Tree The Tree is the foundation, or base structure, on which a saddle is constructed. Originally made of a light wood such as basswood, many trees are now made of composite materials such as plastic resins. This wooden tree has been Fiberglas reinforced. Photo by Bob Lemen. All Rights Reserved. Special thanks to Cowpokes Work […]

Morral A horse eats from a morral. A well-designed morral includes plenty of ventilation holes to prevent suffocation, or even accidental drowning in the event of a horse dipping the bag into water. Photograph by Bob Lemen — All rights reserved.

Lead Chain A Lead Chain can be run (1) under the jaw; (2) over the nose, looping once around the nose band of the halter; (3) through the mouth; or (4) over the gum. In the first method, the chain is run through the lower left ring of the halter, under the jaw, through the […]

Tom Thumb Bit Because of its jointed mouthpiece the Tom Thumb Bit is often mistakenly called a snaffle. It is actually a curb bit with a jointed mouthpiece and swivel shanks. The combination of the jointed mouthpiece, leveraged rein attachment, and curb can make the Tom Thumb a very severe bit. It is so powerful […]

Muley Cow Some of the naturally polled — or “muley” breeds are Black and Red Angus, Charolais, Limousin, and Simmental. The cattle in the photo above are Black and Red Angus with some Charolais and Simmental cross-breeding — muley cows all. For a little more background on muley cows, see Q & A #311 — […]

Tapadera/Tapadero Tapaderas not only cover the toes, in rough country they protect against brush pushing a foot back or out of the stirrup. They also keep the feet from sliding too far in and possibly getting hung up in the stirrup. On a child’s saddle like this one, in addition to those safety factors, they […]

Mutton-Puncher A couple of sheepmen herding a flock. Derisively called “Mutton-Punchers” by cattlemen, sheep herders were commonly hated by cowboys because sheep tended to eat sparse grass down to the roots, sometimes killing the grass completely. Photo by Nova Development Corp. Used under license.

Iron Horse A reproduction of Union Pacific engine 119, one of the two locomotives that met at the “Golden Spike” on May 10, 1869, joining the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads. Although commonly referred to as the “transcontinental railway,” the line actually only provided continuous rail transportation from Omaha, Nebraska to Sacramento, California. The […]

Leaders A six horse team pulls a wagon through a river in the classic John Ford film “Wagon Master.” The four horses at the front of the team are “Leaders”; the horses immediately in front of the wagon are “Wheelers.” In actual practice, pioneer wagons were usually pulled by oxen or mules rather than horses.

Thoroughbraces Thoroughbraces – Heavy leather straps on which the body of a stagecoach rested. Combined with the rounded bottom of the coach body, these simple leather shock absorbers gave the passengers a rocking, swaying ride. A. Stein, (b. 1835 – ?), artist. Image courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. Call number: BANC […]

Wheelers Taken about 1903, this photograph shows a four-horse team pulling a stagecoach. The horses immediately in front of the vehicle are the “Wheelers”; the other horses are the “Leaders.” Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

Return to Questions and Answers Index Q&A    Questions and Answers: QUESTION: Hi Bob, I’m a big fan of your web-site and a long term horse lover.(don’t have one) For the life of me I cannot gather my brain around the purpose of a “Mecate” I see them on TV/Movies, and in magazines… can you explain? […]

Mule Skinner A Mule Skinner — also called a Muleteer — with his team and wagon. Photo by Russell Lee, October 1938. Courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, reproduction number LC-USF33-011845-M2 DLC

Wild Horse Race An unusually quiet bronco being saddled in a wild horse race. The critter’s attitude will change dramatically as soon as a team member tries to climb on board and ride to the other end of the arena! Photo by Bob Lemen. All rights reserved.