What is C&W Western Horse (kyhorse.com)?

Updated

C&W Western Horse is a small, family-run leather shop in Cynthiana, Kentucky, operated by Wes and Anita Forsythe. It sells handmade leather belts, halters, leads, strap goods, and related tack and accessories, and it now does business entirely online and by phone after closing its physical store during COVID-19. If you are looking for handmade leather horse tack from a US-based maker, this is the kind of shop to check — but you should know that it is scaling back its leather halter line, so halter availability is changing.

What the shop sells

The site organizes products into these main categories:

  • Belts — the shop's signature item, and the area it plans to expand
  • Halters — leather halters, currently being discontinued
  • Leads — lead ropes and similar strap goods
  • Strap Goods — general leather strap items
  • Halter & Tack Repairs — repair parts and repair services
  • Bits — including hackamores and Tom Thumb bits
  • Dog Stuff — dog-related leather goods
  • Hardware and Liniments — tack hardware and horse care products
  • Clothing & Accessories — belts and accessories grouped together

Who runs it and where it is

The business is operated by Wes and Anita Forsythe under the name Wes Forsythe Internet Services d.b.a. C&W Western Horse. The listed address is:

58 Peak Lane Cynthiana, KY 41031

Contact options:

Important changes to know before you order

The shop has posted a notice that it is scaling back its leather shop. Key points:

  • Leather halters are being discontinued over a period of weeks, followed eventually by some other leather items.
  • The stated reason is that the machinery used for halter production would need replacement or repair to maintain quality and turnaround time, and the owners are directing more time to their cattle farm and nearing retirement age.
  • Belts and other accessories are expected to get more attention, with new options planned.
  • The physical location is closed because of COVID-19; all business is now handled via the internet and phone.

If a leather halter is what you want, treat it as a limited-time item rather than a standing product line.

Using the website

  • The site runs on a new shopping cart, which the owners say simplifies shopping.
  • They note a known bug: the cart can overcharge shipping by one cent at random.
  • Many items are still being uploaded, so the catalog is incomplete — best sellers are listed first.
  • Shipping is a flat $8.50 rate per the site heading.
  • If you hit a glitch or spot a mistake, the site asks you to email [email protected] or call/text 859-234-9905.

When this shop is a good fit

  • You want handmade leather belts or accessories from a small US maker.
  • You need tack repairs or repair parts rather than new mass-produced gear.
  • You are comfortable ordering online or by phone with no walk-in store.
  • You are not counting on a leather halter being available long-term, given the discontinuation notice.

If you need a guaranteed, ongoing supply of leather halters, plan to confirm availability by phone or email before relying on this shop for that item.