A cowboy never has too many reins or headstalls. Between all the bits and all the horses, they always need more, especially good ones. Cowboy work isn't the best-paying work either, so high-quality gear as a gift is always welcome. I build tack and leather goods in my shop in Eminence, Indiana, and I've spent most of my life around people who ride for a living. These are the gifts for cowboys and ranchers I'd point you to, grouped by the kind of cowboy you're shopping for. Order by December 15 for Christmas delivery with standard U.S. shipping. If you want help picking, call or text me at 317-517-3477.
Gifts for cowboys and ranchers: the quick list
| Gift | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Watt Heel Buckle | $15 | A quick belt upgrade |
| Leather Hammer Holder | $25 | The fence and barn fixer |
| Mini Tuck Wallet | $40 | Front-pocket carry |
| Tucker Wallet | $45 | The man who carries everything |
| Fixed Blade Knife Sheath | $45 | Every rancher with a knife |
| Pocket Knife Sheath | $45 | The Case Trapper man |
| Premium Leather Care Kit | $49.95 | Saddle and boot owners |
| Latigo Cinch Strap | $55 | Any Western saddle |
| Casual Black Belt | $69.95 | Church, town and everything else |
| Harness Leather Split Reins | $75 to $97 | The ranch rider |
| Spur Straps | $78 to $95 | The cowboy who wears spurs |
| Harness Leather Hobbles | $95 | Pack trips and long days out |
| Classic Western Leather Belt | $97 | The everyday belt |
| Headstalls | $99 and up | The man with more horses than bridles |
| Full-Grain Leather Dopp Kit | $125 | The rodeo road |
| Hideout Suede Belt | $129.95 | A belt for going out |
| Elite Series Black Diamond Belt | $225 | The one big gift |
What do you buy a cowboy who has everything?
A better version of something he already uses hard. Most cowboys don't want more stuff. They want the belt, the wallet or the strap they keep wearing out to quit wearing out. That's the test for every gift on this list. Each one is something he'll reach for in a normal week.
The thing I wish every customer knew is that leather built from the very best materials, with the best craftsmanship, should last forever. It costs a little more up front, but it's cheaper in the long run. If you want to know what separates good leather from cheap, I wrote a plain guide to the types of leather.
For the working ranch hand
Leather knife sheaths, $45
I met Zach from Rafter P Knives in Oklahoma when we were both set up at a show. Zach builds amazing knives, and he was making his own sheaths, but he told me he's not a leather worker and he wants to build knives. So I offered to build them. Now I build all of the leather sheaths for Rafter P, and I carry them on my website for anyone to buy.
The fixed blade sheath is heavy full-grain leather, stitched all the way around, with two belt slots so it rides flat. It comes in small or large and in light or dark leather, and it's sized by blade, not brand. If he carries a folder, the pocket knife sheath fits a Case Trapper. Both leave my bench tight on purpose, and the leather forms to the knife after a few days of carry.
The sheath I build for Rafter P Knives. Small or large, light or dark.
Latigo cinch strap, $55
The latigo is the strap that holds his saddle on. Latigos wear where they hook on the saddle's metal D-ring and rub as the horse moves. I've seen them break, and it always goes bad. The saddle moves, falls off, slips under the belly or pulls off while roping. My latigo is 12 oz dark oil latigo leather, 1.75" wide and 6 feet long, with the lace included. It comes oiled, conditioned and buffed, ready to use out of the box. If you want to check his before you buy, here's when to replace a latigo.
Harness leather hobbles, $95
For the cowboy who packs in or works where there's nothing to tie to. My hobbles are two layers of harness leather stitched together, with a stainless steel cart buckle and O-rings. Nine adjustment holes cover ponies up to large horses.
Hammer holder and tape measure holder, $25 each
Ranching is half riding and half fixing things. The hammer holder is full-grain leather with heavy rivets and fits claw and framing hammers. The tape measure holder takes most 25-foot tapes. Both go on a work belt he already owns or one of my tool belts.
Premium Leather Care Kit, $49.95
The care kit has Skidmore's leather cream, Fiebing's glycerine soap, two sponges and a buffing cloth. It's what you need for the routine in how to clean and condition leather.
For the cowboy who rides every day
Reins and headstalls
This is where I'd start. My dark oil split reins ($75) are single-ply harness leather with water loop tie ends, and both reins in a set are cut side by side from the same side of leather so they drape and break in the same. They come in 1/2" or 5/8". If he moves reins from bridle to bridle, the split reins with buckle ends ($97) make that easy. My guide on how to choose Western reins covers length, width and feel.
For headstalls, the dark oil sliding one ear ($99) and the browband headstall ($115) are both 3/4" bridle leather, doubled and stitched. If he has a barn full of horses, the Trainer Special one ear is $99. Every horse is different, so if you know he's riding something smaller or bigger than average, call me and I'll help with fit.
A matched pair cut from the same side of leather.
Spur straps, $78 to $95
I build three spur straps. The Cowboy ($95) is chocolate Hermann Oak harness leather with a black steel buckle with silver scrollwork. The Buckaroo ($78) is chocolate Wickett & Craig harness leather with a Jeremiah Watt buckle. The Dove Wing ($78) is chocolate Hermann Oak harness leather with a brown iron buckle. They all do the same job; the difference is the look, so it comes down to what he likes. All three are oil-dipped and come in men's and women's/kids sizes, sold as a matched pair.
