Craftsmanship and Creativity: Hayburner Tack creates quality leather craft for Johnson County and beyond

Desira Light grew up on a ranch where cattle and horses were always part of daily life. This upbringing laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Hayburner Tack – a custom leather business rooted in practicality, creativity and a deep understanding of horses. 

From a young age, Desira was no stranger to hard work and gained an interest in leathercraft, driven in large part by her need for affordable horse tack. 

“I did day work for my uncle and anyone else who would hire me,” she shares. “I ran a mower and a swather while I was growing up.”

She adds, “Our horses were part of my inspiration for doing leatherwork and making horse tack. I thought if I could make it myself, it would be easier to afford.” 

Learning the craft

What began as a way to outfit her own horses soon grew into something more. 

Desira says she enjoyed the process so much, she continued making more items than she could use herself, eventually turning to selling some of her work. 

“There were people who wanted to purchase my stuff, so I kept at it,” she shares. 

Several mentors played a role in helping her develop skills. 

“When I was a senior in high school, I worked with Tom Colerick, a saddlemaker from Pinedale. He’s the one who first showed me how to do things with leather and taught me how to tool,” Desira shares. “I worked with him after school while my brother was at football practice. I had to wait for my brother to finish practice so we could drive home, and I spent that time at Tom’s saddle shop.”

Desira also attended classes at the Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show, held annually in Sheridan. Over the years, she took as many classes as she could afford, expanding her skills and knowledge.

“Those were very helpful for me,” she says. “I learned all sorts of new things there.” 

Beyond formal instruction, Desira learned by watching others, studying videos and reading books on leatherwork. Even today, she considers herself a student of the craft.

“I am still learning. I always want to learn more about leather,” she adds.

Building a business

Through her business, Desira creates custom leatherwork with a focus on small, detailed pieces. 

Her work includes belts, notebooks, hats, picture frames and a wide range of horse tack. 

More recently, she has also expanded into braiding and producing mule-tape halters, dog leashes and other related items. 

Desira reiterates most of her leatherwork is custom made, created based on ideas brought to her by customers, many of whom are ranchers and horse owners, although her work reaches a wide range of uses.

“They give me a general idea about what they want, and I create it,” she says. “I’ve done some woven cinches, Western cinches and some English girths. I make tack for working cowboys, rodeo cowboys, show horse people and even some kids who just need something to give to their dad as a gift.”

“If a person can come up with an idea for what they want, I can generally figure out how to make it for them,” she adds. “I do so many different things, it never gets tedious or boring. There are so many options with leather.”

With this, Desira notes saddlemaking remains on her list of future goals, but for now it requires more time than she currently has.

“I haven’t made any saddles yet, but it’s something I want to do eventually,” she says.

She also admits she doesn’t work with rawhide, having decided early on it wasn’t a good fit for her.

“I tried it once and decided it was not my thing,” she states. “I appreciate the people who can do it – it’s an art form in itself.” 

When it comes to supplies, Desira says she sources most of her leather from Montana Leather in Billings, Mont., preferring to select hides in person rather than ordering them sight unseen.

“I want to be able to actually put my hands on it before I buy it. Some hides are easier to work with than others,” she explains, noting no two hides are the same and different sections of a hide are better suited for different purposes.

“Leather is still a living, breathing material,” she says. “You learn how to work around brands and scars and where each piece works best.” 

Over time, Desira has assembled a collection of tools necessary for her work, purchasing them carefully due to the cost.

“They are expensive,” she admits. “You don’t need all of the tools available – even if you want them.” 

Additionally, Desira notes her business has grown without traditional advertising. Her reputation spreads primarily through word of mouth and social media, and she maintains a steady base of repeat customers. 

“I don’t need to grow my business very much because I don’t have time to do much more,” she admits. “My customers keep me busy enough. Whatever I make is already spoken for.”  

While many locals have known about Desira’s work for years, Hayburner Tack has reached far beyond Wyoming. In fact, Desira has shipped items across the U.S. and overseas.

“I’ve shipped leatherwork to Germany and Australia. It’s really interesting where my work ends up,” she states.  

Balancing a busy life

In addition to leatherwork, Desira, her husband Tyler and their two children run a small operation near Buffalo with a few cattle and horses. 

Desira sells VitaFerm mineral products for cattle and Vitalize vitamin-mineral supplements for horses, which she has done for the last six years, and Tyler is a diesel mechanic with his own shop.

“He repairs trucks, takes care of all of our machinery and stays really busy,” Desira says.

Additionally, Desira homeschools her 14-year-old daughter Kayden and her 12-year-old son Garret, balancing her leathercraft around school, sports, 4-H and other activities. 

“It all keeps me very busy,” she laughs.

For more information on Hayburner Tack, visit etsy.com/shop/hayburnertack, check out @HayburnerTackandLeather on Facebook or e-mail hayburnertack@hotmail.com.

Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.