Made Local

Made in Texas.

Vaquero braiding is beautiful and useful. Not many people have heard of it or know why braiding was used in the American West. Ranching cattle all day took its toll on a horse’s equipment and using rawhide from the cattle was a perfect way to maintain it. The braiding allowed for reins that were strong while the many knots down the length of the braid added drape and balance. It takes time to learn how to braid with consistency and even longer to learn the techniques to make those knots look “just right”. These people took the time to learn.

Vaquero braiding is one of the arts of the Americas. From Argentina to Canada, traditional braiding is common to all our cultures. Wherever people rode horses, there was probably at least one braider making and maintaining tack for the horses. Those braids didn’t happen quickly but took long hours of practice. The knots could end up being very ornate when the strings were extremely fine. It’s good to remember that we need beautiful things in our lives. They make us better for seeing them, for having them, and for making them.