If You See Cowboy Boots On A Fence Post In Colorado, It Means This
If you’ve ever driven through rural Colorado, you might have come across ranches or farms that have a pair of cowboy boots lying upside down on a fence post. Sometimes it’s both boots, and other times just one.
Residents who place cowboy boots on fence posts aren’t just decorating with a western theme in mind, there’s actually a meaning behind it.
According Classroom.comthere are actually several reasons why this can be done.
One explanation for a rancher who hangs a pair of boots on the fence is to honor his connection to a horse on his farm. Training a horse is not easy, and many breeders have a deep relationship with these animals after training them. If the horse is sold or dies later in life, a cowboy will often sacrifice a pair of boots at the fence to pay respect to their beloved equine.
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Another reason boots can be seen hanging from a fence is to honor an indentured laborer who worked on the farm. The idea stems from “a pair of boots for each hand”. Many ranchers invite workers to live with them on the property and help out in exchange for food, shelter, and a small stipend. Once the helper leaves the farm or sadly dies, the rancher will put boots on the fence in their memory. In this scenario, it’s usually a pair of the employee’s boots that are placed on the fence.
While it’s probably not the brightest idea these days, it used to be that boots on a fence meant the workday was over and the farmer was back home. When the shoes pointed to the ranch door, it symbolized that the rancher was home. If they were facing the other way, that meant the rancher was out. This was back when electricity and telephones didn’t exist, so it was an easy way to let visitors know when they could drop by.
The tradition of hanging boots has been passed down for generations. Cowboys have a special fondness for their boots, and once they get worn out they often end up on a fence post.
It is also common to see cowboy boots on fence posts in other parts of the country. The Western tradition has the same meaning from state to state.
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