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Yes, cowboy boots are becoming decidedly fashionable. Whether on the street or in their traditional home on the ranch, they are classic, distinctive, and have a rugged look.

There are a few tips on how to wear cowboy boots that should be considered. Some outfits are topped off with a pair, while others are turned off. 

Cowboy boots are quite specific so do require a modicum of conviction and organization with the rest of your outfit.

Footwear like this is not to be worn lightly and you may find that your outfit becomes confusing as soon as you put them on. Worn with even more cow leather with a Western-styled hat and you could be auditioning for Halloween. 

Here we will look at how to wear cowboy boots to make a statement to become footwear that gives your outfit some style.

How To Fully Embrace Cowboy Boots

Part of the experience of wearing cowboy boots is learning how to embrace them. They should be a fashion statement yet that comes with understanding why cowboy boots can be such a superb addition to your wardrobe.

Appreciate the past, of ranchers in the Wild West to film stars such as Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. Having built up such a tradition and authenticity, you should show them the respect they deserve by keeping them clean and conditioned.

Cowboy boots have such a distinctive look that they almost automatically become the focus of attention for your outfit.

Those intricate stitching designs, their calf coverage, the tapered toes, and the rugged leather or snakeskin. The Cuban heels can also add an inch to your height and can make a real difference from wearing flat, dress shoes. 

Unless you are in the Lone Star State, you will be wearing your cowboy boots casually and socially. That should mean a collared shirt and a sleek belt with a pair of relaxed-looking jeans.

A jacket is also ideal as it can help balance out how casual the boots are instead of trying to get away with it wearing just a shirt.

A denim jacket can work well as this is a decent, plain alternative to complement the decorative nature of the boots.

Headwear may also pose an issue as only a Western-style hat really works with a pair of cowboy boots though that can be distracting. If you did want to embellish the cowboy boots then a cow leather belt would be fitting.

Top it off with a decorative buckle and you may really be onto something. Nothing too flashy though, you do not want to take the focus away from the boots. 

If the cowboy boots are not a regular staple to bring out of your wardrobe then you want to check that they fit properly.

Cowboy boots are designed with a narrow toe which helps them fit into a stirrup. The full-grain leather can soften over time yet that is only after regular use.

If you are not used to wearing your cowboy boots then ensure you take the time to break them in first. They can be notoriously stiff and your feet should slip into them, if not then the heel can pinch.

Know Which Cowboy Boots To Look Out For

There are several styles of cowboy boots that each have their own look. A traditional cowboy boot has a Cuban heel and is around 12 inches high.

They are designed for riding horses so do have a slight inward angle that may make walking in them a bit awkward. The Stockman is also a cowboy boot that has a more conventional style. 

If you really want to make a splash with your costume then find a pair of Buckaroos. These are taller so would suit a taller wearer as these are over 14 inches high.

They come with exceptional detailing that should protect and embellish your long legs. You also need to decide on the correct size as these differ between male and female boots for the width.

Men’s cowboy boots are usually sized in B, D, and EE widths while women’s cowboy boots go A, B, and C in width sizes.  

What You Should Not Wear With Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are meant to be worn with some confidence. When worn in an outfit, they should be used as a final touch and not part of a glamorous ensemble.

Think less Marty McFly at the start of Back To The Future III in a flashy pink, yellow and blue tassel shirt. Think more Clint Eastwood in A Fistful of Dollars.

Though your cowboy boots should look good and relatively understated, they should subtly fit with the rest of your outfit. 

Try not to go for a Western theme and avoid ponchos, cowboy hats, and especially spurs. Your boots are supposed to stand out, not fall in line with the rest of an outfit.

Follow the rule of one Western item per outfit, so if you do wear cowboy boots that means you should not wear a bolo tie or a cowboy shirt. The aim of the cowboy boots is to make a fashion statement, not be part of a costume.

How To Wear Cowboy Boots With Jeans

If you are to wear cowboy boots you should fully show them off and definitely do not tuck your jeans into them.

