Cyril Ruoso / Cowboy's legs wearing chaps over trousers to protect himself from the spiny desert, Vizcaino Desert, Baja California, Mexico, May 2008.

Shattil & Rozinski / Boot and traditional leather stirrups of Cowgirl riding Palomino horse (Equus caballus) Colorado, USA, North America. June 2009. Model released

Pete Oxford / Pantanal cowboys 'Boiadeiro' often decorate their clothing and horses and tack with pieces of metal. This cowboy has soda can tops on his chaps and an old watch strap secures his pistol in place. Mato...

Pete Oxford / Close up of the foot of a Pantanal 'Boiadeiro' cowboy, showing the traditional stirrup of the region. They wear hard-wearing leather chaps over jeans or even shorts. Pantanal. Mato Grosso do Sul Provi...

Pete Oxford / Close up of the foot of a Pantanal 'Boiadeiro' cowboy, showing the traditional stirrup of the region. They wear hard-wearing leather chaps over jeans or even shorts. Pantanal. Mato Grosso do Sul Provi...

Carol Walker / Close up of chaps and boot of cowboy, Sombrero Ranch, Craig, Colorado, USA Model released

Carol Walker / Detail of back of cowboy's saddle, jeans and chaps, Sombrero Ranch, Craig, Colorado, USA, model released

Pete Oxford / Leather chaps of Brazilian 'Vaquieros' cowboy, Caatinga, Piaui State, NE Brazil

Pete Oxford / Chaps made from Jaguar skin, worn by Chagras / cowboys, Andes, Ecuador

Pete Oxford / Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) fur and goat hair on chaps worn by Chagra cowboys at a hacienda during the annual overnight cattle round-up, Andes Mountains, Ecuador

Pete Oxford / Detail of a cowboy or chagra sitting on his horse showing his chaps made of Jaguar fur, boots and stirrup at Hacienda Yanahurco in the Andes Mountains during the annual cattle round-up, Ecuador