Horseman’s Hints

Revisit classic how-to illustrations from one of Western Horseman’s most trusted early contributors. 

This year, Western Horseman revisits a classic. A decade after these sketches were last published, we’re bringing back selections from one of the magazine’s most useful and well-loved works. First introduced in 1953 by horseman and illustrator Randy Steffen, the original column featured practical tips and techniques that helped readers save time, solve problems and work smarter around the saddle.

SHORT LEGS

Short legs and tall horses make a poor combination for climbing into the saddle. This method of looping the reins over the saddle horn allows the rider to take up the reins enough to maintain control of his horse before mounting, but also allows him to give himself a real boost without pulling on the horse’s mouth. I think this is an idea many young riders will be able to put to good use.

BLEACH

The top part of a plastic bleach bottle makes a real handy funnel around the ranch. Use a sharp knife to cut it off about as shown, remove the cap, and it’s ready to use.

POPCORN

Here’s a great idea for protecting fragile items that must be packed in saddle bags or pack panniers for transportation on horseback. Popcorn can be used to ensure the safe arrival of any hard-to-pack items such as vaccine bottles, eggs and even light bulbs.

HORSE MARKINGS

The late Randy Steffen sketched these classic diagrams to help young riders learn to identify basic horse markings. They remain a simple, effective guide. According to Steffen, in addition to the above markings, most bay horses have black points; these so-called points are black mane and tail, black legs from the knee or hock, or slightly above the knee or hock, down to the hoof. The exceptions to this are the bays that have socks, boots or stockings, and sometimes black muzzles and black areas around the eyes. A great many bays also have black tips on their ears.

THE SIMPLE SUBSTITUTE

This simple substitute will take the place of a running martingale. The drawing pretty much explains how it is rigged, with the addition of a piece of light rope or sash cord, tied as shown.

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This article was originally published in the February 2026 issue of Western Horseman.