You want people to see the intricate stitching design, don’t you? If you are to wear jeans then dark colors work better as these are ideal for nights out wearing your cowboy boots.

Opt for boot-cut jeans as the flared leg really shows off the boots and ensures that they do not gather around your leg. This style of jeans also does not need to be rolled up when you are putting on your boots, unlike regular or straight-leg jeans.

The jeans should also be the right length and the correct fit. Long enough so they protect your legs and go over the shaft of the cowboy boots but rest above the heel by about a quarter-inch.

Your jeans should not be so long that they get stuck underneath the heel or drag behind the boots. At that length, the ends will get dirty and generally look unkempt. 

Final Thoughts

Even if you have the ideal pair of cowboy boots with a costume that you think looks great, you still need to wear them with some confidence.

Though fashionable, cowboy boots are still relatively uncommon so they will turn heads. To pull off your look, you need to wear your cowboy boots with a bit of flair and notable panache.

That means adjusting your body language accordingly while on the move with your chest held high, your backbone up, and your posture straight. Basically, try to be more Clint Eastwood.

If you have ever ridden a horse, then you will know that you have to go very gentle with them. You can have horses that are very easily spooked and it is important that you keep them on a tight reign.

This can also be a very overwhelming experience for a rider, so you’ll need to make sure that you are doing everything properly so that you don’t injure yourself when you get on the saddle.

Rider and horse comfort is of paramount importance both to avoid falling and getting thrown off your beast.

So what exactly is the proper technique for saddling this animal? How can you be sure that all the straps and cinch are secured correctly?

How can you tie and groom the horse correctly to avoid injury? What is the correct position for the saddle? How can you test that the saddle has been correctly secured?

Well, if you keep reading this article, then you’ll be able to saddle your horse correctly in no time at all.

There will need to be a few checks and tests that you have to do before saddling your horse, although once these are done then you can increase the chances of getting on your horse safe and sound.

How To Prep Your Horse For Saddling

First, we’ll give you the rundown for getting your horse secure, calm and free from injury in order to saddle them properly. It is important to do this foundational work first, otherwise, your horse might get the jitters and try to slip out from under your saddle.

Tying And Grooming

Make sure that your horse is secured to a rail before you try to saddle them. There is no particular knot that is best, although we would recommend a cross knot as they are generally considered to be the most secure.

A horse that is ridden often can become very sore and irritable over time, so you’ll need to make sure that all the fur on its body is groomed properly.

You should never try to ride your horse without proper grooming, as this will be the quickest way for it to develop sores on its body.

You should make sure to use a curry comb to get rid of all the soft mud that has become caked to your horse’s body. Make sure that the horse’s back, belly and legs are paid proper attention and that you have covered all of these areas.

You should also try and remove all the sticks and pieces of grass from the mane before flicking out the stones from in-between the horse’s hooves.

Look For Wounds

Run your hand along the body of the horse to check for any lumps or bumps. If your horse is feeling sore, then the worst thing you can do is try and place a saddle over these sore spots.

If your horse is suffering from any open wounds, then this could also be a sign that it is unfit for riding.

Applying A Comfortable Blanket

You should always put a saddle blanket underneath your horse’s saddle before you start riding it. This will act as a comfortable buffer between the horse and the saddle and stop the leather straps from digging in.

First, you want to apply the padded blanket near the mane before sliding it down to the back of the horse. This is to ensure that the fur is traveling down the horse’s back rather than against the grain.

You’ll want to make sure that the horse is as comfortable as possible before you ride the saddle.

Western Saddles

This saddle is designed for utility, allowing the rider to mount and dismount a lot easier. This type of saddle has a horn on the front and a high back, again, both of these features make the saddle much easier to ride.

If you are riding for long hours, then having a Western-style saddle will be perfect for you.

Fitting And Positioning

Once you have mounted the saddle, then you’ll want to rock it back and forth the horse’s back to make sure that it is fully comfortable.

