Here is an instruction manual for the novice worker in rawhide. Unlike many other works on the subject, this book assumes no previous knowledge or experience. The reader is shown in drawings and photographs every step of the procedure starts with a fresh cowhide, continues through cutting strings and braiding, and ends with finished reatas, bosals, hobbles, or reins. Along the way, the author discusses the needed tools and implements, which the beginner can make for them (out of readily available materials) by following the directions in this book. The chapters on braiding provide simplified techniques for producing a number of basic patterns, which may be modified or enlarged upon to yield endless variations. Users or collectors of braided rawhide will value this book for its demonstration of what to look for when buying an article, how to care for it, and, in a historical vein, how each item was produced in the past. For those who collect, use, or aspire to learn how to make your own cowboy horse gear, dont miss Woolerys book. Western Horseman

The Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding is the definitive work on the subject and results from the late Bruce Grants many years of interest and experience as a braider and writer on the subject. It combines most of the material published in Leather Braiding and How to Make Cowboy Horse Gear with a mass of completely new material. The books more than 350 illustrations are arranged so that the step-by-step instructions face the picture being described, making it very easy to follow. While the book is primarily for those interested in leathercraft, in nearly all cases the methods of braiding are applicable to many other materials, such as silk, cotton, plastic, catgut, or horsehair. Braidwork takes many forms, and its applications are practical as well as decorative. The combination of beauty and utility lends itself to an array of itemspersonal gear or clothing, working or show gear for a horse, decoration of plain, carved, or tooled leather work. Truly a book to be used as well as read, Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding provides all the information needed for this satisfying pastime.

Leather Braiding has stood for more than forty years as the definitive book in its field. Grant's clearly written guide to the art of leather braiding contains detailed illustrations, step-by-step instructions, and a wealth of incidental, fascinating information. It makes accessible, to even the novice, serviceable and recreational uses of leather, from the simple but clever braided button to the elaborate results of thong appliqu . The book includes a historical perspective of leather and its function in society, a chapter on leather braiding tools, and a glossary of terms.

The most comprehensive overview of Ortega's life, art, and career An acclaimed rawhide braider of horse gear, Luis Ortega elevated his craft to collectible art and influenced a generation of gear makers. This book is the most comprehensive overview of his life, art, and career and the first book-length work on rawhide braiding in North America, charting changes in horse gear over five decades. Chuck Stormes and Don Reeves introduce readers to an itinerant cowboy who strove for a level of craftsmanship and artistry above what the market expected--and to be the best in his field. Although grounded in the Spanish vaquero tradition, Ortega's work was shaped by his quest for excellence and an intuitive sense of how to fashion humble items into objects of lasting beauty. Ever a private man, he viewed his craft as a calling yet rarely sought attention even after his reputation was established. More than a biography, the book is a richly illustrated overview of this expert braider's art. Some 100 illustrations, 70 in color, offer close-ups of Ortega's work that depict the intricacy of his reins, quirts, and other pieces. From eight-strand reatas to figure-eight hobbles, the beauty, functionality, and painstaking care of his output shine through in every piece. This elegant volume allows readers to better understand the Hispanic foundations of the American cowboy as it portrays the work of a man recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Master Traditional Artist. It will stand as a definitive work on Ortega and a tribute to his craft.

An essential addition to any collection of Western art and Americana, The Life and Times of Jo Mora provides an in-depth biography of this gifted illustrator, painter, writer, cartographer, and sculptor. Jo Mora (1876–1947) lived the Western life he depicted in his prolific body of visual art, comprising sculpture, paintings, architectural adornments, dioramas, and maps. He explored California Missions, the natural glories of Yosemite, California’s ranch life, and eventually the culture of the Hopi and Navajo in Arizona. During his travels, Mora documented observations that became the source material and inspiration for much of his later artwork. The magnitude of Mora’s insights into his life and work, as described in his own words—many presented here in this book—cannot be underestimated. Jo Mora’s many diaries, journals, and literary efforts reveal an intellectual discernment, originality, and humor that enhance our appreciation of his work. Remarkably, throughout his life Mora supported his family solely through a series of art commissions that ranged from restaurant murals to heroic-scale sculpture. He welcomed risks and challenges, was unafraid of hard work, and did nearly everything well, from writing children’s stories to commanding an army battalion-in-training to shooting mountain lions. Ever modest, he seemed to think that this versatility was nothing extraordinary. Peter Hiller’s thoughtful presentation of Jo Mora’s life is seen here in all of its creative glory.

• The must-have guide for working with leather. • Great book for beginning leather crafters. • Comprehensive presentation of essential techniques. • Handy tips from leather crafting experts. • Well-illustrated with color photos. • Traditional floral carving step-by-step project.

The Art of Hackamore Training reflects the hackamore horse’s long history with ranch and cattle work and how those skills can be transferred to Western riding’s competitive arena. The relatively recent advent of the popular ranch-horse versatility class in several associations, for example, ensures a continuing interest in the hackamore skills vaqueros honed long ago.