Rodeos in Patagonia are hosted at ranches and cowboys come as far north as middle Chile for a chance to show their grit. There are different cetegories including bareback and the saddles used have no horn on which to hold onto. The gauchos boots are horse skin, tall and bleached white, only the toes are permitted to enter the narrow stirrups. The gaucho balances his weight by tossing a long heavy leather strap/whip into the air and whirling it hight. The horses are not broken and a poncho is tied over their head while the cowboy mounts. Hand led against a post they tremble, waiting to be let free and toss the unwanted weight from their backs.