Friday, January 30, 2009

A Breast Collar style worn by Trigger



Not only Popular, but a Celebrity?

The Over the Neck Breast Collar strap is not only popular, but some what of a celebrity.


Roy Rogers used this same piece of horse tack on his famous horse, Trigger. In the picture above, you will see one of his amazing saddles, designed by Edward H. Bohlin, with this style of Breast Collar.

Trigger, or Golden Cloud his original name, was born on a ranch in San Diego, Ca in 1932 or 1934. Roy Rogers changed his name for their first movie together, "Under Western Stars" in 1938.


Trigger's first movie role was in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" in 1938. He was the horse of Maid Marian played by actress Olivia de Havilland.

Roy Rogers was truly impressed and enamored by this horse. So in 1943 Rogers purchased Trigger from Hudkins Stables of Hollywood for $2,500. (In 1943 $2,500 was roughly equivalent to $30,000 today.) Rogers paid the $2,500 in payments, as quoted by Rogers "just like you would a bedroom set." He would later say that it was money well spent!Roy Rogers and Smiley Burnett, Roy's sidekick in his first two films, where discussing a name for the horse, when Smiley commented that the big horse was sure "quick on the trigger." Roy decided that would be a good name for him and that is how Trigger got a new name. Smiley was right, Trigger was very fast; in fact he was the fastest horse on the lot. The beautiful golden horse was very athletic and could stop on a dime and give you nine cents change. He could cut and spin so fast that a less experienced rider could be left in mid air and yet his disposition was such that Roy could put three or four kids up on his back at the same time without any worry they would be injured, a remarkable trait for a stallion.

Whenever Roy Rogers was making personal appearances, Roy always placed Trigger and his fancy horse trailer outside of the arena or building where they were appearing before the show. He wanted all the kids to be able to see Trigger, especially the ones that couldn't afford to buy a ticket.

Roy Rogers was careful not to overwork his equine partner, so, along with the original Trigger, there was also Little Trigger and Trigger Jr. Neither Little Trigger nor Trigger Jr. was related to the original Trigger. The original Trigger remained a stallion his entire life, but never sired any offspring.

As mentioned before, Trigger's finest saddles were made by Edward H. Bohlin, known as the Michelangelo of saddle making. Mr. Bohlin got his start as a famous saddle maker by making horse tack for Tony, the famous movie horse of cowboy actor Tom Mix. Many of Trigger's saddles were covered in intricate patterns in silver and gold, and some of them weighed as much as 150 pounds.

Several of these amazing saddles are on display in the Roy Rogers museum in Branson Missouri. Roy Rogers' beautiful Bohlin silver saddles and his unique plastic saddles are on display. Roy's trademark Bohlin silver saddle first showed up on screen in 1942. In the Bohlin catalog of that era it is listed as the Dick Dickson, Jr. model. It is a beautiful black hand carved saddle with silver triangles and diamonds. Roy used that saddle throughout his career and it is now displayed on Trigger in the museum.

Along with his Bohlin saddles, Roy also purchased the Music saddle. It is one of the most elaborate saddles ever made. It was created in the early 1930's for a lady named Mrs. Music and she rode this saddle in the annual Rose Parade and other events for a number of years. She was a small lady and this saddle has a very small seat. It took 16 men almost a year to produce this saddle set that originally sold for $20,000 and reportedly contained 1,400 ounces of sterling silver, 136 ounces of gold and hundreds of Czech rubies. Roy bought the items from the original owner's estate in 1950 for $50,000.

Trigger passed away peacefully in 1965. Assuming he was born in 1932, he would have been 33 years old at the time of his death. When Trigger died his hide was mounted over a plaster cast of a rearing horse. It now located at the Roy Rogers Museum in Missouri



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

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Your Horse Tack Lover will Love you for Valentine's Day.....




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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

Monday, January 26, 2009

A New Family Oriented Horseback Riding Sport


Buckaroo Leather is proud to announce that it is a new Sponsor of a fast growing Sport, American Trail Trials. A New extremely family oriented horseback sport....

Below is information on this fun, family oriented and competitive sport.


Come and join the fun rides with the ATTA sanctioned Trail Trials!

American Trail Trial-Horsemen's Association (ATTA) is an association that promotes the sports of horseback trail riding and trail trial riding and provides recognition and awards programs for riders. Trial trial rides traditionally include trail obstacles for novice, intermediate, and advanced horseback riders and horses and also include noncompetitive riders. Non-members are welcome on all ATTA trail trial rides. Trail trials are a great place for you and your horse to ride new country, meet great people, and have fun with family and friends while trying fun and challenging obstacles on the trail.