Make sure that the cinches are folded up first until you have made sure that the saddle is completely comfortable.

Once you have done this, then you can allow the cinches to hang loose down the horse’s haunches. Make sure that you don’t saddle a young horse, as they tend to buck and get hit in the head by the stirrup.

Securing The Cinch

Make sure that the center of the sinch is completely in line with the spine of the horse. This is a great method of being able to tell whether or not your horse is comfortable and whether or not the saddle is itching your friend.

Testing Your Saddle Fits

One method of being able to tell whether your saddle fits or not is by checking to see whether two fingers fit underneath the gullet of the saddle (this is the front of the saddle, which is curved upwards).

Tying The Cinch

This is the most important part of securing the saddle. You’ll want to tie the cinch (the belt that wraps around the horse’s belly) very gently, as you don’t want the horse to develop a cinch rash.

You’ll need to make sure that there are at least two fingers of room between the horse’s belly and the cinch. This is again to ensure that your horse does not suffer from any saddle soreness or cinch-sourness on its underparts. 

We would recommend that you test the strength of the cinch before jumping up onto your saddle to reduce the risk of falling.

Wild horses are an incredible sight. To see a truly wild horse roaming across fields or moors is a sight unlike any other. Wild horses are truly majestic animals, and it is worthwhile being able to see one in its natural habitat.

However, wild horses can also be dangerous. A wild horse can be very unpredictable and can cause a lot of damage if it isn’t handled properly.

If you are thinking of looking after or owning a wild horse, the first thing you need to do is to tame it. If it isn’t tamed, then the horse can cause you more trouble than it is worth.

This is why you must tame your horse as soon as possible. However, you might be wondering how you do it? How do you tame a horse? Well, if you’ve ever asked the question how to tame a horse this article will tell you exactly how to do it. 

How To Tame A Horse 

To begin with, if you can try and get a professional tamer to tame your wild horse. The reason for this is that it is often difficult to tame a wild animal and, if you have never done it before, it can easily go wrong.

This is why you should try to reach out to a professional first before you attempt to tame your wild horse. 

If you only want a little advice and reassurance or to have them on standby, then that can be enough, however it is always vital that you consult a professional first before attempting to tame a wild animal. 

However, if you can’t get the help from a professional then these are the steps you need to follow to ensure that you tame a horse calmly and safely,

so that it becomes much more integrated with human beings and doesn’t cause any harm to anyone else. 

Firstly, you need to ensure that the horse feels calm. This is crucially important because if the horse doesn’t feel calm then it will be more likely to panic and to strike out, potentially causing injury or death in the most extreme circumstances. 

To ensure that the horse is calm, try to remove any potential causes of distress such as loud noises and or bright colors. Horses, particularly wild horses,

have a tendency to be startled by things that they perceive to be threats which is usually focussed on things that they perceive to be dangerous such as loud noises or startling images. 

It isn’t simply a matter of removing anything that could be considered a threat to the horse in its near vicinity, however.

You must also ensure that the horse doesn’t see you as a threat. The best way to make it clear to the horse that you are not a threat it to ensure that you don’t do anything to startle it, such as shout. 

It can at times be exasperating dealing with an animal, particularly when you are trying to tame or train it but shouting is the exact opposite of the response you should be taking.

By alarming the horse by shouting at it, you will rather than tame it simply make it more uncontrollable. 

The loudness of your voice is not the only thing you should consider when attempting to tame a wild horse. Another key point is that your body language should not seem sudden or in any way startling. 

The issue many people often have when they are trying to tame an animal is that their body language is not relaxed enough and that they are too concerned with thinking about what might go wrong that their bodies tense up.

Intelligent animals like horses are well aware of this and will react accordingly which is why you must ensure that your attitude is one that is relaxed and not subject to harsh or immediate change.

The same goes for your breathing – horses, especially wild ones which are used to seeing any other animal as a threat,

will likely take any heavy breathing on your part not as a sign that you are feeling stress but rather that you are a predator that is coming to attack the horse. 