Classic Western Leather Belt, $97
The Classic is 1.5" of plain brown leather, finished by hand, stamped with my mark and sold with a buckle on it. I use Chicago screws on my belts because they hold the buckle best. Snaps are more convenient, but I haven't found a snap that lasts as long as the leather in the belt. With Chicago screws he can still change buckles whenever he wants. Here's how to change a belt buckle. If he's got trophy buckles in a drawer, a buckle hanger ($50 to $105) puts them on the wall.
For the cowboy who dresses up for town
Casual Black Belt, $69.95
Every man needs one black belt. The Casual Black Belt is 1.5" wide, single-ply, finished by hand, with an antique silver buckle and a black leather keeper included. Sizes run 28 to 48.
Hideout Suede Belt, $129.95
The Hideout is a full-grain leather strap with a suede face, sewn the full length in white thread, with a Jeremiah Watt antique silver heel buckle included. Black goes with everything, and English Toast is a warm tan. Sizes run 26 to 42.
Black suede, white stitching, Jeremiah Watt buckle included.
Tucker Wallet, $45, or Mini Tuck, $40
The Tucker is a full-grain leather flap wallet that holds up to 12 cards and cash. The Mini Tuck holds 6 to 8 cards. Both are handmade in my shop, and there's no size to get wrong.
Full-Grain Leather Dopp Kit, $125
For the cowboy who's gone a lot to rodeos, sales or hunting camp. My dopp kit is 11" long, 6" wide and 5.5" tall with a zipper across the top.
Elite Series Black Diamond Belt, $225
The big gift. The Elite Series Black Diamond is two full layers of Hermann Oak saddle skirting, hand-stamped, laminated, sewn the full length and hand-dyed. No belt I make takes more bench time. It ships without a buckle because most people who buy it run their own trophy buckle. If he needs one, add a Jeremiah Watt heel buckle. Sizes are limited, so check the listing for his. Here's why two layers of leather beat one.
Two layers of Hermann Oak saddle skirting, hand-stamped.
Stocking stuffers for cowboys
- Cowboy Duct Tape Bundle, $10: a bag of leather lace and strap pieces off my cutting table, for the repairs that always come up.
- Hair on hide koozie, $10.
- Jeremiah Watt stainless heel buckle, $15, fits a 1.5" belt. The matching keeper is $12.
- Stirrup hobbles, $16.50: they keep the stirrup where it belongs and the fender down tight.
- Over N Under whip, $30: the short one (31") goes on the wrist and the long one (54") hooks on the horn.
How to buy a belt without asking his size
My double-ply belts run bigger than people expect. They're thicker, so it takes more leather to go around the same waist. As a rule, take his pant size and add 4 inches. Size 34 jeans means a size 38 belt. The Casual Black is single-ply, so for that one, call or text me and I'll help you pick a size.
You can also measure a belt he already wears, from the fold at the buckle to the hole he uses. If that's a thin store-bought belt, add 2 inches. How to measure belt size shows where to put the tape. If you still miss, a new, unworn belt can be exchanged for another size with no time limit. You just pay shipping both ways.
Shopping for the riders in the family too? My list of gifts for horse lovers is sorted by budget, and here are my gifts for cowgirls.
Shipping and my lifetime warranty
Most orders ship within 24 hours. Every now and then it takes 2 to 3 business days, and very rarely up to 4 to 5. Free U.S. shipping on orders of $99 or more. Everything I make has a lifetime warranty. It covers anything that breaks or fails in normal use. Parts that wear with use, like latigos and off billets, aren't covered once they've worn out. If it can be repaired, I'll repair it. If it can't, I'll replace it, at no charge. The lifetime warranty covers the original owner, whether you bought it yourself or received it as a gift. Details are on the warranty and leather care page.
Frequently asked questions
What should I get a cowboy for Christmas?
Something he'll use every day. Reins and headstalls are always welcome, because a cowboy with a lot of horses and bits always needs more. A leather belt, wallet, knife sheath, spur straps or a new latigo are all good picks too.
What do you get a rancher for Christmas?
Gear for ranch work: a knife sheath, a latigo cinch strap, harness leather hobbles, a hammer holder or a leather care kit for his saddle and boots. If you aren't sure, a gift card lets him pick, or call or text me at 317-517-3477.
What's the difference between Cowboy and Buckaroo spur straps?
They do the same job; the difference is the look. The Cowboy is Hermann Oak harness leather with a black steel scroll buckle, and the Buckaroo is Wickett & Craig harness leather with a Jeremiah Watt buckle.
Will a cowboy gift get here by Christmas?
Yes, if you order by December 15 with standard U.S. shipping. Ordering later than that? The $25 expedited option at checkout ships USPS Priority Mail, or a gift card can go by email.
What if the belt doesn't fit?
A new, unworn belt can be exchanged for another size with no time limit; you pay shipping both ways. Other unused items can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Custom, engraved, personalized and made-to-order pieces and gift cards are final sale.
Tyler has been building Western tack for more than fifteen years, the last six of them full time, from the shop at his house in Eminence, Indiana. Growing up around some of the top professionals in the pleasure horse, barrel racing and racehorse worlds gave him the chance to ride high-quality horses in each of those disciplines, and years spent as a pickup man and riding ranch horses today are where most of his ideas for better tack come from. Every piece he builds is made in the USA and guaranteed for life.
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