The relentless flow of invention and modernization over the ages has left very few things in the world remaining as valued or relevant as they were centuries ago.  One exception is a true bridle horse– a horseman’s treasure from the time of the early California Spanish land grants to the era of modern cattle ranches […]

Ensuring the legacy of the cowboy legend lives on for future generations By Jennifer Whiteley The Nevada Rancher Elko, Nev-Paula Bear Wright had aspirations of creating a cowboy art and gear museum to preserve the cowboy and vaquero heritage for generations to come.  Her son John Wright and daughter in-law Susan are helping to see […]

A piece of the vaquero horsemanship puzzle but also an art in and of itself, the use of the two-rein in is the penultimate phase in the creation of the bridle horse.   In a loose comparison, this transitional method might be likened to training wheels on a bicycle. Whether a horse was first started in […]

The jaquima,  or hackamore, could be called the signature piece of traditional vaquero horsemanship because of its unique role in the progression of a “green” colt to a finished bridle horse.   Over the years, the use of a hackamore has shifted from an essential training tool toward more of an instrument of art, practiced […]

Watch a short video produced by Travel Nevada! John Wright, owner of J.M. Capriola Co., explains the importance of guarding tradition, building custom saddles, and why he chooses Elko, Nevada to call home. Visit Travel Nevada for more information on our great state.

Of all the things cowboys might be famous for, the least well-known might be their ingenuity and talent for improvising.  From cow-camp toothache remedies to temporary baling twine tack repair, working cowboys seem to have a certain knack for “making do” that’s born of necessity.    The proverbial bag of cowboy tricks is deep and […]

Look in any trainer’s tack room or working cowboy’s warbag, and you are virtually guaranteed to find at least one snaffle bit. In its various forms, the snaffle is common to nearly every riding discipline, and has been a fundamental horseman’s tool for literally thousands of years. The function of a snaffle bit is simple: […]

by Becky Prunty-Lisle For every form of art, there are artists, and there are imitators. It is said that imitation is the most sincere form of admiration, and throughout the ages, the most famous artists have naturally been the ones most frequently imitated. The same holds true for the art of silver bit and spur […]

From the fine craftsmanship of rawhide braiders to the expertise and finesse of a true bridle horse man, traditional vaquero horsemanship and its gear are functional art forms passed down through centuries.  It is a proud legacy, continued today with due reverence on the ranch and range, and in the show pen. In the year […]