pack Mules a History.....

Trucks, trains, cars, wagons are all useful means of transportation. But if you were a pioneer, fur trader, miner, prospector, anyone in the old west needing to travel through hard terrain the pack saddle on your trusty mule or packhorse was the best choice.

A pack saddle is used to fasten heavy loads on the back of a packhorse or mule. These heavy loads consist of firewood, supplies, small equipment and any items that are too heavy of load for humans to carry.

The pack saddle should sit on a saddle blanket to distribute the weight of the saddle and the load on the pack animal's back. The pack saddle is divided into two equal parts separated by a gap at the top to ensure that the load being carried does not rest on the pack animal's backbone. There should also be good ventilation for sweat to evaporate.

The pack saddle has a tree, a breeching which prevents the loaded saddle from sliding forward, and a breast collar to keep the loaded saddle from sliding back on the packhorse or mule. The load is tied to the pack saddle with ropes, straps, or other devices.

There are several styles of pack saddles:

The cross buck style has crossed wooden bars to attach sling ropes.

The army style has two large metal hooks on each side for hanging pack bags or crates.



The sawbuck pack saddle is so named because of the X-shape of the two saddle cross members which looks like the sawbuck table that has X shaped legs. The two projections on the top of the X on each cross member are used to hang panniers. Panniers are solid-sided or canvas containers used to transport supplies and equipment.

The Sawbuck pack saddle has been around since Genghis Khan. The sawbuck pack saddle was a key piece of equipment in the old west. This allowed for everything, except the kitchen sink, to be carried on horse or mule through the rugged terrain and mountains.

Prospectors, pioneers, the railroad, the forest service and the army have all used the pack saddle.

The Forest Service in the 1930's established a "Remount Depot" in Montana. The forest service needed to construct fences, roads, and be ready for fire services. The Remount Depot was a place to raise and train horses and mules and to train "packers" how to pack the supplies for the forest service.

Pack mules and pack saddles are still used to transport supplies in rugged terrain, road-less regions and mountain areas. These pack mules are used to supply mountaineering base camps, trail building and maintenance crews and back-country footbridge crews. Today there are sixteen mule pack stations in business in the Sierra Nevada.


The Army also used pack mules and pack saddles for carrying supplies. Pack Mules and pack saddles were used in World War I & II and the Korean war. The pack animals hauled ammunition, water, food, heavy artillery and helped to evacuate the wounded during the war.

The army had a Remount Service. The Remount Service was used to obtain the horses and mules, condition them, provide training and issue them to the appropriate units. The first remount depot was at Fort Reno, Oklahoma.


If you are headed out for a "packing" adventure Buckaroo Leather has all your packing equipment......

Buckaroo Pack Saddle

This Pack saddle is made with 10-12 ounce (1/4" thick) Hermann Oak Old World Harness leather. Harness is the best leather to stand up against the elements because in the tanning process it is stuffed with tallos and waxes to repel everything.

The front and rear breechings are made with a soft latigo to prevent chaffing. All stress points are reinforced with hand set copper harness rivets for extra strength and durability.

Click here to Purchase and read more about this pack saddle

Leather Saddle Bag -Medium

Medium Leather Saddle Bag crafted from premium full grain 10+ once oiled skirting Leather. Hand finished with polished edges. Size. 10" x 12 1/2" .






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

What is a Sidepull Headstall and How to Use

Watch this video by Dennis Quilliams from HorseSense on how to use the sidepull headstall.

HorseSense Signature Sidepull. Dennis explains the parts of the sidepull and how to fit and use it. Sidepulls can be used for everyday use. Horses respond well to them when they are used properly.

SidePull Headstall-old cowboy style

This Headstall is a Side Pull bitless style with a width of 5/8". This headstall has a new swell shaped leather noseband and browband and comes with nickle hardware. This sidepull headstall comes standard with a buckle on one cheek for adjustment. A 2 buckle option is also available for extra adjustment (1 on each side)

This sidepull headstall is available in Small Horse sizes, Cob, Pony, and Regular Horse sizes. This headstall is Now also available in Large Horse sizes, Mule, and Draft Horse sizes.

Click here to read more and purchase your sidepull headstall....


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 Cowboy Code of the West......Laws to Live By

"few cowboys ever owned much. The primary reward of being a cowboy was the pleasure of living a cowboy's life."

I Love this quote...a cowboy's life is.....hard working...has simple pleasures.....working the land with your own hands.........has simple rules...

Cowboy Code of the West

-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

The cowboy code of the west meant that in the Old West a contract was sealed by a handshake. A cowboys word meant something. Good character was a valued commodity. A cowboy's reputation followed him from town to town.

The code of the west helped the cowboys to know that when a wrong was done to someone there were consequences. That people who did not follow the code were probably not of good character.

Hence why there were not that many laws in the old west...... (like today!!)

Cowboys and ranchers knew from the code what right and wrong were. It was wrong to steal a horse. Breaking into a man’s cabin and assaulting his daughter was wrong period, no excuses!

Here is a story from the old west....depicting how important and serious the code of the west was


"Two cowpunchers out looking for work rode up to a Texas ranch in time for dinner, expecting the customary offer of a free meal. The boss fed them, but afterward demanded 50 cents in payment. Outraged at this violation of Western hospitality, the men roped a three-year-old steer belonging to their host and used a saddle ring to brand on its flanks the message: "Meals—50 cts." The steer was left to roam the range and proclaim the owner's ignominy."

Today, our world is missing these basic of common sense "laws". I know today's world is much different from the world of the old west- but the values and common sense of the code of the west need to be apart of all our lives today.

There are many cowboy and cowgirl's who live by this code today........


Myself and my company, Buckaroo Leather, started over 30 years ago stand by and live the Code of the West. I strive to keep the spirit of the old west and the code alive today....
I encourage all you cowboys and cowgirls to do the same..........Ride American!!!!!!


All the photos featured in this post are of the Buckaroo John family in 1915.


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