Cowboy Bob's Dictionary

Romal

Romal

A Romal (Pronounced ro-MAHL) is a type of long quirt -- usually made of leather or rawhide -- attached to the middle of a set of closed reins. About four to five feet long, the Romal is not designed for striking the horse, but rather to assist in moving cattle. Romal reins are used "California Style" -- with the reins entering from the bottom of the hand and exiting at the top between thumb and index finger. The romal is held in the free hand, with the free hand near the thigh.

Public domain photo courtesy wikipedia.org.