The Palitué Ranch - With his horse and his rebenque (a broad leather whip), the Argentine gaucho is similar to the North American cowboy. At the end of spring, he separates the calves from their mothers in order to brand, dehorn and castrate them. (Neuquén Province, Patagonia) - 1976

Guardamonte - The landscapes in Northwest Argentina are more mountainous and the vegetation is harsher than in the pampas. To deal with prickles and thorns, the gaucho equips his horse with a double layer of rigid, resistant leather called guardamonte, which gives him the appearance of a medieval warrior. (Campo Alegre, Province of Salta).

Riding games in North and South America differ only slightly. In Argentina, contests are more strongly linked to everyday life and to Spanish riding games. In the jineteada, the rider attempts to tame a half-wild criollo horse armed with nothing but his rebenque, a whip ending in double leather straps that snap over the animal.

Criollos not yet broken in, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Estancia Do Tigre. - 1976

It took hours of patience and tireless attention to drive the young cattle into the corral of the Estancia of Palitué. - Province Neuquén. - 1973

It took hours of patience and tireless attention to drive the young cattle into the corral of the Estancia of Palitué. - Provinzce Neuquén - 1973

It takes a lot of patience and tireless attention to drive the young cattle out of the pampas into the corral of the Estancia of Palitué. - Province Neuquén - 1975

Troperos bring a herd intended for sale across the Alumine River in the Andean foothills. - Province Neuquén - 1973

In the province of Buenos Aires, the Troperos drive cows and calves to the Estancia La Mimosa. - 1975

In the province of Buenos Aires, the Troperos drive cows and calves to the Estancia La Mimosa. - 1973

Horse tamer at the Estancia Amancay, Chubut Province, Patagonia. - 1973

These gauchos are participating in a remate (auction) in Villa María, Córdoba. - 1973

Two gauchos from the province of Córdoba try to catch a foal. They have retained some traditional garments of their status. Despite the rapid development of the country, they are and remain the living symbol of Argentina. The gaucho spends most of his existence on the horse, which is his most loyal friend. Rough, brave and strong, the man of the pampas loves freedom above all else. - 1973

Gaucho Arnaldo in the evening light at Estancia Mimosa. (Entre Ríos Province). - 1973

On the estancia “La Margarita” at Lake Viedma, in the province of Santa Cruz, the gauchos set off for the sheep pastures. On horseback, they cover great distances across the steppes of Patagonia. - 1973

The gaucho spends most of his life on horseback. He watches over the huge herds of sheep in Patagonia. When he rests from his long journeys across the pampas, he devotes himself to handicrafts. He makes admirable leather whips and takes special care in the manufacture of his stirrups, which are an important part of the mount. The horse of Delphin Rodríguez, the farrier in the previous photo, has stirrups decorated with beautifully crafted wooden pieces. - 1973

Gauchos from the Palitué estancia (province of Neuquén) go to the corral (cattle park) where all the domestic animals on the estate are kept. They will carry out a strict selection of them. They dedicate themselves to this work whenever they are not called upon to carry out other tasks. But, in one case as in others, the gauchos always travel on horseback, which is their favourite means of transport, very rarely setting foot on land. They carry with them the accessories they need to do their work. - 1973

Cows from the Palitué estancia (province of Neuquén), which have just given birth to their young, are gathered in the corral. The gauchos will soon make their appearance in order to carry out work of the utmost importance. It is a matter of separating the heifers from their mothers, which is not without its difficulties. Then the cows are taken back by the gauchos to their respective pastures where they will eventually gain the necessary weight. To achieve this, they need to be perfectly quiet, hence the cruel necessity to take their offspring away from them. The pastures are chosen for the quality of their grass. Finally, the cows are sent by truck to the slaughterhouses and the meat is kept in the capital's refrigerators. These measures are justified by the fact that Argentines have a predominantly meat diet. But it should also be pointed out that the production and sale of meat abroad is one of the main economic activities of the Argentine nation. - 1973

