Buckaroo John's Blog
Horse Identification Methods
Posted by John Brand on
In light of the terrible fires we’ve had in California the past few years, we’ve compiled information on different identification methods available for our horses and other livestock. At times, owners are not home when a fire or other disaster starts. Horses are sometimes left on their own to figure out an escape. Sometimes friends, family and/or first responders are forced to open gates and let livestock go. How can our horses be identified and protected 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Permanent identification methods such as traditional branding and freeze branding are excellent options for identification, when...
The History of the Modern Horse Trailer
Posted by John Brand on
I recently came across the remains of an old horse trailer at an old ranch in Sonora, California. It made me think about the history of the horse trailer and the many ways horses have been transported throughout the years. The history of horse trailers is quite interesting. Throughout history, horses were transported by ships, rail cars, and wagons pulled by horses, cars and trucks. Pictured here in 1928, is a New Mexico man transporting his horse in a trailer with wooden slat sides. In 1927, a German company named Westfalia, began building horse trailers and expanded their building to...
Fourth of July
Posted by John Brand on
Chuck Wagons and Cookies
Posted by John Brand on
The chuck wagon was invented in 1866, when Texas rancher Charles Goodnight converted an old army-surplus Studebaker wagon into a mobile kitchen to feed cowboys while driving cattle from Texas to New Mexico. The wagon itself carried everything you could possibly need. A Dutch oven was important for cooking, along with food such as beans, salted meat, sourdough biscuits, dry fruit, a water barrel, guns, ammo, farrier supplies, ropes, lanterns, firewood, kerosene, slickers, bandages, coffee, tobacco and alcohol. If a cowboy or calf was injured, they would ride in the back of the chuck wagon. The second highest ranking cowboy...
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Night Latch
Posted by John Brand on
Now I know you've all been a hairy situation on a horse where suddenly you're channeling your inner Lane Frost. Most riders try to balance themselves on a bucker or crow hopper by the reins, which isn't the most ideal. Cowboys of the old west had what is called a night latch for just those situations. A night latch is a safety strap that was made out of rope, leather, or even an old belt, which is attached to the saddle to help you stay on an out of control horse. You are using the strap to form a loop to...