If there was a fall, the cowboy's foot never hung in the stirrup.

In the corral roping, afoot, his heels anchored him.

So he found his little boots not so unserviceable and retained them as a matter of pride.

Boots made for the cowboy trade sometimes had fancy tops of bright-colored leather.

The Lone Star of Texas was not infrequent in their ornamentation.
The curious pride of the horseman extended also to his gloves.