The gaucho's task is both arduous and dangerous. It is the result of a long tradition which dates back to the beginning of the colonisation of the pampas. It requires skill, patience, endurance and a great deal of security of movement. These essential qualities are put to good use especially when sorting the animals inside the corral. The constant coming and going of the animals is not made to facilitate the movement of the gaucho. In addition, the dust that rises from the corral floor forms clouds in which people and animals seem to get lost. But the gaucho and his horse are one and the same, because they have been used to this kind of exercise for a long time. This agreement also exists between the different gauchos who work in an estancia. The daily task involves a lot of discipline on the part of the men. These conditions must be observed every time the animals are grouped together, taken to the pasture or sorted out. - 1973

From one province of Argentina to another, the gauchos dress somewhat differently. However, there are essential elements in their clothing and in the accessories they carry with them that can be found everywhere. The photo shows us, seen from behind, a gaucho from the province of Buenos Aires. Tirador or rastra are two words that designate the belt. The belt is often decorated with medals and old coins. The facón (knife), slipped into the belt, is made of chased silver. In other parts of the pampas, however, it is a common kitchen knife. - 1973

A gaucho from the Campo Alegre estancia approaches us. He crosses the grassy plain of the province of Salta. The lasso and the guardamontes are made of leather. These last pieces protect the rider's legs from the thorny bushes that grow in this desert region of Argentina. His red woollen poncho shows a black band that was added by the weavers as a sign of mourning at the death of the caudillo Martin Miguel de Güemes, a native of the province of Salta. The bolas are hardly used today because of the accidents they caused, but they are present in the gaucho's saddle. - 1973

June 17th is a big day in the city of Salta. A popular festival celebrates the memory of an almost legendary figure, the popular leader Martin Miguel de Güemes, who died in 1821. Thousands of gauchos parade through the streets of the provincial capital. - 1973

It took hours of patience and tireless attention to drive the young cattle into the corral of the Estancia of Palitué. - 1973

Alberto Biocca, president of the Grupo tradicionalista of Ayacucho in the province of Buenos Aires, is a master of the lasso. - 1976

It took hours of patience and tireless attention to drive the young cattle into the corral of the Estancia of Palitué. - Province Neuquén. - 1973

Night slowly descends on the estancia “La Mimosa” (Entre Ríos province). The moment has come to round up the cows that were separated from their calves a few months earlier. This segregation was done by the cattle farmers to ensure a quiet life for the cows on preferential pastures. The task is difficult, and many gauchos are involved. The same scenes take place on every estancia in the pampas. They show stages in a cycle of important work on which a large part of the national economy depends. - 1973

Hundreds of cattle have been brought by the gauchos from their pastures to the estancia. They are then loaded onto trucks bound for Liniers in Buenos Aires. Cows from almost all Argentine provinces can be seen at this assembly point. The herds pass in front of the experts in dense rows. You can recognise representatives of the Hereford, Shorthorn, Aberdeen Angus, Holando and Cruza breeds. An estimated 15 000 to 18 000 head of cattle are sold every day. - 1973

Separating the calves from their mothers. Tomorrow the «yerra» begins. Estancia de Palitué, Neuquén Province, Argentina. - 1975

It takes a lot of patience and tireless attention to drive the young cattle out of the pampas into the corral of the Estanzia of Palitué. - Province Neuquén. - 1975

Folk festival of the doma at the headquarters of the Palermo agricultural cooperative (Buenos Aires). On Saturdays and Sundays, gauchos from the province and nearby areas come to produce in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The doma is a kind of rodeo. The rider wants to stay in the saddle as long as possible. The horse is blindfolded until the moment it is released. It makes every effort to throw the rider off. - 1973

It took hours of patience and tireless attention to drive the young cattle into the corral of the Estancia of Palitué. - Province Neuquén. - 1975

Clear, bay or chestnut, Argentinian horses are generally of the "Criolla" breed, descendants of horses of Berber origin, which the first Spanish conquerors brought with them and which pushed into the wild in the vastness of the pampas. “Found” in Patagonia by Emilio Solanet, they are now raised as pure as possible on his Estancia EI Cardal. - Ayacucho, Province Buenos Aires - 1975

