Design on Cowboy boot
Cowboy Boot Design
The design of cowboy boots are conducive to the ease of inserting the
feet into the stirrups of the Western saddle. This is due to the leather
sole of the boot which is slick and without tread.
Today's style of the cowboys exemplifies a sharply pointed toe, which
started appearing in the 1940's. However, the original cowboy boots had
a rounded toe. The ideal toe shape, in terms of riding horses, would
actually be a slightly pointed toe that contributes to easing the boots
into the stirrups. The extremely pointed toe, as seen on some of the
more fashionable cowboy boots, is neither comfortable nor practical.
The cowboy boots have been made with a tall heel which helps to prevent
the foot from sliding through the stirrup. An incident of that nature
could be quite harmful because if a rider happened to be unseated, he
could be seriously injured. A cowboy's body weight could actually save
him from harm since his body weight would force his foot out of the boot
if the boot remained stuck in the stirrup. This incident indicates that
the importance of the tall shaft and comfortable loose fit of a boot
would be beneficial to avoid serious injuries to the cowboy.
The slick sole of a cowboy boot can effortlessly come free of the
stirrup while the cowboy is dismounting. When riding, the tall shaft of
the boot protects the leg from saddle rubbing and abrasive natural
elements such as brush and thorns. Upon dismounting, the shaft protects
the legs and feet from rocks, bush, thorns and snakes.
The high tops of the boots are useful when a rider is crossing a creek
or other waterbed as they help to prevent the boot from filling up with
water and mud.
The use of decoration on cowboy boots differs a great deal. Plain
leather was the norm on the early boots, whereas, today the decor has
become quite intricate on some of the cowboy boots. Decorative
stitching, cutouts (such as stars) and a wide variety of materials are
used frequently today. In addition, cowboy boots can be purchased in a
variety of colors and animal skins. You can certainly make a fashion
statement with your cowboy boots today.
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