Nate grew up in various parts of Oregon. He grew up riding rodeos in high school.  When he wasn’t riding rough stock, he was training, showing and breaking horses.  In his late teens & early 20s he worked on a series of cattle ranches and learned that horses were where his heart was.  He has worked as a vet tech, managed boarding and training stables as well as a dude and hunting outfit.  His experience shoeing horses for 30+ years enhances his skills in optimizing horse leather for optimal cowboy experience.

In 2001 Nate left Oregon for Colorado where he has furthered his leathersmith career. He apprenticed under a master saddle maker, Rusty May, his uncle. With Rusty’s guidance and teaching Nate’s work has surpassed most in the industry.