Clear, bay or chestnut, Argentinian horses are generally of the "Criolla" breed, descendants of horses of Berber origin, which the first Spanish conquerors brought with them and which pushed into the wild in the vastness of the pampas. “Found” in Patagonia by Emilio Solanet, they are now raised as pure as possible on his Estancia EI Cardal. - 1976

Clear, bay or chestnut, Argentinian horses are generally of the "Criolla" breed, descendants of horses of Berber origin, which the first Spanish conquerors brought with them and which pushed into the wild in the vastness of the pampas. “Found” in Patagonia by Emilio Solanet, they are now raised as pure as possible on his Estancia EI Cardal. - Estancia Do Tigre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - 1976

In Salta in northwest Argentina, the Spanish colonial style is still omnipresent, even though one of the decisive movements of the Argentine War of Liberation, the Gaucho Uprising, broke out here around 1810. Martin Miguel de Güemes, the leader of the rebellious gauchos, lives on in all hearts here, and the anniversary of his death (17 June 1821) sees all the gauchos of the surrounding area in red poncho (with the black ribbon of mourning), adventurously deformed sombrero and sweeping guardamontes. - 1973

Only a few of the huge single-axle vehicles that were used to conquer the expanses of the pampas little more than a century ago are still in working order today. - Near Chicligasta, Tucumán Province. - 1973

The troperos, who spent weeks driving the herds to the slaughterhouses on the coast, had to give way to more intensive cattle breeding, but every gaucho still knows how to master the lasso, even if today's methods no longer require it. - Estancia Do Tigre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - 1976

Every gaucho knows how to master the lasso, even if today's methods no longer require it. Incidentally, these traditional skills also determine the somewhat self-evident hierarchy on the estancias. - Estancia Palitué, Province Neuquén - 1975

Every gaucho knows how to master the lasso, even if today's methods no longer require it. Incidentally, these traditional skills also determine the somewhat self-evident hierarchy on the estancias. - Estancia Palitué, Neuquén. - 1975

Every gaucho knows how to master the lasso, even if today's methods no longer require it. Incidentally, these traditional skills also determine the somewhat self-evident hierarchy on the estancias. - Estancia Palitué, Province Neuquén. - 1975

Every gaucho knows how to master the lasso, even if today's methods no longer require it. Incidentally, these traditional skills also determine the somewhat self-evident hierarchy on the estancias. - Estancia Palitué, Province Neuquén - 1975

Every gaucho knows how to master the lasso, even if today's methods no longer require it. Incidentally, these traditional skills also determine the somewhat self-evident hierarchy on the estancias. - Estancia Palitué, Province Neuquén. - 1975

Every gaucho knows how to master the lasso, even if today's methods no longer require it. Incidentally, these traditional skills also determine the somewhat self-evident hierarchy on the estancias. - Ayacucho, Province Buenos Aires - 1976

Every gaucho knows how to master the lasso, even if today's methods no longer require it. Incidentally, these traditional skills also determine the somewhat self-evident hierarchy on the estancias. - Estancia El Dorado, Province Corrientes - 1976

No gaucho without a horse. He deserves his greatest attention, as a saddlecloth that is put on incorrectly can impair the endurance and willingness of your faithful companion. - Estancia Santa Ercilia, Palomas, Salto, Uruguay - 1975

The 20th century gaucho has settled down and usually returns to the estancia in the evening, even if his daily work still involves adventure and danger. - Estancia Palitué, Province Neuquén. - 1973

The boleadoras were the gaucho's first weapon with which he infallibly forced a bull to the ground within thirty yards. Although they are still part of the equipment today and maintain their place in custom, they have long since had to give way to the lasso and barbed wire and are hardly used for hunting either. - Estancia Palitué, Province Neuquén. - 1975

Except for the animals intended for breeding, all young stallions are castrated, as geldings are more tolerable, calmer and more persistent. The gauchos are only too happy to leave the painful operation to the vet, as they have a much closer relationship with horses than they do with cattle. - Estancia La Catalina, Ayacucho, Province Buenos Aires. - 1975