This is why when you are attempting to tame a wild horse you must keep your breathing as natural as possible to ensure that the horse remains relaxed. 

The most important thing you need to remember when taming wild horses is to be calm and take your time. You won’t be able to tame the animal overnight and you shouldn’t expect to be able to either.

It is important that you do your best to react positively to the horse and to ensure that it becomes relaxed around humans and associates’ humans as being positive creatures and not negative ones that can become potential threats. 

Once you have gained the horse’s confidence then you can begin to train it to ride as you would any other horse.

However, before you can do anything like that you must ensure it is totally relaxed around humans and the only way to do that is to ensure that the horse gains trust in them.

Why It Is Important To Know How To Train A Wild Horse

Wild horses aren’t as common around the world as perhaps they once were. However, they do exist both in the United States and in other regions of the world so it is always important to know exactly how to deal with one should you come across them. 

This is why you need to be able to understand how a horse thinks and its mindset – this is crucial to ensuring that the horse is truly relaxed and that it doesn’t have any kind of negative reaction towards humans. 

Taming a wild horse, if you ever get the chance to experience it, can be a wonderful thing because it allows you to take a creature that may be fierce and unpredictable and ensure it becomes a truly loving and gentle animal that anyone can engage with.

An achievement like that is something anyone can be truly proud of.

Breeding a horse means arranging for your horse to do the deed with a horse of the opposite gender, or for your horse to be inseminated.

Basically, breeding your horse is getting your horse pregnant (if it’s a mare), or allowing your horse to get another horse pregnant (if you have a stallion), so that little baby horses (foals) can be made. 

If you own a mare, it essentially consists of arranging for the right stallion to impregnate her, so that she becomes pregnant and has a foal.

It might seem like quite a simple thing, but there’s actually a lot to think about, especially because breeding usually involves choosing the right horse, in order to get the best possible foal down the line. 

Although it seems like all you have to do is let two horses loose on each other, you need to take a lot of different factors into consideration, especially the health of the mare, and whether it is the right time.

After all, many things can go wrong in a pregnancy, and the same goes for pregnancy in horses! You want to be careful, and make sure that everything is safe and under control. 

If you want to know exactly how to breed a horse, specifically, your mare, then keep reading. We’re going to guide you through the process, with everything you need to take into account!

The Step-By-Step Process For Breeding A Horse

The process of breeding your horse can be different, depending on the way you are going about it. After all, there are different methods! However, we will give you the general steps for the standard way of breeding a mare. 

Here is what to do, on a general basis: 

Determine Whether The Mare Is Okay For Breeding

The first thing you need to do, before you even start thinking about breeding your mare, is checking her health to determine whether she’s okay for breeding or not.

What is her overall health like? What condition is she in? Is she up to date on vaccinations and veterinarian checks?

Has she had any severe injuries or illnesses? Make sure to check everything! If your mare isn’t healthy and in good condition, then she can’t be bred, as it would be far too dangerous for her. 

The other thing you need to check is whether she’s at the right age for breeding. Although a mare can start breeding at 18 months of age,

it is best to let them fully grow and develop before they breed. Usually we would recommend waiting until the mare is three or four years of age. 

And if the mare is quite old, consider whether it is even worth trying to breed her, as the older the mare is the harder it will become for pregnancy to be successful. 

Arrange A Breeding Soundness Examination

When it comes to breeding your mare, you 100% have to get your trusted veterinarian involved.

In fact, before procedures are set in place, you should book a breeding soundness examination, so that the vet can check that the reproductive system is in order, and that there are no concerning problems to be found. 

This examination is vital to evaluate whether there might be any problems or complications with a pregnancy for this particular mare, so don’t skip it! 

If there are problems, then talk to the veterinarian about possible solutions, or think about breeding a different horse instead. 

Analyze Your Mare’s Cycles And Track Ovulation

In order to successfully get your mare pregnant on the first try or two, it is important to time it well.

