Leather cowboy boots are hardy but sturdy, but they won't be able to take the use and abuse you put them through without a little help from you. Give your leather cowboy boots a longer lease on life with these tips.

1. Wipe off dust! No matter what color your boots are, it's still made of skin. It reacts to dust the same way your own skin does. Keep your footwear from creasing by wiping your boots often. Don't just shine your shoes often; dust them just as frequently. Dust acts like sandpaper; it cuts through the finish and ages your shoes faster than usual.

2. Wash off dirt! Before you brush your boots, remove any loose dirt or mud caking your footwear. You can do this without using special equipment – any soft cloth will do.

3. Apply quality conditioner! While your leather boots are still moist, slap some lather conditioner on them. Once the conditioner has dried, buff it with a soft cloth. Finally, apply boot cream and then buff.

4. Conditioner color matters! Always use a cream that's darker than the color of your boots by a shade or two. Leather fades over time – your choice of cream colors can help your favorite pair retain their original hue. Don't forget to keep your brushes separate, too. Use a separate brush for each polish color.

5. Go all the way to the sole! Most people forget to pay attention to their soles. Don't make the same mistake if your boots have a leather sole. Brush all the way to your footwear's sole line - this will restore moisture to the sole area and keep it from cracking.

Exotic leathers like alligator and lizard need more attention than most footwear, especially since they age faster, so be more vigilant with your footwear care if you have lizard and alligator for your boot material. With proper care and a little cleaning and conditioning here and there, you can make your leather cowboy boots last a long time.

The prime minister of Antigua and Barbadua, Baldwin Spencer, once said there will come a time when what is needed isn't just rhetoric but boots on the ground. That time has come - and in these difficult times, it's not just boots on the ground that people need; it's discount cowboy boots that are cheap yet sturdy. Where can you find them?

We recommend Boot City – It is a family run western store situated in Lubbock Texas. They have a huge selection of boots on sale and when you are ready to get your boots on the ground go to the western store rated “Best in The West” by NBC – Bootcity.com

People in the South West love their Cowboy Boots and they love their Alma-matter, Nocona combines the best of both worlds with their new boot collection and website CollegeBoots.com - The website show off new boots for Texas Tech, TCU and Oklahoma State. The boots are sure to be a big hit this Christmas.

 Nocona only sells the College Boots to authorized retailers. If You want to buy teh College Boots online you will have to visit Bootcity.com - All of the boots have the School Logo Stitched into the upper and the boots are all made in the USA.  Here are the links to buy the boots.  Oklahoma State University Boots ~ TCU Cowboy Boots ~ Texas Tech Cowboy Boots -

There’s never been a cooler way to show your school pride and crush that hated rival than a great pair of American made boots with your school logo from Nocona Boots. I will have to wait for my school to have their own boots.

 These boots were recently featured in Frisco Tx Newspapper Real Frisco

Outside of boots and western wear there are things us country people have in common; three of them are patriotism, barbecue and firearms. This t-shirt I found today covers two out of the three, and if you mix in a little bbq while your wearing the shirt we have all of our bases covered. This shirt is a second amendment t-shirt with the phrase Tyranny Insurance and 2nd amendment clearly printed on the back.

Second Amendment Shirt from Conservative Gear

This shirt is from our friends at conservative gear they make conservative t-shirts in Frisco, Texas and typically do while packing a pistol and wearing a pair of Justin Roper boots.

The second amendment is key to protecting the American Way and the West would not be the West without it. we hope you will visit their website and buy a shirt.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Serratelli Hat Company is carrying the latest 2009 Brad Paisley Felt Hat Collection.
A new felt was added in 2009 to the Brad Paisley Collection called the “Celebrity”.
This is a nice quality 4X black felt hat with a 4 3/8” crown and 4” brim. The “Celebrity” has a matching black hat band with a silver buckle set. The inside liner of the “Celebrity” has the Brad Paisley signature!

The “Celebrity” is also made in the popular 4.5” brim which will be stocked at Westernhats.com in September. Get your Brad Paisley Celebrity Hat at Western Hats

If you would like the Brad Paisley look, Westernhats.com can shape the “Celebrity” to give you that Brad Paisley look. Right now Westernhats.com is running a pre-order special on the “Celebrity”. Pre-order the “Celebrity” through August 31, 2009 and receive $5.00 off the already great price and a hat cleaning sponge to keep your new Braid Paisley felt hat clean.

We are hearing rumors that Justin Boots in launching a new line of boots. -

below is a note I received from the PR firm that represents Justin Boots-

--note from Justin starts here ---

We are preparing to launch a brand new line of boots in connection with several top alternative country bands and artists. I'd love to work together to offer your readers breaking news from the Justin brand if you are interested.

-- end note --

We will let you know when we get more information.

Until then we will just keep wearing our old Justins

I like to buy made in the USA whenever possible. It is getting tougher and tougher to do. Even cowboy boots, the true American Footwear is now made almost everywhere but here in the USA.

If you, like me, like to buy your boots with a Made in America label then you should visit Boot City. They have flagged every boot they carry to show an American Flag if it is made here in America.

Here Are some Quick links to help you find Boots Made in country.

Men's Boot Made in USA - Men's Work Boots Made in USA - Ladies Boots Made in USA

The Justin Lacers above are a good example of boots made in the USA. I wear them when ever I have work to do outside. Great Craftsmanship and a great product.

If you live a western lifestyle, then you like horses and horse jewelry, in that vain we would like to tell you about a great little collection of horse jewelry that you can find at zulumoon.com -

Zulu Moon specializes in sterling silver jewelry, and they group their jewelry by collections and one of the collections is about horses. They have hand made horse jewelry from Taxco Mexico and they also have horse bracelets, horse earrings, horse necklaces and horse pendants. If you are looking for a special gift for you favorite little equestrian lover then you should visit our friends at zulumoon.com.

The horse ring shown below has a flowing mane and very intricate detail and a majestic look

This fantastic horse pendant below has fine inlay blue opal and is made of sterlins silver with a great bail that is large enough for most chains.

This is from the Justin Website - we support this effort and we thought we would give it a little plug here so our readers could know about this effort ---

-- Justin Boot Company Content starts here ---- 

Rodeo is truly a dangerous business. In fact, it is considered America's original extreme sport. With each ride, the rodeo athlete risks losing more than just the next opportunity to compete and win. He or she can also lose the ability to meet the mortgage payments or the ability to feed and care for his or her family. With no guaranteed salaries or injured reserve provisions in the sport, these professional athletes are often left with no place else to turn when faced with serious, sidelining injuries and the accompanying financial hardship.

Recognizing that serious injuries can be traumatic enough in themselves, without the additional burden of financial worries, the Justin Boot Company formed a partnership with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) in 1989 to establish the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund (JCCF). The JCCF was formed on the premise of lending a helping hand to professional rodeo athletes and their families in the event of catastrophic injuries. Thus, filling the void created by financial hardships when the inevitable serious injury interfered with the careers of those who have dedicated their lives to the sport.

By May of 2006, the JCCF's running total of disbursements surpassed a whopping $4 million in financial assistance to more than 600 individuals and their families. Assistance awards are based on the severity of injury, number of dependents and the applicant's financial situation. The Fund also takes into consideration the individual's involvement in and/or contribution to the sport of professional rodeo.

Unique among today's numerous charitable organizations, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund stands apart from the rest by dedicating 100% (+) of all contributions received for disbursement to eligible applicants. This uncommon trait for a charitable organization is made possible by the joint commitment of the Justin Boot Company and the PRCA to underwrite all administrative costs associated with managing the JCCF, leaving all monies received through contributions (as well as investment earnings) to serve their intended purpose.

Top Montana contestant Chuck Simonson was among the first JCCF recipients. The former National Finals Rodeo qualifier in both bull riding and bareback riding has received assistance since a 1989 bull riding wreck in Caldwell, Idaho, left him paralyzed from the waist down. The JCCF has helped Simonson help himself by providing a specially equipped truck with full hand controls and having a custom saddle made for him. Additionally, the JCCF helped in literally getting Simonson back on his feet by providing a set of leg braces that enables him to occasionally leave his wheelchair behind as he tends to his fledgling bucking horse business. Currently, the JCCF is assisting Simonson in pursuing a computer education program.

"The Fund focuses on those individuals who make professional rodeo their career and who dedicate their life to it," said Tom Feller, Director, Event Marketing for Justin Brands and PRCA Board of Directors member " That includes contestants, announcers, clowns, bullfighters, judges and specialty act performers. Generally speaking, recipients receive monthly living expense stipends to keep life as stable as possible during their recovery period, which helps defer any loss of assets or other financial troubles."

Of course, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund does not limit assistance to just PRCA and WPRA members. In addition to helping PRCA and WPRA members, including several past world champions, the JCCF has provided assistance to professional rodeo athletes from a number of other associations. As you might expect, this includes a host of Professional Bull Riders (PBR) contestants, since bull riding is the most dangerous of all rodeo events. In fact, bull riders have been the recipient of some 65% of the millions of dollars in assistance awarded to date.

Individual contributions make up the bulk of the donations received by the JCCF, according to Feller. PRCA rodeo committees also make a significant impact with either direct contributions or monies donated from fund raising activities such as cowboy golf tournaments or celebrity events. Through its annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Style Show an Luncheon, the Pro Rodeo League of Women makes annual contributions which total over $750,000 to date

For additional information on the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, please call 888/662-JCCF (5223), or you can e-mail the Fund at jccfinfo@prorodeo.com.

Tax deductible contributions to the Fund may be made by downloading the donation form here or by mailing a check or money order to the following address:

Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund
attn: Cindy Schonholtz
101 Pro Rodeo Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
888/662-JCCF (5223)

JCCF Board of Directors:
Don Andrews, Justin Sportsmedicine Team
Charlie Daniels, Recording Artist
Jymmmy Kay Davis, President, WPRA
Troy Ellerman, Commissioner, PRCA
Dr. Pat J. Evans, Justin Sportmedicine Team
Tom Feller, Director, Event Marketing, Justin Brands
Walt Garrison, Former Dallas Cowboy
Bryan McDonald, PRCA Bullriding Representative
Nolan Ryan, Baseball Hall of Famer
Randy Watson, President & CEO, Justin Brands