Except for the animals intended for breeding, all young stallions are castrated, as geldings are more tolerable, calmer and more persistent. The gauchos are only too happy to leave the painful operation to the vet, as they have a much closer relationship with horses than they do with cattle. - Estancia Amancay, Esquel, Province Chubut - 1973

Two gauchos on the way to their estancia in the Calafate region. The Andes mountain range in the background. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

A lonely gaucho on his way to his estancia El Zurdo on the border with Chile. - Between Río Gallegos and El Turbio, Santa Cruz Province - 1973

In southern Patagonia and especially on Tierra del Fuego and in southern Chile, the climate and vegetation only allow sheep farming. The flocks graze scattered over thousands of hectares of stony wasteland. They are only herded together for three occasions: Disinfection bath, shearing and slaughter. But then the ovejeros, the shepherd gauchos, are often on the move for days with their powerful dogs, keeping in touch with each other with high altitude fires and smoke signals. - Near Estancia Los Luises, Santa Cruz Province - 1973

On the map, the north of Tierra del Fuego is the natural continuation of the Argentine Patagonia. Here, too, the vast plains can be found, where thousands of domestic animals graze on the thin grasslands. Here, rainfall also increases, allowing lush vegetation to develop. - 1973

Mastering his horse in any situation brings the gaucho "glory and honour", and so he puts his skill to the test again and again in the most diverse games and competitions. The rules of these competitions vary depending on the region, and for the huasos, as the gauchos are called in Chile, style counts as much as the result. - Doma in Buenos Aires - 1973

In southern Patagonia and especially on Tierra del Fuego and in southern Chile, the climate and vegetation only allow sheep farming. The flocks graze scattered over thousands of hectares of stony wasteland. They are only herded together for three occasions: Disinfection bath, shearing and slaughter. But then the ovejeros, the shepherd gauchos, are often on the move for days with their powerful dogs, keeping in touch with each other with high altitude fires and smoke signals. - Torres del Paine NP, Chile - 1976

In southern Patagonia and especially on Tierra del Fuego and in southern Chile, the climate and vegetation only allow sheep farming. The flocks graze scattered over thousands of hectares of stony wasteland. They are only herded together for three occasions: Disinfection bath, shearing and slaughter. But then the ovejeros, the shepherd gauchos, are often on the move for days with their powerful dogs, keeping in touch with each other with high altitude fires and smoke signals. - 1976

Mastering his horse in any situation brings the gaucho "glory and honour", and so he puts his skill to the test again and again in the most diverse games and competitions. The rules of these competitions vary depending on the region, and for the huasos, as the gauchos are called in Chile, style counts as much as the result. - Rodeo in Osorno, Chile - 1975

Mastering his horse in any situation brings the gaucho "glory and honour", and so he puts his skill to the test again and again in the most diverse games and competitions. The rules of these competitions vary depending on the region, and for the huasos, as the gauchos are called in Chile, style counts as much as the result. Although the competition arena is reminiscent of the Spanish bullfighting arena, the aim here is only to manoeuvre the bovine against the board wall with the horse alone and "pin it down". The individual parts of the cow's body are divided into point values, with blocking the hindquarters earning the most. - 1975

Less formal, but even more daring, are the games in southern Brazil, at Bagé in the Rio Grande do Sul, when an unruly wildling is to be ridden in a kind of rodeo, after which the blindfold is removed. The performance is commented on by fellow competitors and onlookers in a way that is as detailed as it is knowledgeable. - 1976

Mastering his horse in any situation brings the gaucho "glory and honour", and so he puts his skill to the test again and again in the most diverse games and competitions. The rules of these competitions vary depending on the region, and for the huasos, as the gauchos are called in Chile, style counts as much as the result. Although the competition arena is reminiscent of the Spanish bullfighting arena, the aim here is only to manoeuvre the bovine against the board wall with the horse alone and "pin it down". The individual parts of the cow's body are divided into point values, with blocking the hindquarters earning the most.- Rodeo in Osorno, Chile - 1975

