A fifth-generation rancher shares the real purpose of putting boots or shoes on fence posts, plus other fun ranch symbols to know
If You See a Boot on a Fence, Here’s What It Means
Updated on Jan. 10, 2025
I live near several horse ranches in rural Colorado, and one has a very unique fence: Each post is skewering a neon yellow pickleball. It’s rumored the owner is a pickleball champ. They aren’t the only ranchers to use their miles of fencing to make a statement, however. If you’ve ever road-tripped through rural areas, you might have seen some uniquely decorated fences yourself. One common sight: a weathered cowboy boot perched atop a fence post, baking in the sun. Is it a quirky decoration, a lost-and-found item or something else? The purpose of putting boots or shoes on fence posts might be just a rural fashion statement, but more often, it carries a deeper meaning that stretches across traditions, practicality and even superstition.
“Those boots are expensive! People aren’t just putting them out there randomly,” says Kara Smith, a fifth-generation cattle rancher in northeastern Colorado.
Read on to find out what Smith says that fence boot really means, along with the meaning behind some other quirky ranch and farm traditions you might see on the road.
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What are the theories about why people might put boots on a fence?
Like any curious sight, this phenomenon has inspired numerous stories and theories over the years from ranchers, farmers and travelers. This speculation has led to a patchwork of possible explanations for the purpose of putting boots or shoes on fence posts. Here are a few popular theories:
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Honoring the fallen. A boot may be a tribute to a ranch hand, family member or beloved horse who passed away. It is a silent memorial and a nod of respect to those who once worked the land.
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Retiring a favorite pair of boots. Ranchers sometimes retire their favorite worn-out boots by placing them on a fence post, giving the boot a final resting place. As an added bonus, this keeps the shoe out of a landfill and adds some fun decor.
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Marking territory. Boots may sometimes signal ownership or boundary lines, especially in expansive properties where fences stretch for miles.
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Providing luck or protection. More superstitious ranchers may put the boot there as a good-luck charm or to protect the ranch.
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Decorating. Sometimes, a boot on a fence post is just a boot on a fence post. Because life is short and why not?
What is the actual purpose of putting boots or shoes on fence posts?
All of the above theories can be true. “The reason a particular boot is on a particular fence really depends on the person,” Smith explains. “Boot traditions are also very region-specific.” For instance, she says that using the boot as a tribute to a lost loved one is more common in the South.
Has Smith herself ever booted a fence? (Fenced a boot?) Yes! Her reason was the last theory noted above: “They make nice Western-themed decorations.”
OK, but why a boot? “New boots can range from $200 to several thousands of dollars for a custom pair, and we can get pretty attached to them, so when they wear out, we don’t want to just throw them in the trash,” Smith says. “So if we can reuse them in any way, we will.”
She recalls attending a wedding in which the bride used old cowboy boots as centerpieces. It was not just beautiful but also meaningful to the people whose boots they were. “Ultimately, no matter what the specific purpose is, the underlying reason is always as an homage to ranch life and the unique heritage of each ranch,” she says.
Is this the same as seeing shoes on a power line?
While the visual of boots on a fence post may remind you of shoes dangling from power lines, the symbolism is quite different. Shoes on power lines often carry urban legends tied to gang activity, memorials or playful pranks. In contrast, boots on fences are a rural tradition rooted more in personal expression, respect and practicality rather than urban mystery or danger.
Where will you generally find boots on a fence?
This tradition is most commonly spotted in regions with established ranches. Many of these ranches—including Smith’s—date back to the Homesteading Act of 1862. This law allowed U.S. citizens to “lay claim” to 160 acres of public land in exchange for living on it, improving it and paying a small registration fee. These ranches are found mostly in states like Texas, Wyoming, Montana and New Mexico.
You’re also more likely to see boots on fences bordering large properties, where long stretches of fencing run alongside rural highways.
What should you do if you see a boot on a fence?
“Don’t touch it,” Smith says. “Leave it as you found it.” If you are lucky enough to spot boots (or anything else) perched on a fence post, just appreciate them from a distance. They often hold sentimental value or serve a practical function and are a part of not only that ranch’s story but the entire community.
What other surprising symbolism might you see in rural areas?
There are many other fascinating ranching traditions centered around symbols. Here are four that Smith wants people to understand:
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A lucky horseshoe: A horseshoe hung above a doorway is a sign of luck. Cowboy lore says it must always be hung open side up to “keep the luck from spilling out.”
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A cowboy hat: There are a lot of superstitions around cowboy hats, including the rule that you should never place them on a bed. And always lay them down with the crown side up—tradition says that keeps the good luck inside, but Smith notes another perk: “It also helps the hat keep its distinctive shape.”
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No yellow cowboy shirts: “You’ll never see a yellow shirt in a rodeo arena because the color is considered bad luck, and honestly, you’ll see very few yellow Western-style shirts at all for this reason,” Smith says.
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Brands: Most ranchers have a unique metal brand that they use to mark their cattle. The symbol identifies which cows belong to which ranch, but it also often has a deeper meaning and is passed on from generation to generation.
Rural areas are rich with unique symbols and practices. Here are a few others to keep an eye out for:
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Purple fences: A painted purple fence may be used as an eye-catching “No Trespassing” sign in some states. “The rules about whether cattle must be fenced in or open-range vary from state to state, but you may see this on fences that butt up against public lands, or [on] well-traveled roads, to keep people off of private property,” Smith says.
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Painted trees: White-painted tree trunks may signal pest control or protection against sun damage. Some outdoorsmen will also paint symbols like x’s or arrows, using the painted trees to communicate a specific message about the land.
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Rusty tools on walls: Old tools displayed on barns or fences can symbolize hard work and the value of repurposing. They may also be hung up as a way to preserve the history of the ranch, Smith adds.
But Smith’s favorite symbol isn’t a man-made one. It’s from Mother Nature: a box turtle. “In my region, we’ve always been very superstitious about seeing a box turtle on a country road because it means rain is coming,” she says. “It’s surprisingly accurate! Nature has a way of using symbols too.”
Now that you know what you’re looking for, we bet you’ll start spotting these symbols everywhere, and we hope you have fun discovering the unique traditions and superstitions of your region and culture.
About the expert
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on the purpose of putting boots or shoes on fence posts, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who has covered common curiosities for Reader’s Digest. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Kara Smith, fifth-generation cattle rancher and co-founder of Colorado Craft Beef; phone interview, Jan. 7, 2025
- National Park Service: “About the Homestead Act”