This means that you have to start tracking the mare’s cycle, to figure out when your mare is ovulating, and therefore when is the best time to bring the stallion over or go through the insemination. 

Your veterinarian will be able to help you with identifying the right signs and keeping track of things! Ideally, the best time of year to breed a mare is June, July, and August. This way, the foal will be born in May or July, 11 months after the pregnancy begins.

Contact A Breeder And Set A Date

Once you figure out the optimal time for breeding your mare, it’s time to set a date. For this, you will have to contact the breeder that you are using, whether it’s a stallion that is going to be brought over, or an artificial insemination procedure. 

Make sure to have everything ready beforehand, and to have gone through all of the important information with the breeder in question. 

Check For Pregnancy

After the artificial insemination, or after the mare has come into contact with the stallion, it’s time to check for pregnancy. With a stallion, it is worth having them together for a couple of days, so that there is a higher chance due to repetitive encounters! 

The veterinarian will be able to tell you whether the mare is pregnant or not. If she is, then you proceed to the next step. If she isn’t, you will have to try again, waiting until she is in heat once more. 

Care For Your Pregnant Mare

If your mare is pregnant, make sure to talk to your veterinarian about any special care, or any special dietary needs. It might be that you have to supplement her food with something extra! 

But as a general rule, you can treat the mare as normal for the first two thirds of the pregnancy, and she can even be ridden. It is during the last third of the pregnancy that she will need special treatment and care, to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

Have A Veterinarian On Call For The Labor

Make sure to know what to look out for, so that you can notify your veterinarian upon the first signs of your mare going into labor. Don’t intervene, and make sure that your mare feels comfortable and safe, undisturbed. 

Things To Consider When Breeding A Horse

Here are some things that you should consider when breeding a horse, with aspects that you need to plan beforehand and prepare for: 

• The breeding method (you will have to choose between using a stallion to impregnate the mare, or using artificial insemination) 
• The cost! You have to pay to breed your mare, and there are different expenses such as the veterinarian examinations and interventions, the artificial insemination or stallion used, and more! 
• The date and time! You have to plan ahead for breeding, contacting whoever needs to be contacted so that the procedure can be arranged and organized in a smooth way.
• Make sure that your mare is in good health throughout the entire process! Always have a veterinarian on call, just in case, and make sure you are paying attention to the behavior of your mare, to ensure nothing is wrong. 

Final Thoughts

Breeding a horse might seem as easy as “mare meets stallion, and a baby foal is created”, but in reality, there is a lot of planning, and many different things to consider!

From ensuring that the mare is in good health, to choosing the right method, to tracking the mare’s ovulating cycle…and much more! 

Make sure to plan everything ahead, and to talk things through with your trusted veterinarian.

Nothing is worse than the blisters and bruises from your brand-new cowboy boots.

You want to show them off and get wild in them but your feet are having none of it! Cowboy boots are made to be durable and although that is a good thing, it does also mean there will be a long period where you find yourself uncomfortable and irritated at them.

They will rub your toes ‘til your blisters pop and bleed and no one wants that! Luckily, there is a way to save yourself from such sores.

That’s right, some multiple methods and techniques will allow you to stretch out and brink in your boots so that they fit comfortably and without irritation to your foot. 

Cowboy boots are made to stretch so that they will eventually perfectly fit the wearer of the shoe. But how do they stretch? Most boots are made with cowhide leather, or some even with alligator or snake skins.

These organic materials can be stretched, so don’t worry if your boots are hurting right now – they won’t be after you try out the following methods!

Method 1: Extra Socks 

This method is 100% free (providing you have more than one pair of socks, of course) and easy to do. All you are going to need are multiple pairs of thick socks, your boots, and your feet. Simply layer at least two pairs of socks and slide your feet into the shoe.

Unfortunately, this may be a rather uncomfortable process, as it will feel a lot tighter before the boots stretch out. This method is great for stretching the boots in both width and length, so be sure to give it a go.

