I frequently see movie cowboys pulling another horse, mule or other pack animal by holding a rope tied to their saddle horn. Is that accurate? Jay Crane Phoenix, Arizona Yes, cowboys often brought along a second horse to carry gear or serve as a backup mount. Even today’s riders might tie the rope to the saddle to lead their pack animals. In that case, though, you better have a quick escape route, just in case the second horse goes around a tree or rock or other impediment. You’ll

July 2010
In This Issue:
Features
Western Books & Movies
More In This Issue
- Wichita Whore War
- Crossed Sabres
- Why does Virgil Earp get so little credit as an Old West lawman?
- Are tumbleweeds not native to America?
- What did a cowboy do with his rifle when it was illegal to carry them into towns?
- Did cowboys really pull pack animals by holding a rope tied to their saddle horn?
- When did belt loops become common?
- How did the Mountain Men cook beaver tails?
- Stay on Target When Collecting Gun Shots
- Dreams of Gold on the Starvation Trail
- Calgary’s “Exotic” Stampede
- Joe McNeill
- Bandera, Texas
- The Digital Frontier
- Ethnic Fare
- The Functional Side of Cowboy Boots
- What’s in His Head?
- The Best BBQ Joints in Texas