IMPORTANT – New Web Address

Folks,

Very sorry for the confusion but for reasons too complicated to explain here I need to move this blog to a new web address.

From now on please go to www.CowboyLifestyleBlog.com and please change your bookmark.

B

Rope Length

Roping is a central skill for cowboys. Although there are times when herding cows into pens and then into narrow alleys and then into squeeze chutes where they can be stopped and held for inspection, doctoring and branding, the experience of most cowboys is that roping is still the best and least harmful way to capture a cow and take it to ground where it can be handled. And it’s the only way if you’re in open country.

Most cowboys in the US today use nylon or polyester ropes from 30-60 feet long depending on the type of work they are doing. Team roping competition (two cowboys try to rope a calf in the least time) usually uses a shorter rope because they are close to the calf to reduce travel time. In real ranch roping longer 50-60 foot length are common because the closer you get to a cow in the open the more likely it is to move away. But it takes a strong arm to throw 60 feet!

There are many excellent rope manufacturers but I personally like Cactus Ropes.

The Autry National Center of the American West

The Autry National Center of the American West in Los Angeles near Griffith Park is one of the best museum type organizations I know. We’ve been members since it was first opened and are constantly amazed at the quality and quantity of exhibits, events, research projects, group trips, etc. Gene Autry is of course one of the most well known movie cowboys but had many other careers and talents as well. I still like watching his TV shows!

From their website: “The Museum of the American West, formerly known as the Museum of Western Heritage, was co-founded by Gene and Jackie Autry and Monte and Joanne Hale. With the opening of the Museum in 1988, Gene Autry realized his dream “to build a museum which would exhibit and interpret the heritage of the West and show how it influenced American and the world.” Mr. Autry was a legendary recording and movie star whose illustrious career spanned some 60 years in the entertainment industry. He was also a broadcast executive and major league baseball owner.”

We are all in his debt for having created such a wonderful institution. To learn more click on Gene Autry Museum.

Western Shirts

Although most cowboys wear plain or patterned shirts for work, when it comes time for the Saturday night dance with that special cowgirl the boys do know how to dress up. Any man who has cowboy boots probably also has a “good” western shirt for special occasions.

Originally 1920-30s Hollywood cowboys had individually designed “costumes” by people like Nudie. These were generally highly ornate and expensive and not available to the general public but created an image that people wanted to copy. There was an unmet demand for affordable western wear in general and in the 1930s several companies started making western shirts and other related items for the average person. As they became more popular the industry grew until today there are 2,000 western apparel stores selling shirts.

One of the most famous lines, Rockmount Ranch Wear, was founded by “Papa” Jack Weil (1901-2008) who is credited with creating many of the designs and snap shirts that are very popular today. In 1946 he opened a store in Denver, Colorado which quickly became a favorite place to stop for movie stars, singers, celebrities and even real cowboys. They have a huge selection and their older original shirts have become highly valued collectibles.

From the Rockmount website: “His shirts are slim fitting to accentuate the body, whereas conventional shirts were boxy. A better fitting shirt is less likely to get caught or snagged while riding the range. The shirt yokes broaden a man’s shoulders. The flap pockets fasten to better hold their contents. The snap fasteners have a break away function to let loose if the shirt got caught, and hold more permanently than buttons.”

Makes sense to me. Hope they send me a free shirt for the publicity!

You can see the Rockmount shirts by clicking here: Rockmount

And the definitive book about western shirts is at my Beal’s Cowboy Buckles website: Western Shirts: A Classic American Fashion

COOL

The Country of Origin Labeling system known as COOL took effect this year after many years of discussion. Basically it requires retailers to label their beef (and other items) with the country where it came from. This is a good thing for consumers who want to purchase only US raised beef and maybe locally produced items for their dinner tables. There are all kinds of rules and exceptions as with any government idea but in general it works pretty well. Next time you go to the grocery store look carefully at the label and it should tell you the origin, or in some cases there is simply a sign above the meat area. My local butcher started out with a sign saying “beef from USA, Mexico and Canada”. It only took two weeks for customers to let him know they only wanted US beef – which is all they carry now.

If you want all the details about COOL go to www.ams.usda.gov/cool.

Silver Buckles

I get a lot of questions in my western buckle store Beal’s Cowboy Buckles about silver buckles. If it is real silver it will almost always be stamped on the back “sterling silver” or sometimes “SS”. The only way to know for sure is a chemical test that many higher end jewelry stores can do (usually for a fee).

Other “silver” designations include:

German Silver – A white nickel alloy (65% copper, 17% zinc, & 18% nickel). In other words – there is no silver in German silver. Normally a darker surface look than sterling silver.

Nickel Silver – Similar to German silver, contains no silver.

