This saddle strap is associated with a saddle that was passed down to the donors, Frederick Jerrold Gutierrez and his sister Patricia Ann Gutierrez, from their father Frederic Hortencio Gutierrez (1916- ). The items were likely given to Frederic by his father Benjamin Franklin Gutierrez(1874-), who likely acquired them from his father Antonio Cipriano Gutierrez (1842-1929). Antonio Gutierrez had joined his brothers Gabriel and Juan Jr. in Las Animas County, Colorado sometime around 1873. According to census records, by 1890 he'd resettled in Colfax County, New Mexico (Springer) where, according to the 1895 publication of the History of New Mexico, he "commenced active operations by engaging in the raising of cattle and sheep upon a somewhat extensive scale, in which important line of industry he has ever since continued, having been very successful in his efforts..." In 1920 Benjamin, Antonio and sons Fred and Cipriano were all living together on the ranch. Antonio passed away in 1929.