The Country Saddler

40 years of Traditional Workmanship in the Sandhills

By Ray Owen

For over 40 years

Wayne Rasmussen has plied his trade as a master leatherworker, specializing in custom bridles. Along with his wife, Janet, a maker of custom horse clothing and riding apparel, they operate the Country Saddler out of a modest two-story block building at the historic Pinehurst Harness Track.

“We had a tack shop up north and relocated to Pinehurst around 2008,” says Janet. “We sold most of the things that every other tack shop sold, but then we got into our own custom work and started making it.”

Entering the shop is like walking back in time. The smell of leather fills the air, its oils and waxes giving an aroma slightly earthy and a bit sweet. To the left of the doorway are tools of the trade – knifes, mallets and hammers, edgers and hole punchers, and leather scraps. To the right are colorful sewing materials, spools of thread and finely woven fabrics. “When folks walk in and look around, they realize this is the real deal,” says Janet.”

“The Harness Track is a good location because it allows us to get a lot of work done,” she continues.

“This is a training center for Standardbreds and oddly enough, we do almost no business with them. They order everything online and there’s no leather in their harness anymore. It’s all artificial material, which is good for them. Our business comes from other horse people in the area – Carolina Horse Park, the Walthour-Moss

Foundation, Southern Pines Horse Country, and further out from that.”

In addition to bridles and clothing, the Rasmussens create most of their products such as belts, dog collars, and leashes. They provide select tack repair and saddle fittings, and onsite service at farms and select regional shows. Their years of experience make them a trustworthy resource for equestrians – from local riders to world-class competitors. “We’ve done a lot of work for the British and French teams, and a lot for the Budweiser Hitch,” says Wayne.

Wayne’s interest in leather goods was sparked by a visit to an old British saddle maker and bridler in New Jersey. He looked around the dusty shop, smelled the leather, and began dreaming about taking up the work. He found an old Irish harness maker and saddler who taught him the trade. After a two-year apprenticeship, he opened up his own shop and starved for a few years.

“I enjoyed doing what he loved to do,” recalls Wayne. “I slowly got into making some bridles. The first one I ever made was actually for Janet when she was still riding. I especially enjoy making hunter/ jumper bridles and the reins. I’ve also made a good deal of dressage bridles, but I don’t make them to stock necessarily. I’ve cut down on that type of work because there’s just not enough time.”

Janet is known for her custom show sheets. “I have a sewer and make them myself,” she explains. “When needed, I bring the fabric in and measure the horse for a custom fit, or you can buy the standard sizes. I also make tack room drapes, trunk covers, rain sheets, scrim sheets, and dress sheets – I just love sourcing colors for people.”

In terms of the future of custom equestrian products, Wayne feels the outlook is good because people are so serious about horses. “The horses are dressed better than a lot of people,” he says with a smile. “I’ve trained a number of people through the years,” he adds, reflecting on his legacy. “I hope that it’ll continue on. I’ve done as much as I can do to allow it to carry on.