Monday, March 15, 2010

Addendum to last Tuesday's post

There was a placard that went with the Mexican vaquero saddle display in the previous post, which I thought had some interesting info:


The text reads:

"The Mexican vaquero saddle, developed from the 16th century Spanish military saddle, was widely used in early Texas and the American southwest. As the region became more settled, ranchers and Rangers began adapting this saddle to better meet their needs. Combining elements from English, cavalry, and vaquero styles created a more efficient and comfortable saddle for long periods of riding.

Early vaquero saddles were held on the horse by a single cinch located at the front of the saddle. Texans added a second cinch at the rear of the saddle for safety and stability. As the needs of Rangers and other horsemen changed, leather ties, straps, and buckles were added to the saddle to hold extra equipment, bedrolls, spare clothing, and other necessities. Rangers would sometimes remove or muffle buckles and metal parts of horse tack that might give away their position."

And you'll notice the saddle with the rifle scabbard in the previous post does indeed have an extra ring on the shoulder. Neato.

Now wouldn't someone like Smart Chic Olena or Lone Star look cool tacked up as a Texas Ranger's mount, out patrolling the prairie and brush country looking for bad guys? I smell a future live show setup...

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

It's Taciturn Tuesday! (IMG INTENSIVE)

(because it's too early for Wordless Wednesday and I won't have time to post tomorrow :p)

A 1940's Mexican saddle from the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, TX. (feel free to save to your reference folder)














A saddle with a rifle scabbard (sorry to say I didn't get a good shot of the info placard):





Another saddle with a ring set in the shoulder to hold the rifle scabbard:




A Plains saddle repro: