Buckaroo John's Blog

Side Pull Headstalls are used without a bit, and are very popular in the training arena and for the experienced trail horse and rider. Many trainers have found the side pull headstall great for horses who do not accept a bit very well and are fussy and tense and unable to relax and learn. It is also excellent for horses that have mouth injuries or are sensitive due to harsh training conditions.The side pull is fast becoming the choice in early stages of ground driving and teaching the basics of turning and stopping.A quality leather side pull headstall or bridle...

Did you know that we have customized and personalized award tack available for just about any equestrian group, club, sport and discipline?  We have hair on bags, spur straps, wither straps, breast collars and slobber straps, just to name a few. You can have your logo, motto, pictures, etc., lazer engraved in the leather! There's no limit to what you can do! Here are a few examples of what we can do! Is there anything we can help you or your group with this year? Give us a call or email us and we'll design just the right thing for...

Chaps, short for chaparajos, were originally worn by cowboys as protective garments.  Chaps are now used for decorative and practical reasons.  Chaps originated in the countries of Spain and Mexico. Riders wore them while working cattle. Chaps were originally made of two large pieces of cowhide.  They formed a protective shield over the rider’s legs and the horse's chest. While serving those purposes quite well, they were bulky and hard to work with; that is when today’s chaps were developed. There are several types of chaps.  Originally, the most common type of chaps were batwings. These consisted of an outer...

There are several types of Western Reins.  The type of riding you like to do and what type of headstall and bit or bitless bridle, hackamore, etc., that you use will determine your rein choice.  Of course, personal preference will factor into your decision as well.  Let’s look at some of the options available. Split Reins Split reins are usually 8’ in length.  They are single pieces of leather which are connected to the bit by loops which are tied, connected by Chicago screws or quick change, swivel and snap closures.  They typically come in 1/ 2”, 3/4”,  5/8” and...

The Vaqueros of the old west were skilled horsemen who valued their horses and their rawhide horse tack. The Vaqueros had many "tools" to assist them with their everyday tasks on the range. One of these "tools" was the rawhide reata (or riata). The word reata is from the Spanish word reatar, meaning to retie or a rope which ties one animal to another. The rawhide reata was a long braided rawhide rope used by the early Mexican Vaqueros and was, no doubt, first introduced into Mexico by the Spanish conquerors. Though the word reata is often used to refer...