Jose Ortez of Vaquero Brand, was one of my talented neighbors at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity in 2018.
He had a very large booth full of all kinds of handmade cowboy equipment. I was amazed at the variety of skills this man has and the large inventory of items!
2018_vaquero brand-0205Vaquero Brand Booth at the 2018 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity.
I watched him work while we talked, he was tying a knot for a key fob. He showed me how he started at each end, and created the X’s to start, then continued to fill it in. In this photo he is tying a “tire knot.”
2018_vaquero brand-0178Jose Ortez showing me how he ties a "tire knot."
Ortez has been widowed for many years and raised his daughter by himself since she was 11 years old. His home is a few miles out of San Diego, California where he has lived for 65 years.
I asked how long he has been working his trade, he replied, “For 38 years now.”
Then I followed up with asking, “Who taught you how to create all of this?!” He said, “My grandfather, Isdoro Ortez, taught me. He first taught me how to tie knots, then how to create the Mecate. And eventually rawhide and braiding rawhide Bosels and reins.”
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He added, “It takes me about 3 years to truly learn how to tie a new knot.”
With all the inventory I was curious and asked, “Where do you get the hides to make all of this gear?” He replied, “Local butchers.”
His Mecates come in any size his customer requests. They are made from horse hair (mane, tail), Angora and Mohair.
The Bosels are varied in choice sizes; 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, and 3/4”.
In addition to them he makes the necessities to go with them; hangers and bridles to put them on.
Jose had a variety of leather and braided products from bridles to spur straps to rawhide rowel reins and even hand tied cinches.
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If you would like to order your custom gear, Jose is old school, you will have to give him a phone call: 619-972-2312. Or, you can visit with him like I have at one of his booths at varied events. Look for his Vaquero Brand sign, better yet, just look for the booth with thousands of pieces of cowboy (art) equipment!
Added: I also saw Mr. Ortez at the Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale in California. If you ever make it to either of these events, you should look him up!
Next Week: Lorri Myler with Gypsy Cowgirl Art - NV