Etiquette

Horseman in general are the most congenial, the most helpful group in the world, but don't like and won't accept phonies. Everyone wants to have the feeling of belonging whenever they join a horse group. A rider may become obnoxious, without meaning to, by the manners he displays and the way he manages his horse around others. To get "off on the right foot" is important. More than likely they have observed the ability of the new horseman and made up their minds as to the type of person he is.

An experienced horseman can tell a true horseman by his actions around a horse, the way he approaches it to mount, the manner in which he picks up the reins. A good horseman proves his ability by action, not by word. An unpardonable sin is to tell anyone what a good horseman you are.

When you first approach a group, introduce yourself, explain where you come from, and that you would like to get acquainted. The conversation will almost immediately lead to your horse. Someone is sure to say, "Pretty nice animal you have there." This is the icebreaker. You can give the group an idea about yourself by explaining the breeding, where you bought him, and what you think he can do, being modest on the latter.

In this first conversation your new acquaintances will know what knowledge of horsemanship you have. "Horse talk" is like any other "trade talk." An engineer can tell another engineer; a plumber, by jargon, knows another plumber, and so on. You can't fool experience. There are definite patterns of behavior you follow with horse people.

You never ask to ride another person's horse, you wait to be invited. It is poor taste ever to ask for anything personal, and a horse is most personal. The fact that an animal can be ruined by poor handling makes an owner cautious about who is allowed astride his horse. If you are in need of an extra horse, rent him from a stable. If you are well known by your crowd, you may be invited to use a friend's horse. But your ability and your respect for the animal will come first. By the same token, don't borrow tack. This includes lead and tie ropes that some owner may have left at the rail while riding. He will expect to find them there when he returns. If you are offered equipment to use, be sure to return it in the good shape in which it was loaned. Defective tack is dangerous, and keeping it in repair is necessary not only for the condition of the equipment but for safety also. Always tie your horse securely when you leave him, and ask permission about where to tie him. If your horse has droppings, when you return you should clean them up. Even if you are astride, perhaps talking to a group, the droppings should be cleaned before you leave. This is a matter of courtesy.

The stable owner has his own work to do, and horsemen, casually dropping in, can make a lot of work. If you clean up after your horse when visiting, you will always be welcome. Don't be afraid to ask permission about everything you do.

Even on neighborhood trail rides ask permission to accompany a group. Should you have an ill-mannered horse, stay well away from other horses. Don't come to meet new friends "duded up."

For every sport there is proper clothing. You wouldn't think of going swimming in a suit of red-flannel underwear, so don't go riding in a pair of shorts. Western clothing, as other sports clothes, is designed for comfort, for protection, and for style. Don't make remarks about tight-fitting riding pants. Should you ever go on a trail ride with a loose-fitting pair of pants, every wrinkle will form a chafed spot and you will be miserable on the ride and painful for some time afterward. Underwear worn under riding pants should also be form fitting. Jeans, especially because of the roughness of the cloth from which they are made, should fit as tight as comfort will allow. A new pair of jeans will be quite stiff, but a few washings will take the sizing out of the cloth and they will become form fitting and comfortable as they are worn.

Western shirts are designed for rough use and comfort. They fit well about the shoulders and are form fitting about the waist. There is no place for a flapping shirttail when roping calves, bulldogging steers, or even riding a western saddle just for pleasure. A flick of the rope might become entangled with a shirttail and be the cause of an accident. The shirttail could be caught around the horn when dismounting, or be caught up in the reins. The yoke of the shirt gives more freedom to the arms and keeps the shirt from splitting on the sides. The snap buttons are for quick removal of the shirt when necessary. Chaps are not for decoration, either.

