About Old Cowdogs

Welcome!

We are pleased to introduce oldcowdogs.com - the ultimate source for the finest in art, fine books, and collectibles celebrating the horse culture of the Pacific Slope as well as a unique collection of classic saddle silver & Spanish ornamentation.

What is Old Cowdogs? It is a place where fine horsemanship, civility and competence are celebrated. In the days of the Dons back in the time of the Califorñios, horsemen worked to be the best they could be - a finished bridle horse was the image of their success. And that success was found in the quality of the work being done. Put simply - it was knowing the difference between "close" and "right."

During that brief period between the late 1700's and the early 1900's, horseman of the Pacific Slope region of the west coast lived in a horseback world that appears to be mostly gone. As Montana author William Kittredge so eloquently wrote "we lost our ancient proximity to animals. And the clouds past swiftly by without us."

But take heart.

There is a glow being fanned by people discovering again the intrinsic quality of fine horsemanship as practiced by the bridle horsemen of long ago, in growing numbers today.

It is an approach that relates as well to humans as well as horses. It is about taking the time it takes to be competent and skilled. It is a life filled with quiet successes of satisfaction achieved through honest work and humility.

The things you see here represent fine and important work by true Westerners. Westerners who lived - and live - respectful lives of stewardship towards the land, as well as celebrating fine horsemanship and all of its stock handling applications.

Our new and historic books, writings, fine art and collectibles are steeped in this life.

A few more things about us.

Clarity is something to cherish and we want your experience ordering saddle silver from Old Cowdogs to be the best. It is important, therefore, to be clear about the origins of the dies and tools that help create these exquisite pieces crafted by James Stegman. The dies and tooling that are used to strike these pieces in the drop hammer – and that is exactly what it is, in essence a big rock on a rope – were originally made for Irvine & Jachins and Acorn Manufacturing Companies and other lines owned by James’ family business, now called Comstock Heritage. Over the years, the company made pieces for major makers of the time - names such as Visalia, Heiser and Keyston to name but a few.

The collections shown here are considered by many horseman, collectors, and scholars to be classic of the genre. We have the ability to match lost conchos or create entire saddle silver sets should a customer need a set for a new parade saddle. As James and his wife Donna say, "If it’s made out silver, we can probably make it." That being said, our mission here at Old Cowdogs is not about creating antiques or replacements. We make and sell great saddle silver for people who ride horses. I’ll say it again; we are here for those who ride.

Our saddle silver is special as well as classic and is designed in the old ways, ways that are understood and appreciated by today’s horsemen and women. As described in old Keyston catalogs from the late thirties and forties:

"Silver saddle ornaments have been recognized as standard ornamentation for parade saddle since the days of the early Spaniards in California. Their fine horses and colorful regalia for both horse and rider were principally responsible for the romantic pages in the history of the early West. Silver and gold, hammered and shaped into decorative designs by native craftsmen, taught by the padres, is the basis and background or our saddle silver and ornamentation business today."

Welcome to Old Cowdogs. Grace endures.
Kristin Reynolds, Santa Ynez, CA