Silverplate – A very thin layer of silver is sprayed over the surface of the buckle which is often a bronze base. This gives a shinny surface the people like and is one of the most popular ways buckles are made today. Sometimes a clear coat is applied over the silverplate to give it better wear because polishing the thin layer directly can result in it rubbing off.

Sterling Silver – A silver alloy consisting of 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% pure copper. Has a bright surface. By adding copper it causes the silver to become less pliable and stronger in its structure which improves both strength and durability.

Solid Sterling Silver – A piece of silver that is top to bottom sterling. It is not plated with sterling, nor is it sterling overlay.

(the picture is a hand engraved solid sterling silver buckle by my Texas friend Clint Orms)

Patches the Coolest Horse

Rick Lamb and the Horse Show

My friend Rick Lamb has developed a very successful business providing timely and interesting information about horses and the horse industry. He has TV and radio shows and has published 3 books about horses. Rick’s a big proponent of natural horsemanship and is well known on the horse show circuit. He and his wife Diana Baines live in Phoenix, Arizona, and for fun he plays guitar and sings in the band The Blenderz.

One of the most useful things Rick provides is a good website where you can directly listen to several hundred interviews he has done with horse professionals from around the world. I check it regularly and learn something every time I listen.

Check it out at The Horse Show.

Wyatt Earp Still in Action

The Los Angeles Times reports that the town of Tombstone, Arizona has too many people wanting to reenact the famous gunfight at the OK corral. Professional actors and retired gentlemen have formed various groups who sell their services to tourist visitors so they can watch a recreation of the famous event. Local politicians are concerned that there are way too many such groups and it is very disruptive to the town local folks.

(from the Times) “Every man in the United States born between 1942 and 1957 wanted to be a cowboy,” said Mike Christie, 37, a computer consultant who plays Wyatt Earp in Keith’s show. “When they retired from IBM or GE or wherever, they realized, ‘I can do this.’ And they moved here.”

October 26, 1881 the three Earp brothers fought two pairs of brothers. While a minor event in the real west, Hollywood movies have made it an important event today which draws thousands to the Arizona town to see where it happened. Wyatt Earp was the most famous of the three brothers and died in 1929.

See the complete LA Times article by clicking HERE.

Heading versus Heeling

When cowboys rope a cow with the intention of bringing it down to the ground it normally requires two cowboys although I’ve seen it done with one. The first cowboy is designated as the “header” and he puts his rope around the cows head and tightens it around the neck. This basically controls the area that the cow can move in (a circle around the cowboy’s horse) although in practice the header often moves the cow slowly forward in the direction he wants to give the heeler a better shot.

The “heeler” then throws a loop around both the cows back feet and tightens it. You do that by putting a properly shaped and timed loop on the ground in front of the back feet (I’m over simplifying it) and when the cow moves forward it steps into the loop, which the cowboy then tightens. Sometimes you only get one foot.

When the two cowboys move their horses backwards the roped cow becomes gently stretched between them and can’t move. It’s possible to actually put the cow down on its side by controlling the angle of the ropes but most of the time a groundsman approaches the cow and pulls it down to the ground on its side. Or one of the cowboys gets off his horse, which has been trained to keep tension on the rope, and performs the groundsman role.

Under the New Mexico Sky

From BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly

“New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson signed legislation last week making the state the first to adopt an official cowboy song. The tune is “Under the New Mexico Sky” by Syd Masters and the Swing Riders.

New Mexico songwriters last year picked Masters’ tune from 26 others and he performed it on the state House floor in March. The state’s official cowboy song joins New Mexico’s other songs, including a Spanish-language state song, a state ballad and a state bilingual song. The state’s official song, “O Fair New Mexico,” was written by the daughter of famed sheriff Pat Garrett.

While New Mexico’s official cowboy song is the first, several other states already have official songs with a Western theme, including Kansas’ “Home on the Range” and Oklahoma’s “Oklahoma!” “

The Santa Fe New Mexican says that Masters was inspired to write the song after a scenic moment on the Turquoise Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. “I was having a photo taken and while waiting for the clouds to move, I leaned against an adobe wall…and there was a creek running by,” Masters said. “It turned out to be the right thing to describe.”

Click here to visit BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly.

and click here for the Swing Riders website.

(picture is New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson)

Trichomoniasis Briefings

Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle that causes infertility and occasional abortions in cows and heifers.

From a TSCRA press release:

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) announces a series of producer educational programs across the state to help provide cattle producers with info on managing trichomoniasis (trich).

