Hoofed Locusts A large flock of “hoofed locusts.” The term “hoofed locusts,” is often incorrectly attributed to conservationist John Muir’s 1876 letter to the Sacramento (Calif.) Record-Union titled “God’s First Temples: How Shall We Preserve Our Forests?” The earliest mention I’ve found of “hoofed locusts,” is in Muir’s 1894 book, “The Mountains of California.” “But […]
Here are some samples from my occasional columns in the Grand Rapids Herald-Review: Table of Contents Cowboy Bob’s Talking Dog An Obituary The Valentine Gift The Supernatural Horseman Where are the trails? A rip in time Nice folks Cowboy Bob’s Conundrum Heroic horsemen… and women A note from a friend Enjoy the moment Help Wanted: […]
Cowboy Bob’s Conundrum It’s 10 below zero with a windchill of 35 below. So, how are you going to fight off “cabin fever,” then? Some folks hop on their snowmobile or ATV and try to generate some windchill of their own. Others make a cup of hot chocolate and curl up before a warm fire […]
Return to Questions and Answers Index Q&A Questions and Answers: QUESTION: Hi Bob, Following on from a vacation in California where my friends and I were stumped on a descriptive word, I have a question for you: What are the wooden posts called that you see outside saloons in Western films where cowboys would tie […]
Caesar Rodney’s horse At long last, thanks to the U.S. Mint, we now know what breed Caesar Rodney’s horse was! It was a “Quarter” horse, of course! ;o) United States Mint image. (Seriously, a friendly visitor by the name of Tom provided me with the following information: Word has it that the first leg of […]
Return to Questions and Answers Index Q&A Questions and Answers: QUESTION: Hello Cowboy Bob! I am a Montessori teacher in Oklahoma. In January, we begin a unit on the West. I have been looking, but to no avail, for the “names” given to those on a cattle drive; ie cookie, etc. Do you have a […]
Here are some of the folks who help make my life worthwhile… Kids, In-Laws, Out-Laws, Grandkids and Others Minnesota Gothic With apologies to Grant Wood, here’s a picture of the missus and me. Leatha’s a great teacher, but she’s got a ways to go before becoming a great horseperson. For example, she thinks that the […]
Return to Questions and Answers Index Q&A Questions and Answers: QUESTION: Greetings from Ohio, Bob, I read that you played in the Movie “Iron Will.” Do you know what ever happened to the real Iron Will? I would appreciate any information that you might have. G. H. ANSWER: That’s a great question! It took a […]
Rimrock Rimrock is a steep rock ledge forming the upper rim of a plateau or canyon. It often lays above softer stone which erodes away underneath. Native Americans in the West often used the caves found below rimrock to shelter their lodgings — the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, for example. Photo by Nova Development […]
Romal A Romal (Pronounced ro-MAHL) is a type of long quirt — usually made of leather or rawhide — attached to the middle of a set of closed reins. About four to five feet long, the Romal is not designed for striking the horse, but rather to assist in moving cattle. Romal reins are used […]
Railhead Cows in loading pens at the South Omaha, Nebraska, railhead ready to be loaded in cattle cars for shipment. Photo by Marion Post Wolcott, September 1941, South Omaha, Nebraska. Farm Security Administration photograph, courtesy Library of Congress, Reproduction Number LC-USF34-090070-D
Reef Knot Named for its use in “reefing” or furling the sails on sailing ships, the Reef Knot is easily released by pulling the slipped end of the knot. It is made with a right-over-left Overhand Knot followed by a left-over-right slipped Overhand Knot (or vice-versa). Public domain image, edited by Bob Lemen.
Rosette A Rosette is a small leather disk with fluted edges and two slits for thongs or saddle strings to pass through, thus helping to secure a skirt to the saddletree. This photo shows the relationship of the Rosette, Concha, and Saddle Strings. Photo by Bob Lemen. All rights reserved.
Rear A Maryland mounted policeman cues his horse to rear. Such action can be helpful when forcing a crowd to disperse. Courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Theodor Horydczak Collection, reproduction number LC-H813-1427-B DLC