REATA
Six-strand, 3/8 inch, braided rawhide reata with hondo detail, attributed to Luis B. Ortega, mid-1900s. Autry National Center, Museum of the American West. 86.2.116
Spanish vaqueros called their braided rawhide rope la reata. It became known as a lariat in English. The reata is used by vaqueros to catch animals. One one end of the reata is a hondo. The hondo is the small, knotted end of the rope through which the rest of the rope slides creating a running noose.
Reatas are braided from at least four 85-foot strips of rawhide. Each strip needs to be evenly cut and trimmed before it can be braided.
DID YOU KNOW?
In order to keep the reata flexible, vaqueros would tie it between two trees and rub a lemon and then beef fat (suet) over the entire surface. This kept the leather from drying out and becoming stiff.
Why do you think it was important for la reata to stay flexible?
Go Back
BOSAL
The hackamore, or jáquima, is used without a bit. The main element is the bosal, or flexible braided loop, which fits over the horse’s nose.
Hackamores are used to train colts, or young horses. The bosal is the part of the hackamore that rests on the horse’s upper nose. The hackamore puts pressure on the nose of the horse, allowing the rider to communicate with the animal. Today bits are commonly used while training horses, however these can cause damage inside the horses mouth. The hackamore with bosal is the traditional way vaqueros trained a horse without injuring it.
DID YOU KNOW?
Bosals can be as thick as a broom handle or as thin as a pencil? As the horse is trained smaller and smaller bosals are needed to convey directions.
Go Back
QUIRT
The California-style quirt, was an essential tool of the vaquero in the training of a hackamore horse. The quirt on the top has a sixteen-strand body, red handle of dyed rawhide and leather popper. Neil Mussallem Collection.
The quirt in the center has a sixteen-strand body, red interweaves and leather popper with fringe. Neil Mussallem Collection.
The quirt on the bottom has a sixteen-strand body, natural, red and black interweaves and black leather popper. Bill Goble Collection.
A quirt is a small whip with a leather thong, or popper, at the end. It is hit against the rider’s chaps to create a loud noise that tells the horse to go faster. The leather loop allows a rider to hang around his wrist or on the saddle horn. Quirt comes from the Spanish term la cuarta, meaning whip.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the California vaquero tradition the quirt is attached to the reins of the horse and is called a romal.
Go Back
HOBBLES
Various hobbles with doubled sixteen-strand rawhide bodies; covered stainless steel ring and buttons with interweaves. High Noon Collection, Los Angeles.
Hobbles are secured to the front legs of a horse to prevent it from wandering too far away. This was very handy to the vaqueros who would spend many nights in the fields with their horse and livestock.
DID YOU KNOW?
Hobbles were often attached to a horse when a saddle was put on for the first time.
Justin McInteer, Education Coordinator, Autry National Center.
|
What are these?
