Buckaroo Leather Newsletter Issue#13 Vol. 1

Published: Sun, 06/27/10


                      
Buckaroo Leather Newsletter-the Newsletter to Demand!!!!    
 
 
 

Issue #13
New Conchos for the saddle
Western States HOrse Expo
Mark Rashid
Farah DeJohnette
Buckaroo Deal- 4th of July Discount

 
 
Deadwood
 
Poker Alice
 
Poker Alice was born Alice Ivers February 17, 1853 in Devonshire, England. Her family moved to Colorado while she was still young and this is where she married and was soon thereafter widowed. Her husband had taught her to play poker and taro and as a young widow in Colorado she refined her talent for gambling and began to hang out in gambling halls. Before long she learned to deal poker and to make a decent living from it.

She moved to Deadwood and met and married her second husband, a gambler named Tubbs whom she beat regularly at poker. He was a painter who contracted tuberculosis which caused his death.

Alice was a beautiful young woman who enjoyed the game. She regularly won as much as $6,000 a night which supported her family of four boys and three girls. She could hold an impassive "poker" face which gave her a great advantage. She was known to carry a .38 revolver and was not afraid to use it.

Poker Alice's later years were tough and sometimes despairing. The passing years had tired her. The clothing she had amassed had lost its charm. She adopted a khaki skirt, a man's shirt, a frayed hat and always the dead cigar dangling from her aging lips. Money became scarce as the games became stale. The thrill of winning now seemed more ephemeral. She had witnessed the passing of her beautiful and exciting youth, an ambiance described by Mildred Fiedler as "aristocratic." She bootlegged alcohol to support herself until prohibition put the lid on the bottle and her plan. She eventually moved a few miles to the north to Sturgis where she opened a whorehouse, although she continued to play poker and taro.

 
Poker Alice
 

 
 
 
To Read more about the infamous characters of Deadwood-become a fan of Buckaroo Leather on Facebook
 
 
 
   







 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Be sure to look for an email next week from Buckaroo Leather with a special Fourth of July Discount!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Be apart of the excitement and learn fascinating Old West History, see new products, meet some amazing horse trainers!
 

 

 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Helpful Links
 
New Conchos to
Dress up your Saddle

         

 
 
6/27/10
Buckaroo John
 
 
Buckaroo Leather has introduced a new set of hand engraved conchos for your saddle. We have made it easier for you to add all the Bling you want to your saddle. There are two styles, slotted and screwback. All of the conchos are hand engraved and silver plated and come in a set of 6.
 
These conchos are on sale for a great price
normally $99.00 they are just $89
 
 
 
These unique conchas will really dress up that old saddle or create a new fashion statement at your next horse event. Take a look at this video, to help you fit your new conchas to your saddle.
 
 

      
                                                             Antique Berry SPBA option                       The 4 other styles to choose from
 
 
 
Silver Concha Saddle set for saddles with saddle strings, 6 piece matching set- 4 each 1 1/2" and 2 each 1 1/4" slotted to slide over saddle strings. Old Mexico style hand engraved silver plated.
 
Options are -
the 1st picture- Antique Berry SPBA
 
the 2nd picture from top to bottom-
top are Oklahoma-OSP smooth edge,
2nd down is Pico edge-SP,
3rd down Poco edge Berry-SPB,
bottom is Heart-SPHRT.
 
 
 
 
            Antique Berry-SPBA                       4 other options    
 
 
Silver Concha Saddle set for saddles with screw in/back conchas, 6 piece matching set- 4 each 1 1/2" and 2 each 1 1/4" long screw back to screw into saddle. Old Mexico style hand engraved silver plated.
 
Options are
1st picture-Antique berry-SPBA
2nd picture from top to bottom
Oklahoma-OSP smooth edge,
2nd down is Pico edge-SP,
3rd down Poco edge Berry-SPB,
bottom is Heart-SPHRT
 
 
 
 
I wrote a blog on the Vaquero influence on our saddles today and about the ultimate saddle man Ed Bohlin. I thought it would inspire all of you to adorn your saddles with your favorite conchos. 
 
The Californio Vaquero's started this great tradition of saddle and horse tack decoration. Vaquero's were skilled horseman who took great pride in their horsemanship and their gear. Looking good was as important as riding well.

The Californio Vaquero's western Saddles were truly works of art. While the decoration styles remained very traditional, the saddle's decoration changed by geographical location and time. The Vaquero adorned their saddles with leather lacing, leather carving or stamping and of course engraved silver work.

This silver work can still be seen on Western Saddles of today. The Western Saddles of today reflect the beauty and tradition of the old Vaquero style. This silver decoration can be subtle or extreme. Whether it is an elaborate show or parade saddles, like the ones Ed Bohlin created or a custom everyday saddle, they all reflect the riders pride in their horsemanship and distinct style.
 
In keeping with this great tradition, Ed Bohlin set out to be a cowboy with an artisitic ability to create beautiful saddles. Here is apart of his story-
 
Eddie Bohlin ran away from home in Orebro, Sweden at age fifteen, hoping to find an apprenticeship as a silversmith. He was unable to find a position and instead worked his way to America on a four-masted schooner, arriving in New York in 1910. As he had been raised with horses, he headed for Montana, where he soon found his first job as a wrangler, rounding up more than nine hundred horses to be sold in Miles City, then the horse trading capital of the world.

For several years Eddie worked as a cowboy on long cattle drives, both on horseback and as a hand on the freight trains that took cattle to the Chicago stockyards. Bohlin had an aptitude for art, this inspired him to attend the Art Institute in Minneapolis for four months. There he learned the basic concepts that later results in his artistic masterpieces.
 
Bohlin had not given up his earlier dream of becoming a silversmith. While working on the Pitchfork Ranch on the Greybull River in Wyoming, Bohlin made a three-piece buckle set from copper, using a jeweler's blowpipe to heat the metal as in a forge.

These and other artistic achievements, along with his art training, encouraged him to open his first silver and saddle shop in Cody, Wyoming, just across the street from Buffalo Bill Cody's Irma Hotel. It was in this shop that he created his first fancy silver-mounted cowboy gear.

While in Billings, Montana, on a buying trip for his shop, an event occurred that changed his life. Billboards around town advertised a vaudeville performance with live horses on the stage, for which he purchased a ticket. Bohlin recognized one of the act's performers from one of his earlier cattle drives and was introduced by him to the show's manager. When Eddie showed the manger some of his rope tricks that he had picked up along the way, he got hired. The vaudeville act, no matter how small-time, eventually gave Bohlin an unexpected break.

In Los Angeles, while performing at the new Pantages Theatre in 1922, Eddie heard a loud voice call out from the audience, "Hey kid! What do you want for the coat?" The fellow had spotted Eddie's coat of black, white and tan calfskin that he had made for himself. "Thirty-five dollars," Eddie yelled back. When Eddie returned the following night, the coat was gone from his dressing room and in its place was a thirty-five dollar check with Tom Mix's picture and name on it.

In those days the cowboy star Tom Mix (1880-1940) was one of Hollywood's most popular actors. Mix asked his friend and business associate, Pat Christman, to invite Eddie to the studio and to bring some silver and leather goods with him. Tom Mix quickly purchased various items, including the silver decorated boots Eddie was wearing at the time, for seventy-five dollars. Mix strongly encouraged him to stay on in Hollywood to produce silver and leather items for the studio market.

With this exciting encouragement, Eddie immediately gave two weeks' notice to the vaudeville troupe's owner and started looking for a place to set up shop. He was fortunate enough to persuade the First Baptist Church in Hollywood to rent him part of their building on the corner of Cahuenga and Selma Avenues.

The rapid success of his business soon required him to move the shop to larger quarters. He occupied a series of addresses on Cahuenga and Selma Avenues, and hired many skilled leatherworkers and silversmiths to augment his own skills and vision.

Tom Mix, his first great customer and friend in Hollywood, was joined by many other film stars, who assured Eddie of a built-in clientele. This connection with the studios quickly brought him the job of supplying the Egyptian-style chariot harnesses for Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," in 1923, and twenty Roman-style chariot harnesses for MGM's 1925 production of "Ben Hur." Another early studio job was supplying two hundred buckskin suits for Universal's 1923 movie "The Days of Daniel Boone." This order alone came to more than four thousand dollars, a huge sum in those days.

Bohlin's relationship with Tom Mix coincided with the beginning of the era of the super fancy movie cowboy, and his skills were matched by Hollywood's demands for spectacular goods in the Western style. In addition to the early custom work he made for Tom Mix, he produced a richly mounted custom saddle, bridle and breast collar for Buck Jones, and a pair of pistols inlaid with gold and silver for William S. Hart.
 
To read more visit the Ed Bohlin-Western Saddle Maker Squidoo Lens
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
                                                                 

Western States Horse Expo
 
 
 
 
6/27/10
John Brand
 
Wanted to give a big Buckaroo Thank you to all those who attended the Western States Horse Expo a few weeks ago. My son, Jason and I had a fun time chatting with all the horseman and women about their tack. We were able to meet a lot of our current customers and develop new lasting relationships.
 
Thank you to the staff of Barns By Harrahs! It was an honor to be apart of your display. The 3 sided shelter worked great.
 

                        
                                       picture 1                       picture 2                   picture 3


 
 
Picture 1-
Happy customers at the Buckaroo Leather Booth at the Western States Horse Expo
 
 
Picture 2-
RFD TV and Rick Lamb interviewed Buckaroo John at the Western States Horse Expo. Check out the interview at http://www.thehorseshow.com. Big thanks to Jane and Rick for the interview!


 
Picture 3-
One of our big sellers at the Expo- 100% Aplaca Reins and Mecates. This is a picture of our customers horse, at the Expo with his new Alpaca reins- he was loving the new reins!
We have also added our famous alpaca reins to these popular pieces of tack-
 
 


Hermann Oak quality 5/8" Harness leather Sidepull Headstall or Black latigo, flat leather nose, double and stitched with soft chap lining; hand edged, rubbed and oiled for a soft supple feel. It is finished with decorative rawhide loops. Standard with a buckle on one cheek for adjustment. 2 buckle option available for extra adjustment (1 on each side). REIN OPTIONS; Cotton one piece style reins to match are attached with leather slobber straps to match or 100% Alpaca. SIZE OPTIONS; Standard Horse size, Small Horse/Cob/Pony, Large Horse/Mule and Draft sizes. A great addition to your horse tack equipment. Buckaroo recommends using a Jowel strap with our Bridles for more stability.
 
 

                      
  
Complete Mecate Bridle Set LH2281ms
 
Premium Leather 5/8" width Browband Headstall Hand crafted from quality Hermann Oak Harness Leather with Buckles at the Bit end for easy change There is a 5" width Iron Ring Snaffle Bit included in the set. Buckle on Slobber Straps Designed for easy Bit and Mecate Change attaching a 23' nylon Mecate. Mecate options are; nylon- Forest Green/Tan-Shown or Black/tan, Cotton- Black/Brown or solid brown. 100% Alpaca earthtone mecate- The Alpaca fibers used in these Reins are grown on a family ranch in South East Colorado.

 

 
 
 
 
      

 
Mark Rashid - Horse Trainer
 
 
 
6/27/10
Mark Rashid
 
 
Mark Rashid (pronounced RASH-id) is an internationally acclaimed horse trainer known for his ability to understand the horse's point of view and solve difficult problems with communication rather than force. He began working with horses at age ten, when he met the "old man," who taught him to work with horses, not against them, and to listen to what the horse is trying to say. Mark's clinics center on one-on-one work with horse and rider and are immensely popular with people around the world.
 
Here is excerpt from one of Mark's Blog-
 

.....Now the main reason I bring up this little story is to illustrate a couple of fundamental beliefs that I have when it comes to working with horses. The first, and probably most important, is we should always work with the horse at the speed they are able to go, not some preconceived idea of how fast we think they should be learning.

Case in point: from the time we started working with Tico, a virtually unhandled, six year old wild horse, until the time someone was on his back, took nearly two years. However, when the time came to get up on him, the process was as calm and uneventful as if he had been accepting a rider on his back all his life. But the point is, HE was ready. All the homework had been done, and he understood completely what was going on. It may have taken two years...but it was time well spent.

On the other hand there is Soley. Also a mustang, although he lived his entire life in a domestic situation and had been handled a lot over the years. Getting him started under saddle took much less time. All together, probably no more than twenty hours total from the time we first got him started in the process last fall until the time Trudi first got on his back in Florida.
 
Two horses owned by the same two people, using relatively the same starting process, but each horse treated as the individuals they are and worked with in the time frame the horse needed to move at, not the time frame the human wanted to move at. In the end, both horses ended up in the same place - reliable mounts for their owners. This also illustrates the second point I wanted to bring up. The fact that both Tim and Trudi were as patient with their horses as they needed to be, but also kept them moving forward when they were ready to go. To me, that is what being a horseman is all about and a tribute to these two wonderful folks and their horses.

The truth be told, if more folks could see their way to working with their young horses the way Tim and Trudi do, I might still be starting colts in clinics!
 
Read Mark's Full Story Here-
Visit his website and read his blogs and follow him on facebook!

 




 

      

Farah DeJohnette- Horse Trainer
 
 
 
6/27/10
Farah DeJohnette
 
 
Farah DeJohnette has over 20 years of horse training expertise. Her talent in competitive horse training blended with her Natural Horsemanship and Holistic programs make her a uniquely skilled Trainer.

Farah's scope is broad and embraces many different methods. To sum it up Farah's approach is a blend of Dressage based training meets Natural Horsemanship meets balanced seat riding or "Integrative Horsemanship".
            
Visit Farah DeJohnette's website, blog, and video horse training. You can also follow her on facebook.
 
Here is an entry from her Blog-
 

This is the first video in a series I wanted to do on the link between Liberty work, riding issues and how you can overcome them. I am sharing my journey with my mare Phoenix who has been a challenge from the get go. I feel like it is important to share the links I am finding with my horse to our riding issues. My hope is for people to understand the deep importance and role of Carolyn Resnick and the Waterhole Rituals to your mounted work.

If you are unfamiliar with the Waterhole Rituals, They are 7 exercises which progressively build Bond, Trust, Willingness, Focus, Respect, Connection, and Desire in the Horse and Person Simultaneously. And yes, I said it builds these qualities in the person as well.

Through the exercises, you learn how to emulate and step into the role of a "Lead" horse versus a Dominant horse and the difference. A lead horse makes requests of other horses. A Dominant horse seeks to Dominate other horses. You become a Leader you horse WANTS to follow because he chooses to.

The exercises teach you to slow down, and be present when working or riding your horse and eventually be more present in general. They are not meant to be something you do and then once you learn them you stop. They are meant to be a permanent addition to your practice and a continual method to build better and better communication, feel, and connection. The Connection will literally keep getting better and stronger. This work has brought an aspect to my Training that has increased my fun, joy and understanding of horses as well as creative problem solving to common "issues".

If you love your horse but you are not sure your horse feels the same towards you, Carolyn Resnick's Waterhole Rituals will help your horse feel toward you as he does toward his favorite pasture/herd mates (if he has them). If he doesn't have "horse" friends. He will learn to relate to you as a likeable "Lead" Horse.

The applications of The Waterhole Rituals are literally endless and are only limited by your imagination. You can "Technically" Train a horse all you want, but if he doesn't WANT to work for you, he's not going to. These exercises help your horse want to work with you because he chooses to. Not because his choices are do it or else. In the world of competition, I would feel much more trust in a team mate who wanted to give me everything he had then one who was afraid of the consequences of not doing so.

If you would like to know more about this Method and the extraordinary woman who founded it go to Carolyn Resnick's Blog to find out more.
 
          
 

        




 
 
 



 


 
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