Chaps come in many styles, and each has a purpose and use. The primary use for the chap was to protect a good pair of breeches from getting torn by brush, maybe a leg from a bruise or scratch, knees dry and warm in bad weather. Since the introduction of chaps by the Spaniards when they brought their cattle to Mexico they have undergone many changes in style and use. The closed-leg chap, not used much today, was the most practical. It had no superfluous leather, it was light in weight as well as warm, and rainproof. Fur chaps were popular, first, because they shed rain and were windproof, then they became the badge of the rodeo performer. However, they are seldom seen any more. Batwings or flap chaps have been worn since the earliest days and are still preferred by some rodeo performers to enhance their bronco riding. The working cowboy uses them for the added protection when working on the ground. Chinks come just below the knees and are used during hot weather, for light brush, ring showing, and parading. There is the Mexican tight leg or California pants, reinforced with buckskin for a good grip. There are at least thirteen styles of chaps, different belt types, and decorations. As always, styles come and go, and many of the styles are only memories.

Western boots have made almost as many changes. The old western boot had a high heel. This type heel had many uses and was a definite safety feature. It prevented the cowboy from shoving his foot through the stirrup and eliminated being hung up in the saddle if thrown. It was used to "dig in" when holding a calf or a horse. A good pair of western boots will last many years. There is no footwear more comfortable than a well-fitted boot. No matter how long they are worn, nor how frayed the leather becomes, they never appear to stretch out of shape. However, with the popularity of western clothing spreading to non-riders the boot changed to many styles. You may buy a pointed toe, round toe, flat heel, high heel, scallop tops (shallow or deep), stovepipe, and every height from the six-inch to sixteen. Every material from rough out to sealskin, sharkskin, alligator skin, pigskin, kidskin, and horsehide is used. Some boots are even suede Indian type, which can come well up over the knee. Some have zippers. They come in every pattern of stitching and every combination of colors. The flat heel is better for the horseman who must do a lot of walking or working around horses on the ground. Whether the flat heel or riding heel is used is now a matter of personal preference. Every boot is designed for a purpose and should be selected for suitability to this purpose.

Gloves are an important item of western dress. They protect the fingers and palms of the hands from rope burns, blisters, and calluses. Working horses and cattle is hard work, and if the fingers are not protected there is a chance for fractures and sprains. Gloves will give more protection from these than is realized.

The western hat has more uses than just a head covering. Cowboys have used hats for pillows, as well as for watering and feeding their horses. The large brim was intended for protection against wind, rain, and sun. With all these kinds of misuse the hat can be pushed back into shape again. Hats are usually made of a high-quality beaver material and the brims may be from three to five inches, and many heights and styles in the crown. In the earlier days the crowns were built high, thus the ten-gallon hat. Today we have such crown styles as Horseshoe, Cheyenne Roll, Sho-low Special, Stockman, and Laramie Crush. Straw hats have become popular for their coolness and durability. The Oklahoma Bulldogger is rain-resistant, lightweight, and cool, and is an excellent fit. The hats can be of any color. But crowns and colors aside, a good western hat has more importance than just looking stylish. It should fit snugly. Many people laugh when they see a movie cowboy, in a furious fight, never lose his hat. If the hat fits well, a cowboy can ride a fighting bronc, rope a calf, bulldog a steer, and still have his hat when he is finished. A horseman usually wears his hat well down over his forehead.

Even the kerchief is not for decorative purposes. When driving cattle the cowboy uses it to cover his nose and mouth against the dust of the trail. It can be folded into a narrow band and worn around the throat for warmth. It can be used as a dishcloth, a washrag, a towel, coffee strainer, or a tie under the collar for dress.

Spurs are an important item for every horseman. However, one must learn to walk in them and when to use them on the horse. Cowboys wear them for quick action with a horse. A spur-broken horse rarely needs the use of spurs. He hears them, knows they will be used if necessary, and works accordingly. They are used as aids, training and punishing an animal. No one should be allowed to wear them without thorough training in their proper use.

Western clothing is attractive and comfortable. In choosing apparel, fit it to the need. Don't buy extremely fancy clothing unless it is for a specific purpose. Trick riders go in for sequined shirts and riding pants and flashy colors to glamorize their act, but these have no place with the ordinary rider. Somber tones, matched colors, tailored and well-fitted outfits, and last but not least cleanliness in dress, will put you in the right category of the western horseman.

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