Come ride with us.




WHAT IS A TRAIL TRIAL?

A "Trail Trial ride" is an organized trail ride that includes obstacles and situations horse and rider might encounter on a trail ride. The ride is planned using the natural obstacles that already exist on a particular trail such as walking over logs, opening a gate, or maneuvering through a creek. While out on the trail, riders may also encounter obstacles such as birthday parties, family picnics, mountain bikes, llamas, hikers, etc. These may be considered obstacles also. Riders are judged individually and strictly on how well they negotiate their horse through and over obstacles with an emphasis on safety and calmness.

Trail Trials are not timed events. Riders may be given a time limit to ride through a particular obstacle so that riders behind don't get held back. Riders may ride as individuals or groups,and family participation is encouraged. Helmet use is recommended. Riders are required to have a halter and lead rope, or halter bridle and hoof pick with them. Safety for horse and rider is always emphasized.

Trail Trials consist of a trail ride, averaging 2-3 hours with 8-12 obstacles that would naturally occur in the setting where the ride is held. More examples are opening gates, a water crossing, drag, walk over logs, back up, small jump, slicker on and off, dismount, etc. As riders move along the designated trail ,they will encounter such marked obstacles and a judge for each obstacle. Each horse/rider team is scored at each obstacle. Trail trials are not timed competitions and riders can ride at their own pace. But riders are usually given a time limit to ride through a particular obstacle so that other riders won't have to wait. Judges usually give riders 3 attempts to do an obstacle. Riders may ride as an individual or in groups with family or friends. Trial trials are a great place to meet new friends.


Any type of clothing that is appropriate for riding is acceptable. Long pants and shoes with heels are mandatory.


Helmets are recommended for riders 18 and younger and suggested for all competitors. Some rides require helmets be worn by riders 18 and younger.

A halter, lead rope, & a hoof pick are mandatory. Any equine (horse, pony, or mule) over 3 years of age is eligible to compete. Any type of saddle and bridle or hackamore is acceptable.

Safety and fun are always emphasized.
Please click on the link below to visit the ATTA website.
If you enjoyed this Blog - Go to our Squidoo Lens for more exciting stories, information and care 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

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Friday, January 16, 2009

The New Over The Neck Breast Collar Strap


A Breast Collar attaches to the front of the saddle, cross the horse's chest, and usually has a strap that runs between the horse's front legs and attaches to the girth. They keep the saddle from sliding back or sideways.

A Breast Collar is usually seen in demanding, fast-paced sports such as jumping, polo, and fox hunting. They are also seen in Western riding events, particularly in rodeo, reining and cutting, where it is particularly important to prevent a saddle from shifting. They may also be worn in other horse show classes for decorative purposes.

Horseman and woman are becoming more aware that the best fit of the Breast Collar is up over the shoulder so not to rub across the shoulder. It allows for a better pulling position for all types of riding and is more comfortable for your horse. This position will also keep your saddle more secure.

To assure this proper fit of the Breast Collar, there is a popular piece of horse tack, called the Over The Neck Breast Collar Strap.The new Over the Neck Breast Collar strap connects up over the neck of your horse to hold the breast collar up over the point of the shoulder in the valley were the shoulder and neck meet for a better fitting position.

Please see the Our Video Demonstrating the Use

This very popular, Over the Neck Breast Collar strap, is now available in a western design and universally adjustable to fit any style Breast collar. Buckaroo Leather offers plain straight style Over the Neck Breast Collar Straps to shaped designs . We also offer styles that you can add your horses name or favorite conchas to. All styles have Nickel or Brass hardware available.

Buckaroo Leather offers many styles of breast collars with over the neck straps already designed into them. So whether you have a favorite Breast Collar and want to add the Over the Neck straps with a concha or are looking for a new Breast Collar with straps already deigned in, Buckaroo Leather has the quality and design you are looking for.


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

Thursday, January 8, 2009

How to Properly Fit Your Breast Collar with an Over the Wither Strap



All serious Western Performance Horseman will want to use this Innovative quality leather Tack Item. Keeping your Breast Collar in the right position always helps your horse perform at optimum levels and add balance and support to your athletic Horse.


If you like this video-please see our Squidoo Lens with more great How To Video's

Friday, January 2, 2009

Mecate Reins and Hackamores- A Brief History....





