Local business owner Mike Hyson has the job of helping folks “get back in the saddle” literally.

Hyson owns Mike’s Saddle Shop next to All is Well on East Three Notch Street, a location he’s been at since 2007.

“We make saddles, do saddle repairs, custom leatherwork, tack, sell jewelry, purses, wallets, Bible covers and more,” Hyson said.

Hyson has nearly 20 years experience doing leatherwork.

“I started in 1994 or 1995,” he said. “I started by doing drawing and painting and I was doing it for another guy who had a leather shop.”

Then he purchased his own tools for the trade.

But the in-shop services are unique, he said.

“We do custom-made chaps,” Hyson said. “I tell people, if you can put it on paper, I can do it. All the work is hand-tooled, using the best quality leather I can get.”

“We’re typically busy during rodeo season,” he said. “So this is our off season, you could say.”

A good portion of their business comes from selling products at rodeos.

“We travel around to different rodeos during the year,” he said. “We sell quite a bit there.”

Hyson is no stranger to rodeo.

“I rodeo,” he said. “I rode bulls for 13 years, and now I team rope.”

Hyson’s son, Dustin, also team ropes, where he finished No. 3 in the state.

The store is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon.