One common sight on many fences that surround horse ranches in rural Colorado is a weathered cowboy boot perched atop a fence post. The purpose of putting boots on fence posts might be just a rural fashion statement, but more often it carries a deeper meaning that stretches across traditions, practicality and even superstition. There’s a lot of speculation about what’s behind the practice. Some say the boot is a tribute to a ranch hand, family member, or beloved horse who passed away — a silent memorial or a nod of respect to those who once worked the land. Other says ranchers simply retire their favorite boots by placing them on a fence post, while there are those who say the boot is actually marking territory, signaling ownership or boundary lines on expansive properties where fences stretch. Then there are the simpler explanations, including the boots being a good luck charm to protect the ranch, or sometimes a boot on a fence post is just a boot on a fence post. While all these theories can be true, the real reason for the boot on a fence post is simply a matter of waste. Ranchers get pretty attached to their boots, and at several thousands of dollars a pair, they don’t want to just throw them in the trash when they wear out, so they stick them on a fence post as a way to keep them out of a landfill. If you happen to spot a boot on a fence post, don’t touch it. They often hold sentimental value or serve a practical function and are a part of not only that ranch’s story but the entire community.
