How to Tie a Mustache Knot

February 4, 2016 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ Leave a Comment

I’ve mentioned in several places via Social Media, that I’ve been tying a mustache knot in my horse’s tails. Those of you that follow me on Instagram have seen them. And many of you have asked to see how to do them. I searched the internets high and low for a decent video showing you, so that I didn’t have to make my own, but alas, the internets failed me and I was unable to find one that made any sense or showed you exactly how it was done in a way that you’d be able to mimic it. Luckily, I’ve got some legit buckaroos in my corner, and I asked them to show me this summer, promptly forgot how it was done, and then I found a set of photos to remind me and now due to the fruits of my labor, you’re going to be able to recreate all my work in a few, simple, easy steps. Your horse’s tail will thank you for my labors, and if the tail doesn’t, you should! Why will your horse’s tail thank you, you may be thinking?

Because a mustache knot is practical. These knots were originally tied in tails by Spanish Conquistadors and then their traditions were handed down to Vaqueros (Buckaroos). These knots were used in the tails of war horses, to keep them out of the way. You’ll find them practical because it can keep ropes in the branding pen, mud, brush and other nonsense from getting tangled in their tails.

Also, it’s good to note, that traditionally the knot is tied before you saddle your horse, and it’s left there, until you horse is unsaddled and turned out for the evening.

There is one other knot I’ll be showing you how to tie, so stay tuned!

Happy Trails!

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.