Express Wagon Chicago Daily News, Inc., photograph of an Express Wagon, taken on the streets of Chicago in the spring of 1906. DN-0003647, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago History Museum.
Return to Questions and Answers Index Q&A Questions and Answers: QUESTION: Hi! I have a question maybe you can answer for me. I need to know what kind of sawdust horses can NOT have in their stalls. I was told that black walnut and maple can not be used because it makes their hair fall […]
Float A veterinarian filing rough projections off a pony’s teeth, making the chewing surfaces more efficient. Floating also prevents sharp edges of the teeth and cutting into the horse’s cheeks, which can cause pain or even bleeding. Floating the teeth is one of those tasks that should only be done by a properly trained and […]
Papago Prospector throwing a shovelful of gold bearing dirt into a papago; Piños Altos, New Mexico. Photo by Russell Lee, 1940. Courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, LC-USF33-012702-M2 DLC
Freeze Brand Some of the advantages of Freeze-Branding are little pain to the animal, a cleaner mark, and a brand that is easy to read from a distance — especially on a dark-colored horse. Photo by Bob Lemen. All rights reserved.
Flank Rider A Nevada cowhand rides at the flank of the herd, keeping the herd moving in a line, while also picking up and turning back any strays. (For more information on trail drive jobs, see Q & A page 216 – What were the various positions on a cattle drive?) Photo by Howard W. […]
Polecat “Polecat” is a common colloquial name for a striped skunk. The word may also be applied to a person who is thought to be despicable or contemptible. The skunk is also sometimes called a “wood pussy.” Photo courtesy of National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Pannier Two panniers and other gear being carried by a pony pack animal. Panniers are especially useful for carrying small items and for ease of access to items while enroute. Base photo by Nova Development Corp. Used under license.
Neck Reining Neck Reining – A method of guiding a horse by putting light pressure of the reins against the horse’s neck on the opposite side of the direction of the turn; e.g. pressure against the neck by the right rein means to turn left, etc. For best results, neck reining needs to be used […]
Fiddle Although some fiddle players will shave down the bridge to make it easier to play double or triple stops and shuffles and/or will use steel strings, there is no real difference between a fiddle and a violin. Even classical musicians will sometimes refer to their instrument as a “fiddle.” A double bass or bass […]
Pritchel Hole The Pritchel Hole is a round hole in an anvil. Its primary purpose is to provide clearance for punching tools, but it can also be used to hold various tools. The square hole in an anvil is called a Hardy Hole. Photo by Bob Lemen. All rights reserved.
Prickly Pear Cactus The Prickly Pear is armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines plus red or yellow hairlike prickers called glochids. The latter easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Once lodged in the flesh, they are often hard to see and difficult to remove. The ripe fruit of the […]
Pitcher Pump A Pitcher Pump is a hand operated water pump with an open spout rather than a closed nozzle or faucet. The large opening makes it easier to prime the pump when necessary. Photo by Bob Lemen. All rights reserved.
Farrier Farrier Jason Montana smooths a horse’s hoof. In addition to the basics of trimming and shoeing, a knowledgeable farrier can provide physiological, pathological, and conformational insight about each individual horse’s feet. [A graduate of the Minnesota School of Horseshoeing and Blacksmiths, Jason can be reached by phone at (218) 244-2278.] Photo by Bob Lemen. […]