Hi!

I'm Millie! A girl who grew up on a high country station at the bottom of New Zealand. I have since traveled and spent several years cowboying on large Cattle Ranches in British Columbia, Canada. This is where I developed my love for horses and the Western Art of creating handmade custom cowboy gear.

Throughout my downtime while cowboying, times like sitting around in cow camp after a long day, provided great opportunities to learn from fellow cowboys and cowgirls honing in on skills needed to master the art of braiding. I began using my braiding as a currency for cowboy trading - if I braid you a mecate, what will you give me in return? I traded for bits, split reins, breast collars and many more pieces of tack! As I slowly started getting my name out there, I began to get custom orders from friends and local horsemen and from there, Millie's Mecates Custom Braiding was born!

After returning to New Zealand in 2019, I needed a new cinch and what better way to get one than to make one. I started getting into working with mohair for cinches and breast collars. This is all where Bar M Custom Tack started!

I now offer a wide range of braided tack with paracord and rope, as well as 100% natural mohair! From supplying the everyday working cowboy needing gear that is tough, durable and unique, and will catch the eye in the arena when they head to town - I can do it all.

I take pride in my braiding and the colour patterns and combinations I come up with and make sure that every single piece of tack that leaves my workshop is totally unique to that client! All my work goes out the door with the idea of having...

Grit and Grace

- something that a true cowgirl must have. My tack carries a beautiful strength and is gritty and tough enough for whatever it's job should be.