In the “old days” cowboys wore cotton strips or handkerchiefs around their neck. Later “Wild Rag” scarves became more popular. The most common ones are silk because they are light weight and wick moisture away while retaining warmth and blocking the wind. Most come in 36″ or 44″ squares but you can have custom sizes made.
It has many uses besides fashion! From Bob & Terri Beecher’s Out West Saddlery website: “It is often pulled over the nose and mouth to cut down the choking effects of trail dust. It is employed as a cover for a spooked horses eyes. Also used as a hobble, as a hat tie down in windy weather, as a washcloth and towel, as a bandage, tourniquet, napkin, water filter, pot holder, flag, and temporary repair for saddle or bridle.”
You start by folding two ends of the scarf in half so you have a triangle. You can wear one “John Wayne” style with most of it hanging down in front, wrap it around your neck and tie two ends in the front, or different combinations of the two. Many cowboys also use scarf slides in silver or rawhide to hold the ends together. And some people like the “buckaroo square knot”, a fancy four quarters type knot.
Not sure who wore the first ones but they are a great invention!
Here are two good places to find wild rags:
Out West Saddlery.
Cowboy Wild Rags.
(top photo is the Logan Bunch from Out West Saddlery, the couple are my friends David and Vickie Byrne)
If you have problems seeing the video below click HERE
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Hi Richard,
The Icelandic pony or small horse would be ideal for the kids. He is good tempered and a pleaser, if he is well trained.
Best
Einar