Chaps
(pronounced
'shaps',
and short
for
chaparajos)
are sturdy
leather
coverings
for the
legs. They
hang from
one's belt,
but unlike
trousers
they are
not joined
at the crotch.
The most
sturdy kind
are made
from single
pieces of
leather
that wrap
around to
protect
the fronts
and sides
of each
leg. Since
they need
not be joined
at the back
of the leg
they are
considerably
cooler than
one might
imagine.
Their purpose
is to protect
the legs
of cowboys
and other
people who
work with
cattle and
horses from
contact
with daily
environmental
hazards.
They help
to protect
riders from
the thorns
of cacti
and other
thorny vegetation
on the open
range, the
horns of
cattle being
herded or
rounded
up, and
other such
environmental
hazards.
They protect
the legs
of farriers
from getting
scratched
or cut up
in the process
of shoeing
or otherwise
treating
the hooves
of horses.
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