latigo

From Spanish látigo (“whip”), from Catalan or Portuguese látego (“whip”), probably from Gothic *𐌻𐌰𐌹𐍄𐍄𐌿𐌲 (*laittug), cognate with Old English lāttēh.

• IPA^(key): /ˈlætɪɡəʊ/

latigo (plural latigos or latigoes)

1. A strap used to tighten a cinch.
   • 1989, Hal Borland, When the Legends Die, 2011, unnumbered page,

     He looked at the saddle and saw that both latigos, the straps that held the cinches, were broken. Both were old latigos instead of the good new ones that had been on the saddle the day before, and both had been cut halfway through with a knife.

   • 1994, Cormac McCarthy, The Crossing,

     Then they tightened the latigos on their horses and mounted up.

   • 1999 [1938], Victor M. Linoff (editor), Saddle and Western Gear Catalog, 1938, page 41,

     These prices are for saddle with single cinch and two latigoes.

   • 2008, Linda Aksomitis, Longhorns and Outlaws, page 21,

     "How am I supposed to learn if you aren't clear?"

     "Watch. These metal rings beside the saddle tree are the rigging rings. These long leather straps hanging on 'em are the latigoes. Leave the off-side latigo done up and use the near-side strap."

   • 2013, Gincy Self Bucklin, The Gentle Art of Horseback Riding, page 142,

     Cinches fasten with a latigo strap that is already attached to the saddle, using a special flat knot. Make sure the strap has no twists in it, then insert it through the cinch ring from inside to outside (figure 13.4a).

   • 2013, Cynthia McFarland, The Horseman's Guide to Tack and Equipment: Form, Fit and Function, page 69,

     A double-roller functions like a pulley system in that the latigo runs through the top roller and then down and through a bottom roller. […] Most riders today use latigos on the left side to tighten the cinch and off-billets on the right, but some horsemen still prefer to use latigos on both sides.

• aligot, galiot

From Spanish látigo

latigo

1. whip