Well, I’m an older lady with an excess of extra padding, if you get my drift. I can’t buy much of any equestrian clothing off the rack, never mind chinks or working chaps or schooling chaps or whatever. There are a couple of brands of breeches that accommodate me. Custom isn’t in the budget.
But in my many years, I’ve done a fair amound to different types of riding, and I listen and learn when I’m really interested. I got into the horsemanship that Buck teaches about 10 years ago, with a local fellow who is a good student of Buck’s. We’ve had the conversation several times, me fussing about not having all the bells and whistles, and he assuring me that Buck sees through the trapping to the quality of the rider, which is true.
Three or four years ago, my gelding was ready to go in the two-rein and there happened to be a Buck clinic in the area so I took him for Buck to watch us work. By that time, I had a pretty nice Wade saddle, but still no chinks–I’ve simply no need of them. My bit was a working-level Jeremiah Watt, with stainless cheeks and no silver, but a proper, well balanced bit. My headstall had no silver, and my bosal was working-level (my ace in the hole was a pair of Ortega reins–that’s another story) but everything fit well, was clean and workman-like. I rode in jeans, paddock boots, tom thumb english spurs, and my trusty Tipperary helmet–some things about my eventing years I will not let go of. But my horse was on his best behavior that weekend, he was positively magical. After the second day, Buck said very little to me, but it was clear that I wasn’t a Barbie and had done some good work with the horse. But it was also clear I wasn’t planning to become a rancher, and was doing it for the good of the horse, and for the satisfaction of the accomplishment. No one said a word about how I was dressed. (well, I’m sure there were comments behind my back, but are there ever NOT?)
I did have a rope on my saddle that time. Buck says about that, something similar to what LeGoff said about carrying a stick and spurs on XC.
If you were to ask Buck, he’d have a good reason for every piece of equipment he wears on himself or his horse. But you’d have to be living Buck’s life (as a rancher) in order for all of that to apply to you. I’ve thought about what I might say in response to someone saying I was missing this or that, and, at my age, I’d frankly answer that if I were the person you were sending out to ride fence or gather cattle in the wilds of Wyoming, there would be more questions due about your sanity than about any lack of equipment on my horse.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate and enjoy the horsemanship that goes with that lifestyle, even if I limit what I am willing to do with it. Cowman or not, it’s good for my horses. And THAT, Buck will always see.
Yes, Buck does say you can grab your rope as a right-handed night latch if your horse gets lost. And the rope chained along the back cinch can be made into hobbles. (and, yes, it is Susan Hopkins, and she is a really spectacular rider).
And now I may shop for a new western saddle because the one I have is a “trail” saddle and I might like to try more of a ranch-type saddle. Oh, and maybe I’ll want to start playing with a rope.
