Several years ago, sisters Dana and Tracy Eklund were working at a therapeutic riding program. Like many service-oriented groups, the center was operating with a $400 tack budget, and yet responsible for procuring and maintaining working tack for around twenty horses. Taking into consideration the cost of quality tack, the need for special therapeutic equipment, and the desire to ensure horse comfort and proper fit, it was very difficult to keep things running with the minimal tack budget. In addition, neoprene cinches would sore the horses, the saddles were small children’s saddles, and the horses were large draft crosses.
Not one to be easily defeated, Dana Eklund ordered a UBraidIt kit to try and create cinches that would better serve their horses and budget. Although the process was heavy on trial and error, she persevered and became impressed with the cinches’ breathability, longevity, and function. Never intending for the cinches to make it beyond her barn, Dana’s talent spoke for itself, and soon friends began placing orders. The craft soon blossomed into Big Sky Mohair Cinches, with Dana’s sister Tracy also adopting the craft.
Today, Dana and Tracy partner to handcraft each cinch. Some days this involves listening to music, podcasts, or Netflix, but each maintains their rhythm and brings their skill set to the process. In addition to crafting and selling the cinches, the sisters teach classes to get others started on the craft and encourage newcomers to set a high standard for a properly tensioned, well-made cinch.
While the cinches are lovely, their usefulness far exceeds their eye-catching ability. They are easy to clean, breathable, and best of all very comfortable for the horse. For Dana and Tracy, it is all about the horse.
Dana and Tracy’s work can be found at https://www.bigskymohaircinches.com/ . I encourage you to check out their products and classes.
I’m looking forward to outfitting my own horse with one and seeing the difference they make.
