Travois A frame slung between trailing poles and pulled by a dog or horse, formerly used by the Plains Indians of North America as a means of carrying belongings or even people. Although at first glance it appears very primative, the Travois can travel over terrain that would be impossible for a wheeled vehicle. Photo […]

Mutton Busting A young buckaroo gets a taste of rodeo life in the mutton busting competition at the North Star Rodeo in Effie, Minnesota. Young riders (usually pre-school age) try to hang on to a sheep for as long as possible or until an 8-second buzzer. Mutton busting received an unexpected boost in public awareness […]

Lariat Martha Jane Burke (better known as “Calamity Jane”) with a reata coiled and tied to her saddle. The original “la reata” was simply a very long lead rope. Over the years, common usage led to lariat becoming a synonym for Lasso. For a bit more on this topic, see Q&A 306. Photo courtesy Library […]

Marmot Primarily applied to such creatures as the Yellow-Bellied Marmot and Stone Marmot, the term “Marmot” is also used in reference to related animals such as woodchucks and prairie dogs. With their high-pitched squeals at the approach of a possible threat, these skittish critters play an important role in Louis L’Amour’s novel, Ride the Dark […]

War Bonnet Left: Arikara tribal chief, Sitting Bear, in eagle-feather war bonnet. Photo by Edward S. Curtis, c1908. Courtesy Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis’s ‘The North American Indian’: the Photographic Images, 2001. Right A pinto pony with “War Bonnet” coloring. A War Bonnet has the colored ears — connected by coloring across the top […]

Twitch Three types of twitch, all used to restrain a horse by exerting a clamping pressure on the upper lip. The twitch does not work by distracting the horse, as is sometimes thought, but instead causes the release of endorphins from the horse’s brain, producing a calming effect. The twitch is considered a humane method […]

Tinaja A tinaja in New Mexico’s El Morro National Monument. Tinajas are sometimes given the Anglo phonetic spelling of “Tineja.” U.S. National Park Service photo by Sarah Beckwith. Photo courtesy U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.

Wolf tooth A horse skull showing a pre-molar “wolf tooth.” The large canine teeth that some horses have are also sometimes referred to as “wolf teeth” due to their similarity to the teeth of canines such as the wolf. Both types can interfere with the bit. Photo by Bob Lemen. All Rights Reserved.

Latigo Keeper A Latigo Keeper — a piece of leather attached to the saddle through which excess latigo is run to keep it from flapping against the horse or otherwise getting in the way — next to the pommel of a saddle. Also known as a Tie Strap Holder or Cinch Strap Holder. Photo by […]

Javelina A wild pig native to semi-desert areas of Mexico and the Southwest U.S. It is usually gray with an indistinct white collar. Photo courtesy of National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Jehu Stagecoach drivers were often referred to as “Jehus”. The name is derived from the often reckless behavior of the drivers combined with the Bible verse in Second Kings 9:20 “And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son […]

Texas Gate Texas Gate — Just a few strands of wire between posts. The end post is anchored at the top and bottom by loops of wire. Photo by Bob Lemen (with help from a tripod and the camera’s self-timer). All rights reserved.

Lever Action A type of firearm action which uses a lever located around the trigger guard area to load cartridges into the chamber of the weapon. This contrasts with bolt-action, semi-automatic, or selective-fire weapons. Most lever-action firearms are rifles, but some lever-action shotguns and a few pistols have also been produced. Photo by Nova Development […]

Return to Questions and Answers Index Q&A    Questions and Answers: QUESTION: I just lost two babies this year. I think it we due to Fescue grass. One baby was large and still born. We just moved to Missouri from Nebraska. Can you tell me what to do about all my horses now on fescue grass? […]