Blog — Rancher

Hand-carved leather has long been considered a highly valued material. The earliest preserved hand-carved leather items date back 3,000 years and were used to decorate homes and body armor. Leather carving grew even more popular in the 1800s when the practice was picked up by cowboys and ranchers of the Wild West. The elaborate and highly decorative saddles showcased wealth and status among the cowboy and ranching communities. 

Cattle ranching is essential to our economy and life here in the United States of America. Texas alone holds 130.2 million acres devoted to farms and ranches and generates billions in revenue each year. According to the USDA, “Cattle production is the most important agricultural industry in the United States, consistently accounting for the largest share of total cash receipts for agricultural commodities” and would bring in $391 billion in 2021. With such a monumental industry in our own backyard, do you wonder how it all began? 

When you think of a cowboy’s attire, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If it isn’t the boots, it’s likely the iconic cowboy hat. This notable hat style can be seen throughout the West, whether on a ranch, at a rodeo, or in a classic western film. In the words of Lucius Beebe, “It was the hat that won the West.” But how did this infamous hat of the West come into being?

I’m sure you have heard the term “cowboy” many times. Likely in association with Hollywood films featuring John Wayne or with rodeos like Cheyenne Frontier Days. However, do you know much about the origin of the cowboy?...