By Danna Burns-Shaw

Little’s Boots is a 100-year-old family business with “heart and sole.” Building the highest quality boots, with four generations of family boot makers, Little’s is in an elite group of legacy bootmakers. As the 86-year-old, 3rd Generation owner Dave Little states, “That’s why you don’t see many small custom boot houses; most of them eventually either get bought out or decide to go into larger production to survive, and that is when you lose the quality. If you think about it, all the big brands – Lucchese, Tony Lama, Justin, Nocona – were all custom boot makers originally, but as time progressed they got bought out by big corporations. They started doubling up and now some of them make even up to a thousand pairs of boots in one day. You can only do so much without going excessive, overworking your people and not doing the detail work that you used to do. By not doing the detail work, you lose quality…boot making is a very difficult trade.”

Dave’s wife, Mary Jane, was also raised in a family business; a business that has also lasted over 100 years, Volner’s Meat Market. Mary Jane’s brothers still have the business, located just a few miles from Little’s Boots, where they have been retailing and wholesaling meat since 1914. Mary Jane (84) and Dave still pop into the shop and check on how Sharon and Duane (their children) are doing, making sure there is no rash on their baby, Little’s Boots.

Read more: Little’s Boots - Custom Bootmakers Since 1915

By Nikki Alvin-Smith

When considering various features of a barn, (regardless of whether you are going prefabricated, pole barn or stick built), it is important to carefully question the builders under consideration for the project as to which features are included in the price and which features you will be charged extra fees to include.

1. The Outside Spectacle
When choosing your new barn design it is wise to first consider how it will impact your property visually. What type of roofing and siding do you want and what colors? With the choice of color and product you should also think about maintenance and snowfall. For example, a metal roof will shed snowload better than shingle, but will also be noisier inside the building unless you add insulation underneath the roof.

2. Light is Right
Everyone loves a light barn. Regardless of whether you choose a sash window, transom window or other design it is important that the interior of the window have a protective grill. Think about how you will clean the windows too. This is at a minimum a bi-annual chore, so ease of operation and reach is important. Also consider prevailing winds and airflow in your building and try to maximize airflow. Windows add valuable light and can minimize the use of electric. You can also add skylights for natural light.

Shutters are a pretty addition but make sure they are out of the reach of inquiring equine mouths. These can be decorative or functional.

Read more: Horizon Structures Presents: The Top Five Most Important Features to Feature in Your New Horse Barn

By Nick Pernokas

Nestled in the rolling hills of Central Texas, the Equibrand headquarters is an impressive site. The entryway features metal figures from many western disciplines and at the end of the long driveway, the building dominates the surrounding countryside on its knoll overlooking Granbury, Texas.

The lobby resembles something that might be in a home in Fort Worth, as does the conference room behind it. The equine magazines and saddles on display, however, remind you that you’re in the heart of Texas’s booming performance horse industry. Behind the lobby and conference room, you will find meek offices and all business.

Brad Vance, vice president of sales, has worked for Equibrand for a total of 18 years. This includes a stint from 1996-1999 and then coming back to the company in 2002. Today Equibrand is the holding company for the popular brands Classic Rope, Rattler Ropes, Classic Equine, Martin Saddlery and the Cashel Company. Equibrand employs approximately 180 people across all brands, locations and manufacturing.

Classic Ropes was founded in 1986. By 1994, they were making some leg protection and saddle pads, thus formally establishing the brand Classic Equine in 1995. A few years later, the parent company Equibrand was formed. They acquired Rattler Ropes, followed by Martin Saddlery and the Cashel Company.

Equibrand prides itself on hiring talented people with horse or ranch backgrounds as employees. Another resource for Equibrand is the close proximity of Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Tarleton’s reputation in the rodeo industry provides a pool of young and smart horse people, who like to stay in the area to work after graduation.

Read more: Martin Saddlery: They Know the Ropes