The Western Way
Longtime Topeka resident Anthony Miller has always loved cowboys. Fascinated by the image of the Western rider and ranch hand, he spent his childhood dreaming of how to bring that wonderment to life in northern Indiana, a place with little cowboy culture to speak of. At age 9, he attended a nearby event with horses and noticed a whip maker selling his wares. Miller was immediately hooked.
He spent his adolescent years learning to braid whips and, at age 29, operates Mudsock Leather, making handmade leather, rawhide and paracord goods.
“Around here in Indiana, we don’t have a lot of cowboys, so I was tossing around what I could do to feed my spirit. I noticed a whip maker and that got me thinking that I could do some braiding,” Miller recalls.
Around the time Miller turned 17, his dad introduced him to leatherwork, and he began creating a variety of bullwhips. His passion only continued, and he started Mudsock Leather in 2019. Located between Millersburg and Topeka, Mudsock Leather now offers a variety of cowboy riding tack, including rope halters, whips and hackamores, a specialized bitless bridle that guides a horse without putting pressure on the mouth.
Miller hopes surrounding and Western states will soon be calling or mailing in with their orders. He offers whips made with leather, rawhide or paracord, and he also accepts custom and large orders of any inventory. His custom orders can be made to specific sizes, coloring and applications.
“Paracord whips are by far the best investment,” Miller says. “They require little maintenance and last longer than leather. Leather whips are also a great choice, but they require more maintenance and wear out more quickly.”
Miller operates Mudsock Leather as a sole owner, but he regularly pulls in other community members to help support orders as needed. Rest assured, if you buy from Mudsock, you’re getting a quality item.
“A lot of people start a business with just a little experience, maybe a couple of years. I started braiding when I was 9 years old, and I’m still doing it 20 years later,” he says. “I think that experience speaks volumes and gives Mudsock Leather a little bit of an edge.”
Mudsock Leather stocks regular inventory for those in the area but also accepts custom orders by mail at 6400 S. 1000 W, Topeka, or by phone at 260-593-2253, ext. 2.