You’ll need to wear extra socks for more than just one occasion to stretch them out fully, but eventually, they can stretch up to a whole half size! The pressure from your feet covered in the socks forces the shoe to expand and thus makes room for your feet in the long run.

Another top tip when using this method is to wear the socks at the warmest part of the day, so the leather is more soft and pliable. This will help to stretch them out faster so that you can wear double socks for less time. 

Pros:
Free To Do
Simple and Easy
Cons:
Painful
Can Take a Long Time

Method 2: Using Steam

This method can be harmful to leather, and cause it to crack and become damaged so proceed with caution if you choose to try out this method.

What you are going to need to do is use a garment steamer (or if you don’t have one you could use the steam from a boiling kettle) and direct the steam into the boot in the area you wish to stretch out. Do this for around 20 seconds and ensure that the steam is hitting the exact spot you want it to.

Press this area with your fingers, and if it is still firm then steam for a further 10-15 seconds. You are going to want the area to feel soft and flexible. Once they feel this way, slip them on and walk around ideally until they have dried out. This will help it shape to the very specific of your feet.

If it gets too uncomfortable to do this, however, you can remove the boots once they have cooled and leave them to dry. Use a conditioning product that is suitable for the material of your boots and apply it to the area to prevent any damage.

Pros:
Achieves Custom Fit
Not Expensive
Cons:
Can Fade Color
Can Damage Leather

Method 3: Ice

When water is frozen and turns to ice, it expands. Which is exactly how this method will help to stretch your boot. It may sound odd, but you just have to trust the process with this one. The idea is that the water in your shoe will freeze and expand thus stretching the leather and expanding your shoe.

What you are going to want to do is fill a sealable plastic bag around halfway – the bag should be able to hold about a gallon of water. When sealing the bag, you want to ensure to avoid letting in any air. You should also turn the bag upside down just to check that there is no water leakage.

Take the bag of water and insert it into your boot, as close to the tip of the toe as possible. You can then scrunch up newspaper or old socks and stuff them into the heel of the boot to ensure that the water bag will stay in place.

Once you have this all set up, put the shoe into your freezer for at least 8 hours.

This is when the magic happens and your boots will stretch! Thaw the ice before removing the bag. This is the perfect technique that will help you avoid any blistering or calluses on your feet!

Pros:
Inexpensive
Simple Method
Not Invasive
Cons:
Boots May Not Fit In Your Freezer

Method 4: Boot Stretcher

This is probably the most obvious way to stretch your cowboy boots, however, that doesn’t mean it is the best way.

You have to buy a boot stretcher for a start! It is, though, a very easy and fast way to stretch your boots, and you don’t even have to do anything! This is a good method if you own a lot of cowboy boots and it is worth the investment in buying the stretcher.

To stretch your boots with this tool, first, apply shoe stretch spray to the inside material of the boot. This helps to soften the material so that it is more malleable and easier to stretch.

Insert the toe-block into the boot and make sure it has been pushed far enough into the shoe that it touches the end of the toe box.

Turn the handle of the boot stretcher multiple times to increase the width of the boot, then set it aside for around 6 to 8 hours. Simply remove the shoe stretcher by retracting the widening handle and gently lifting the product out of the boot.

Pros:
Fast Way To Stretch Boots
Non-intrusive
Cons:
Expensive Product To Invest In

Method 5: Water Submersion

The last method we will cover today is the water submersion method. This method is when you submerge your boots into a bath of lukewarm water. Make sure they are as deep in the water as they can go without the boots filling with water and getting wet.

Then, use your hands and press down on the insoles so that they do not float. It is time to take the boots out once you feel that the insole has become slightly damp. Put on a pair of socks and wear the cowboy boots until they are dry. This will help the fabric to stretch to the fit of your foot.

Pros:
Inexpensive
Easy To Do
Cons:
Could Damage Leather
Could Fade Leather

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, within these methods, you have found the most suitable way for you to stretch your brand new cowboy boots! No more blisters or pain, your shoes will fit you perfectly every time! Happy stretching!