Riatas are traditional braided rawhide ropes that were used by the early vaqueros, and are still greatly valued in todays working cowboy circles. The word riata comes from the Spanish word reatar, which means to retie, or to a rope that ties two animals together. Historically, the masters of the rawhide braiding craft were referred to as reateros, and those men were held in high esteem just as are their modern counterparts. Riatas have a unique feel and require more expertise to use than a nylon or poly rope. Most riatas today are 4 strand, but can be braided with 6 or even 8 strands. The braid and type of hide used determine the feel and best purpose; the fewer strands a riata has, the heavier work it can withstand because of the thicker, wider strands.