Wild-Rag Basics: How To Tie A Wild Rag - AQHA

Navigation

• Skip to Content

Wild-Rag Basics: How to Tie a Wild Rag

• About AQHA Overview
• Animal Welfare & Advocacy
• AQHA Disciplinary Actions
• Animal Welfare Disciplinary Actions
• Racing Disciplinary Actions
• History and Facts
• History of AQHA
• History of the Quarter Horse
• AQHA Mission Statement
• AQHA Facts
• AQHA Annual Reports
• Achievements
• Breeding
• 50-Year Breeders
• 75-Year Breeders
• Breeder Recognition Banquet
• Best Remuda Award Winners
• Ranching Heritage Breeders of the Year
• Horseback Riding
• Professionals
• Nutrena Don Burt AQHA Professional Horsemen of the Year
• Nutrena AQHA Professional Horsewomen of the Year
• Most Valuable Professionals
• Racing
• Ranching
• Best Remuda Award Winners
• Ranch Horse Stats: Previous Year
• Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals Champions
• Ranching Heritage Breeders of the Year
• Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse Awards
• Top Ranching Heritage Breeder Money-Earning Ranch
• Versatility Ranch Horse World Champions
• Showing
• AQHA Lifetime Achievements
• AQHA Year-End High-Point Award Winners
• For Year-End High-Point Winners
• AQHYA High-Point Awards Presentation
• Awards Celebration
• Current Year Leaders
• Level 3 World Champions
• Youth
• Select
• Amateur
• Open
• Versatility Ranch Horse
• Cowboy Mounted Shooting
• Level 2 Champions
• Youth
• Amateur
• Open
• Level 1 Champions
• West
• Central
• East
• Cattle
• Timed Events
• AQHA-PRCA Horses of the Year
• AQHA Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Champions
• Wrangler Women of Influence
• Directories
• Directories Overview
• AQHA Staff
• AQHA Executive Committee
• Past Presidents
• Directors
• Affiliates
• Resources for Affiliates
• Alliances
• Governance and Convention
• AQHA Convention
• AQHA Committee Reports
• Book Your Hotel
• Committees
• How AQHA is Governed
• Becoming an Elected Director
• Other Board Members
• Becoming an Executive Committee Member
• Standing Committees
• Future Dates
• Bylaws
• AQHA Suspensions
• Full Suspensions
• Additional Suspensions
• Reinstated Members
• Violation of Animal Welfare, Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Medication Rules
• AQHA Rulebook
• AQHA Fees
• AQHA Copyright and Privacy Information
• Policy
• AQHAPAC
• Careers
• AQHA News and Blogs
• At Your Service

• Home
• wild-rag basics: how to tie a wild rag

Wild-Rag Basics: How to Tie a Wild Rag

Wild-Rag Basics: How to Tie a Wild Rag

Wild rags not only make a statement but are important in cowboy culture. Simple knot, buckaroo knot, Windsor knot – try tying a wild rag with instructions.

(Credit: Maggie Bellville)

TWEET SHARE PIN text size

September 30, 2019 | News and Publications , Ranching , Ranching , Ranching | Ranching , Ranching , Ranching , Ranching , Ranching , Ranching , Merchandise and apparel , Culture and Lifestyle

Ranch fashion may sound like an oxymoron, but in fact, in cowboy culture, fashion is necessary. Everything a cowboy wears has a use, and everything he uses has some sort of element of fashion. One accessory nearly every cowboy owns is a wild rag, which is a square scarf, usually made from silk or a silk blend, worn around the neck.

The wild rag has probably always been a part of a cowboy’s attire, as several songs from the trail-driving era of the late 19th century reference a sentimental or favorite colored bandana.

Now, 150 years later, the wild rag still has its place on the ranch and serves many purposes.

• A wild rag provides warmth.
• Can be worn over the nose to keep from breathing in dust.
• Can be wet down and tied around the neck to keep cool.
• Used to wipe sweat and dust off in summer.
• Used as a bandage in an emergency.

It’s also a way to add individual style for working cowboys and ranch horse competitors alike.

1. Basic Square Knot

The easiest way to go, this the wild rag knot to get you started.

2. Windsor Knot

1. Fold the wild rag in half and, holding it by the tails, place it in front of your neck.
2. Cross the tails behind your neck and bring them to the front to tie.
3. Place one tail over the other.
4. Wrap the top tail around the bottom tail and pull it down straight in front.
5. Continue holding the top tail down straight. The bottom tail should be directly underneath it.

3. Buckaroo Knot

A more complicated type of knot is the square knot, so if you’re down for a challenge, then this tutorial will teach you how.

• Oct 28, 2025 | Ranching , Ranching , Showing Automatic Waters: Good For You, Your Horse, and Your Environment
• Aug 27, 2025 | Ranching Ranching , Ranching heritage breeders program AQHA Celebrates 85 Years of Ranching
• Nov 14, 2024 | Ranching , Ranching , Ranching heritage breeder of the year Ranching Awards
• Mar 07, 2024 | Ranching , Ranching , Ranching AQHA Names 2024 Best Remuda and International Best Remuda Winners
• Apr 20, 2023 | Ranching , Ranching , Ranching Creek Plantation Named 2023 AQHA Best Remuda
• Mar 24, 2022 | Ranching , Ranching , Ranching O RO Ranch Named 2022 AQHA Best Remuda

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Google+

X

Back to top × ×