The Mecate Reins are fast becoming the Rage of the Sage because they are so versatile....

The Mecate is the rein portion of the horse tack, called the Hackamore. The Hackamore is a type of headgear for horse training. The unique part of the Hackamore is that it does not have a bit. It uses a braided noseband called a Bosal. The Bosal is a special type of noseband that works on pressure points on the horse's face, nose, and chin. The Mecate is a rope made from horse hair or soft feeling rope that serves as reins and lead rope.

The history of the Hackamore and Mecate goes all the way back to 4,000 BC. The first Hackamore was probably a piece of rope placed around the nose or head of a horse not long after domestication. These early devices for controlling horses may have been adapted from equipment used to control Camels. Over time, this means of controlling a horse became more sophisticated.

The Persians in 500 BC were one of the first to use a thick plaited noseband to help the horse look and move in the same direction. This was called a Hakma. On this Hakma was a third rein added at the nose, which allowed the rider to achieve more power from the horse. Later this third rein moved from the top of the noseband to under the chin, where it is still part of the modern Bosal style Hackamore with Mecate reins.

The Hackamore used in the United States came from the Spanish Vaqueros in California. From this, the American Cowboy adopted two different uses, the "Buckaroo" tradition closely resembling that of the original Vaqueros and the "Texas" tradition which blended some Spanish techniques with methods from the eastern states.

These types of Hackamores include the Bosal and side pull. The Bosal Hackamore uses the Vaqueros tradition of the braided noseband and the Mecate rope.

The Mecate is tied to the Bosal in a specialized manner that adjusts the fit of the Bosal around the muzzle of the horse and creates both a looped rein and a long free end that can be used for a number of purposes.

For the mounted rider, the free end is coiled and attached to the saddle or tucked under your belt. When the rider dismounts, the lead rein is not used to tie the horse to a solid object but used as a lead rope and a form of lunge line when needed.

The traditional Mecate used by the California Vaqueros was made from the long hair of a horse's tail and was hand braided. Modern Mecates are made with horse hair and synthetic rope with a horse hair tassel at one end and a leather popper at the other end.

A properly tied Mecate knot allows wraps of rope to be added to the knot in front of the rein loop in order to tighten the Bosal noseband on a horse or the rope can be unwrapped to loosen the Bosal.

This Vaquero style of Hackamore is used in Western Riding and is an indispensable part of the Vaquero way of making a California reined horse. It is also used with horses that have dental issues, where a bit would be painful. Some riders also like to use this style of Hackamore in the winter instead of a frozen metal bit.

The side pull Hackamore or headstall is a modern design inspired by the Bosal style. This style has a heavy noseband with side rings that attach the reins on either side of the head. This allows very direct pressure to be applied from side to side.

The noseband is made of leather, rawhide, or rope with a leather or synthetic strap under the jaw. It is held on by a leather or synthetic headstall.

This style of Hackamore is great for beginning riders.

Buckaroo Leather Uses the Vaquero Influence

Buckaroo Leather uses the influence of the Vaquero when creating the many styles of Hackamores and Mecates.

The Complete Mecate Snaffle Bridle Set (as pictured above) has 3/4" Harness Cowboy Knotbrow Headstall, Hand Tooled Basket Design Slobber Straps, and Earth Tone Mecate with hand Engraved "OLD MEXICO" Silver or Brass Conchas and Buckle Sets to match!

Buckaroo also offers many traditional "Old mexico" hand braided Rawhide Bosals.

A variation of the Hackamore is called "Mecate Snaffle Bridle Reins" (see how to tie video). It is used as a rein system for a bridle with a bit. The Mecate Reins are meant to be used with slobber straps to connect to the snaffle bits.. The slobber straps protect the Mecate and helps provide a quick release for training the horse. This variation is used by the Natural Horseman. And has become very popular with Nevada and High Desert Buckaroos...

Buckaroo Leather makes slobber straps (pictured above) to attach your Mecate to your snaffle. Buckaroo makes many different styles from plain get the job done to custom hand tooled leather. Our most popular slobber straps are the ones with a buckle. The buckle allows you to buckle on or off the bit without having to untie your Mecate.

Buckaroo Leather has all your Hackamore, Mecate, and slobber strap needs. We have many styles to choose from and all are fashioned from the highest grade American Made leather, from Hermann Oak Leather. The quality of our horse tack can not be beat!! You will love our style but come back for the quality!






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


To watch Video on Tying
Mecate to Snaffle Bit Bridle
Click Here