Less formal, but even more daring, are the games in southern Brazil, in the Rio Grande do Sul, when an unruly wildling is to be ridden in a kind of rodeo, after which the blindfold is removed. The performance is commented on by fellow competitors and onlookers in a way that is as detailed as it is knowledgeable. - Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasilien - 1976

Less formal, but even more daring, are the games in southern Brazil, at Bagé in the Rio Grande do Sul, when an unruly wildling is to be ridden in a kind of rodeo, after which the blindfold is removed. The performance is commented on by fellow competitors and onlookers in a way that is as detailed as it is knowledgeable. - 1976

Less formal, but even more daring, are the games in southern Brazil, in the Rio Grande do Sul, when an unruly wildling is to be ridden in a kind of rodeo, after which the blindfold is removed. The performance is commented on by fellow competitors and onlookers in a way that is as detailed as it is knowledgeable. - Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - 1976

Less formal, but even more daring, are the games in southern Brazil, in the Rio Grande do Sul, when an unruly wildling is to be ridden in a kind of rodeo, after which the blindfold is removed. The performance is commented on by fellow competitors and onlookers in a way that is as detailed as it is knowledgeable. - 1976

Less formal, but even more daring, are the games in southern Brazil, at Bagé in the Rio Grande do Sul, when an unruly wildling is to be ridden in a kind of rodeo, after which the blindfold is removed. The performance is commented on by fellow competitors and onlookers in a way that is as detailed as it is knowledgeable. Older gauchos prefer these wild fights to exercises in skill and accuracy, such as holding a rope centimetres in front of them at full gallop. - 1976

In San Antonio de Areco in the province of Buenos Aires, the big jineteadas (rodeos) on Tradition Day attract estancieros and gauchos from all over the province. The competitions are mainly attended by professional horsemen or domadores, who wear leather spurs and "botas de potro", boots made from the skin of the horse's foot. The movements of horse and rider are as acrobatic as they are elegant; falls are frequent and shrewd horses throw themselves to the ground as soon as they mount (picture). The most dangerous game is forbidden today: It involved jumping down from the crossbar of a corral gate onto an unsaddled wild horse, the lead animal of a herd that was being chased through the gate at a gallop. Those who missed were lucky to escape with a few broken bones. - 1975

In San Antonio de Areco in the province of Buenos Aires, the big jineteadas (rodeos) on Tradition Day attract estancieros and gauchos from all over the province. The competitions are mainly attended by professional horsemen or domadores, who wear leather spurs and "botas de potro", boots made from the skin of the horse's foot. The movements of horse and rider are as acrobatic as they are elegant (picture); falls are frequent, and shrewd horses throw themselves to the ground as soon as they mount. The most dangerous game is forbidden today: It involved jumping down from the crossbar of a corral gate onto an unsaddled wild horse, the lead animal of a herd that was being chased through the gate at a gallop. Those who missed were lucky to escape with a few broken bones. - 1975

The ‘carrera de sortijas’, the "ring stabbing". While galloping, the rider has to "take" a ring of about two centimetres in diameter with a small stick. - Estancia Santa María, Ayacucho, Province Buenos Aires - 1975

"The meat is what is left over when you have nothing left." In the vastness of the pampas, this Argentine proverb still holds true today. Grilled outdoors, the asado is cut right at the mouth as you eat, and the best pieces belong to the guest as a matter of course, whether they are invited or happen to be there. - Estancia Palitué, Province Neuquén. - 1975

Gauchos from the Salta region, taken on 17 June 1973 during the celebrations for the anniversary of the death of Martin Miguel de Güemes.

