Never Touch A Cowboy Boot On A Fence. Here’s Why!

Never Touch A Cowboy Boot On A Fence. Here’s Why!

In country states, there’s a reason for a tradition where a boot is placed on a barbed wire fence. Now, this is not a mistake. Nobody has accidentally left a boot there. It was done on purpose. In fact, you should never dare touch these boots if you don’t want to offend anyone, especially the owner of the property.

Abandoned cowboy boots in places like Texas and Nebraska are a normal sight. You will find many cowboy boots adorning the posts of barbed wire fences. And there is a reason for this.

When talking about cowboy boots, one of the things that come to mind is Texas. But why are people leaving these perfectly wearable pairs on their fences?

According to the locals, these boots appear to be memorials on the roadside. It’s either for the cowboy or his horse. They may not be as pretty as flowers, but it’s the sentiment behind them that counts. Everyone knows that cowboy boots are a staple Texan item.

If you ask around, no one would be able to tell you when this practice ever started, or who started it. Some have jokes about it saying that they’re out there and in that manner “upside-down” because a cowboy’s “sole” can see where heaven is.

One of the most photographed areas where these cowboy boots adorn the barbed wire fences is Highway 49, just north of Placerville. This fence has quite a lot of boots. This though has a history.

It all started as a memorial for Patty Navarro’s son, David.

You see, David was a cowboy through and through. He was raised in the home of the cowboy, and he was “born with a pair of boots on,” according to his mother. Sadly, he died in a car accident at 23. He was so young with a bright future ahead of him. That is why his passing broke his father’s heart. His dad also died that day after from a heart attack.

David was just one of the many cowboys across the rural United States that are honored in this boot-adorned fence. And for this particular fence, David was the first cowboy to be commemorated here.

Aside from lost cowboys, these boots may also represent horses.

Some locals say that these boots on barbed-wire fences can be horse memorials too. Horses are beloved by many cultures for all the good reasons. And the passing of a trusted steed can hurt just like any death of a loved one. And we all know that cowboys won’t be complete without their horses. This means that the cowboy boots on these fences could also be to honor a horse that is no longer in this world.

And also, another explanation for these boots on the fences is that it is a way to let folks know that a cowboy isn’t home anymore.

We don’t really know which explanation is true, nonetheless, they are all very sentimental. Whatever it may be, it is best to respect them. If you happen to see one, don’t touch or even make fun of them. The boot that you are disrespecting may be a family’s way to honor a loved one who passed away. They could be a symbol of a friend, brother, son, or beloved horse for all to see.