Down Time

Cowboys and their horses perform demanding, tiring work, on a constant daily basis, for many long hours in inclement weather conditions. When a cowboy’s work calls for him to get off his horse to mend fence, feed livestock, repair water tanks or feeders, or help at the fire when branding calves, he often puts hobbles (loose restraints around the lower legs) on his horse and ties up the reins to keep them from being stepped on. This allows the horse to graze near him without running away, rest, take a break from the day’s work and enjoying some down time.