Alberto Biocca, President of the Grupo traditionalista of Ayacucho in the province of Buenos Aires, in his Sunday best, with silver-decorated saddle and bridle and gaucho poncho, also knows how to handle the lasso masterfully. - 1976

Luxury harness. - Estancia La Luciana, Ayacucho, Province Buenos Aires. - 1975

Luxury harness. - Estancia El Ombú, Ayacucho, Province Buenos Aires - 1975

Luxuriously harnessed, the gaucho's horse carries on its saddle something to face the elements: knife (“facón”), “boleadoras”, hobbel straps, lasso. The spurs can be wood, leather or chiseled silver.- Estancia on the Huemul peninsula, Neuquén province. - 1975

Troperos bring a herd intended for sale across the Alumine River in the Andean foothills. - Province Neuquén. - 1973

Luxuriously harnessed, the gaucho's horse carries on its saddle something to face the elements: knife (“facón”), “boleadoras”, hobbel straps, lasso. The spurs can be wood, leather or chiseled silver.- Estancia on the Huemul peninsula, Neuquén province. - 1975

Luxuriously harnessed, the gaucho's horse carries on its saddle something to face the elements: knife (“facón”), “boleadoras”, hobbel straps, lasso. The spurs can be wood, leather or chiseled silver.- Estancia La Luciana, Ayacucho, Province Buenos Aires - 1975

Luxuriously harnessed, the gaucho's horse carries on its saddle something to face the elements: knife (“facón”), “boleadoras”, hobbel straps, lasso. The spurs can be wood, leather or chiseled silver. - Criadero Helvecia, Chile - 1975

Gauchos from the Salta region, taken on 17 June 1973 during the celebrations for the anniversary of the death of Martin Miguel de Güemes.

The pampas are never completely deserted. At one or the other crossroads, there is always a pulpería or carnicería, where you can quench your thirst and find out the latest gossip and the date of the next festival from the pulpero.- Paso de la Laguna, Province Entre Ríos - 1973

The cattle are the wealth of the pampas. There are buyers who travel by plane from one remate (auction) to another. The cows are traded as lots, bulls as heads. - Remate in Temuco, Chile - 1975

The ritual of the asado and the mate is repeated with each stage. - Estancia Santa Ercilia, Palomas, Province Salto, Uruguay - 1975

Chacho Royo, a skilled rider with mighty guardamontes on either side, is seventy-five years old, fifteen of whom lie in mysterious darkness. - Estancia Campo Alegre, Salta. - 1975

Arturo Fernandez, with mighty guardamontes on either side, has a finca near Salta where he tries to keep the traditional things alive. - Estancia Campo Alegre, Province Salta - 1973

Estancia Campo Alegre, Province Salta Two generations, one friendship. Arturo Fernandez has a finca near Salta where he tries to keep the traditional things alive. Chacho Royo, a skilled rider with mighty guardamontes on either side, is seventy-five years old, fifteen of whom lie in mysterious darkness. - Estancia Campo Alegre, Province Salta - 1975

Chacho Royo is one of the best gauchos in the Salta area and could demonstrate a lot of the younger ones in the campo. - Estancia Campo Alegre, Province Salta - 1975

Arturo Fernandez, with mighty guardamontes on either side, has a finca near Salta where he tries to keep the traditional things alive. - Estancia Campo Alegre, Province Salta - 1973

In the province of Buenos Aires, the Troperos drive cows and calves to the Estancia La Mimosa. - 1973

At Don Emilio Solanet's Estancia «El Cardal», Ayacucho, Province of Buenos Aires - 1975

Sheep are herded early in the morning. Estancia Las Toscas, Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia. - 1973

Fiesta Gaucha in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. - 1976

Fiesta Gaucha in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - 1976

The cattle are the wealth of the pampas. Remate (auction) in Villa María, Córdoba. The cows are traded as lots, bulls as heads. - 1973

In the morning it goes out to the herd again ... - Estancia Campo Alegre, Province Salta - 1973

Arturo Fernandez, has a finca near Salta where he tries to keep the traditional things alive. - Estancia Campo Alegre, Province Salta - 1973

Arturo Fernandez, with mighty guardamontes on either side, has a finca near Salta where he tries to keep the traditional things alive. - Estancia Campo Alegre, Province Salta - 1975

On the estancia “La Margarita” at Lake Viedma, in the province of Santa Cruz, the gauchos set off for the sheep pastures. On horseback, they cover great distances across the steppes of Patagonia. In the background the Fitz Roy massif. - 1973

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