Totally Tack

I have always been fond of photographing making closeups of the equipment cowboys and cowgirls use. Their tack, as it is called, is the equipment they use with their horses. It includes such things as saddles, stirrups, bridles, ropes, reins, bits, and harnesses. And everyone’s tack is different than the others.

Because I am not a cowboy it is tough for me to know if the compliment of tack I see is only intended to be useful or practical, or if maybe it is by design and carefully selected to compliment the rider and his or her horse. Whatever the case, I find it interesting, and I think it helps tell the story of anyone who rides. I guess that’s why I enjoy photographing it. That, and I think, in its abstract, horse tack would make a very nice set of photos on a wall.