Native Texan Leland Hensley has worked in some seriously Western capacities. For a time he was a ranch manager. On the day we interviewed him, he was working with survey crews in the oil and gas industry.
But the most Western and artistic of his endeavors — and the hat he’s happiest wearing — is “rawhider.”
Hensley got hooked on the practical art of rawhide braiding while attending Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. After graduating, he took a job as a ranch manager and continued honing his braiding skills whenever he had time. He found it was a great way to unwind after a long, hard day on the ranch.
These days, Hensley spends most of his time braiding rawhide, exhibiting his pieces, and teaching and elevating the art. But he still works at other things on occasion.
“These other jobs actually kind of help me get out of the shop,” he says. “Sometimes you’re in the shop so long that it gets a little old. This gets me out in the fresh air. I get to deal a
