From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
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For other uses, see Rawhide (disambiguation).
Rawhide is a hide or animal skin that has not been exposed to tanning and thus is much lighter in color than treated animal hides. The skin from buffalo, deer, elk, or cattle from which most rawhide originates is devoid of all fur, meat, and fat. The resulting material is often only semi-pliable and permeable to light. As such, it is considered suitable for use in objects ranging from drumheads to lampshades, and is often used to make chew toys for dogs. Rawhide is also used to cover saddle trees, which make up the form or foundation of a western saddle. The wet rawhide is used to strengthen the wooden tree by drawing up very tight as it dries.