Here is the first book to cover all aspects of Native American equine tack/equipment as a single subject. It focuses on the equipment used by 19th century tribal men and women of North America. The dominant role of horses in these peoples' lives was reflected in the beautiful, practical, and artistic accoutrements made to decorate their prestigious and powerful animals. With informative text and over 200 beautiful color photos, readers will explore geographical locations and tribal characteristics, techniques, and materials used to create often beautiful horse gear. Equipment covered includes bridles, saddles, saddle blankets, saddlebags, breastcollars and cruppers, quirts, masks, and equine imagery in utilitarian objects. Cultural areas explored include the Plains, Prairie, Great Basin, Plateau, and the Southwest. Information essential to understanding variations in forms and decorative motifs amongst tribes, including trade relations and familiarization and varying geographical conditions, have also been discussed.

Bridle rosettesfunctional objects that stabilized the bridle headstall, beautifully decorated and often imbued with family, political, or social symbolsare roadmaps of America, spanning the last 200 years and reminding us of the major contribution of the horse to the development of the country. Over 10,000 different varieties were produced between c. 1850 and 1930. In over 800 vivid color photos many of these varieties are shown. Chapters explore glass and metal rosettes and related hardware, composition rosettes, and rosettes representing various organizations, businesses (advertising), and the military. Two later chapters present information and photographs of rosette pins, and contemporary (post-1960) and recycled rosettes. Historians, horse enthusiasts, collectors, and dealers alike will all treasure this book.

Eddy Hulbert (1898-1960) was an accomplished, self-taught blacksmith and silversmith whose output is highly sought after by today's collector of Western antiquaria. Known for his spurs, bits, belt buckles, and jewelry, his style is distinctive and bold, and his designs unique. Much of Hulbert's work was commissioned by local ranchers and families in the Dryhead, Montana area, where he made his home and left an indelible mark on silverwork from this interesting part of the country. In four chapters, Hulbert's work has been grouped according to the items that he designed, fashioned, and embellished: spurs, bits and bridles, belts and belt buckles, and jewelry. The last chapter introduces the work of two of Hulbert's contemporaries, Ed Klapmeier and C.E. O'Such, of Miles City, Montana. Rare photographs of individuals who were Hulbert's customers add to the local color and flavor of his time. This book is ideal for those interested in silversmithing and/or jewelry making, and for those admirers of America's Great West.

This one-of-a-kind resource covers the saddleries of Montana Territory and State over the period from approximately the 1860s through 1940. Learn about the fascinating societal impact of nearly 200 prominent and lesser-known saddleries, brought to life with 545 photos and 9 useful charts. These "horse hardware stores" designed, manufactured, and sold a myriad of practical and artistic equipment for cowboys, ranchers, farmers, miners, loggers, and every settler that ventured west of the Mississippi River. Saddleries' hard-working-and today, collector-quality-products ranged from saddles and chaps to cuffs and boots, from hats to horse grooming tools to trunks. Organized by date and eight different geographical areas of Montana, here are details, vintage documents, receipts, and photos of some of the most exciting and desirable Western collectibles known today (chaps, saddles, bridles, etc.), with emphasis on their maker's marks for valid reference.