Co-sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health, the program will focus on the detection and management of trich in cattle herds. Free to the public and including a dinner, the programs begin at 6:30 p.m. local time, unless noted below. Dates and locations include:

• April 6: Pearsall Livestock Auction, Pearsall
• April 7: American Legion, Gonzales
• April 8: Victoria Community Center, Victoria
• April 14: Hopkins County Civic Center, Sulphur Springs (7 p.m.)
• April 16: Pitchford Genetics, Athens (7 p.m.)
• April 22: Mid-Tex Livestock Auction, Navasota
• April 27: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba
• April 28: County Livestock Facility, Graham
• April 30: Texas Cattle Exchange, Eastland
• May 1: Bonds Ranch, Marlin
• May 4: Bowie Livestock Auction, Bowie

Under the Texas Cattle Trichomoniasis Program, rules affecting interstate movement of cattle became effective April 1, and in-state rules become effective Jan. 1, 2010. Trich is now a reportable disease in Texas, and a significant animal health problem with a major economic impact on breeding cattle herds.

To RSVP for the meeting, contact TSCRA at rsvp@texascattleraisers.org or call 800-242-7820, Ext. 192. On-site meeting registration begins one hour prior to the meeting. For more info on the trich program, visit: www.tahc.state.tx.us/news/Chapter38_Trichomoniasis.pdf

Chronicle of the Old West

If you like stories about the old west you’ll love the publication Chronicle of the Old West. It’s written and published by my friends Dakota and Sunny Livesay who live in Show Low, Arizona. Chronicle of the Old West contains reprints of real 1800′s articles and current articles about Old West events written as if they just happened. There is also a section that tells readers about places to go and activities to attend to enjoy the Old West today. It is fascinating and fun reading. Dakota also has a radio program where he reads articles from the paper. A subscription for 12 monthly issues is only $30 – a bargain. It also makes a great gift.

For more information click here: Chronicle of the Old West.

(picture is of Dakota and Sunny and their friend Jake)

Sally Swift leaves us

One of the most famous clinicians of our time, Sally Swift, passed away on Thursday April 2nd. Born in 1913 Sally became famous for the horse riding concept of “centered riding” when she published her first book in 1985.

From her website: “Centered Riding® is based on a knowledge of human and horse anatomy, balance, movement, and on understanding how the mind affects the body and how both affect the horse. It uses centering and grounding techniques from the oriental martial arts, along with body awareness, mental imagery and sports psychology. Through increasing body awareness, inhibiting old patterns, and replacing them with a more balanced, free, and coordinated use of self, both horse and rider can move more freely and comfortably, and develop their best performance.”

Her ideas have helped tens of thousands become better riders and made horses happier because they finally understood what their rider wanted. She left behind a strong organization that certifies instructors, puts on clinics and will continue to spread the word. I was lucky to see her speak on several occasions and admired both her spirit and her knowledge. A special lady who will be missed.

The Centered Riding® website is at www.centeredriding.org.

(photo of Sally was taken by Wendy Murdoch)

Cattle Names

There are boy cows and girl cows. Boy cows are called bulls unless they have been castrated in which case they are called steers. Girl cows before they have had a baby are called heifers. Ones that have had one or more babies are called cows. Young cattle are called calves until they are weaned, then weaners until they are a year old in some areas, in other areas they may be known as feeder calves or simply feeders. After that, they are referred to as yearlings.

Californios Ranch Roping and Stock Horse Contest

“There’s nothing in life that’s worth doin’ if it cain’t be done from a horse.”
–Cowboy Poet Red Steagall

One of my favorite events of the year is attending the Californios Ranch Roping and Stock Horse Contest in Red Bluff, California every April. This is a competition based on real life working situations for a cowboy who follows the Vaquero style of handling cattle. It’s not a ranch rodeo and events are not timed. It’s all about the horsemanship, size of the loop, distance thrown, control of the slack and the dally. A leather reata is required, no nylon ropes here! Teams of 2-3 cowboys rope and then lay down specific cattle. They are judged on how well they handle the cattle (quietly!) as well as the overall quality of their roping and horse control. There are also horse evaluation and youth events as well as a vendor show with some top quality tack. Put on by my friends David Weaver and Gwynn Turnbull Weaver (pictured above), you’ll get three days of some of the best cowboying you’ll ever see. And ticket prices are very reasonable. Hope you can attend this year!

Horse Enters the Criterium International Bicycle Race

Chet Vogt

One of the premier buckle makers of our time, Vogt Western Silver Ltd., is located in Woodland, California and always has great craftsmanship and interesting designs. The Vogt business is a small 35 year old family business with three generations involved. Cattle rancher Chet and his son Casey own and supervise operations.

Each of Vogt’s pieces are made of solid sterling silver and fully hand engraved. All of Vogt’s buckles are hand crafted one-at-a-time by skilled artisans and silversmiths. All two-tone pieces are 14 k gold fill. These are heirloom items that will last a lifetime.

I’m a Vogt dealer and offer many of his buckles, including the one pictured above, on my Beal’s Cowboy Buckles website.