SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE WESTERNER

I see by your outfit

By Julie Carter

There is a phrase made popular in song that says “Don’t call him a cowboy until you’ve seen him ride.” It goes right along with the wisdom of “clothes don’t make the cowboy.”

With the growing popularity of “cowboy” symposiums, cowboy poetry gatherings and other such galas made popular by permission of the urban cowboy craze of the 70’s the world has seen some amazing variations in what a cowboy is supposed to look like.

Let me first say, most of what the “world” sees on their side of the cattleguard “ain’t it.”

My story is part of a series describing the melting pot of cowboys formed by the migration to the cowboy work available in the Texas panhandle.

When the ranch-raised seasoned cowboy arrives in the panhandle, his clothing and tack show a regional influence of where he calls home.

The south Texas cowboys, accustomed to dodging through thickets where everything has dangerous sized stickers usually have tapaderos on their saddles, long leggings, lots of rawhide tack and a hat that will pull down real tight.

Their heavy-made stout horses will be startled by open country, gentle fat cattle and they will spook at their own shadow when coming out in the daylight. These brush poppers will be surprised how exposed to the elements they seem to be after working in country covered solid in thorn trees and cactus. And of course the Texas panhandle is infamous for its “elements.”

The south Texas cowboy will have a saddle with a high cantle complete with scratches for a signature of its life in the brush. Often they will have custom tack and silver on bits and spurs reflecting the pride attached to cowboying in that rough country. Every one of these brush hounds will be wearing a brush jacket whether it is a snowing blizzard or 112 degrees in the shade.

Nevada buckaroos will express an initial opinion that people in Texas or almost anywhere except Nevada do entirely too much work on foot. Buckaroos are generally too important to ever get off their horses and just don’t see the sense in doing anything that can’t be done horseback. They mellow out after awhile but in reality are surprisingly good at doing some unusual activities from a horse.

Their style with tack, saddles and clothing will reflect vanity as well as functionality. Buckaroo saddles may be the A fork style, often with bucking rolls or a Wade tree style (sits low and stays put no matter what) with flat bottom stirrups with a strip of leather sewn in the back tread of the foot to help from losing a stirrup.

Their California mission style bits will often be Garcia or Sliester made with slobber chains. Some will be wearing suspenders and most will have wild rags (large silk neck scarves) and low crown hats with flat brims. Most will be wearing 16 inch top boots with an under slung heel. Their britches from the knee down will be several shades darker never having seen the outside of their boot tops.

The vaqueros from the blue mountains of Mexico will come in without saddles or a horse, well worn clothing and not much else. They will be good with spurs, riatas and senoritas. Feedlot managers are often hesitant to hire these men but when a good one comes along, he will be one of the best with horses.

Many times though these hard working people are relegated to cleanup and processing crews. They have a history of having a grandmother in failing health who requires a visit about every three months and a return date is never more than a “maybeso.” Just as often, entire families will return faithfully year after year to a good manager. They are as important to the industry as the very best college educated managers.

Next week I will outline the defining rigs, garb and attitudes of a few more of the “boys in boots” from around the country that end up picking up their mail in the panhandle of Texas.

Julie can be reached for comment at jcarter@tularosa.net

© Julie Carter 2005

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