Sara Douglas Hagel began making mane hair mecates at age 13 instead of getting a summer job. Her father, saddlemaker Bob Douglas, had learned the craft by trial and error and taught her all he knew about the process.
She spent the first few years mastering the process and then began to experiment with color and pattern. Soon her work became known for this innovative use of natural colors combined into unusual patterns. She continues to work on this today.
Twelve years ago she married Lee Hagel and the couple decided to offer high quality leather goods along with their mecates. This met a huge client demand for complimentary products. Also, many custom saddleries were looking for strap goods that would meet their stringent standards for quality gear. Now a number of custom saddlemakers rely on Hagel's Cowboy Gear to make their headstalls, slobber straps, spur straps and curb straps.
In November of 1996, the couple bought the last of Blind Bob Mills' rope making equipment. They began learning to make mecates with it rather than with hand equipment. Again, it was mainly learning by trial and error. Although the process is the same, it is mechanized. When hand equipment is used, it takes 3 to 4 people to put a mecate together. With this equipment, Sara is able to make a mecate from start to finish without additional manpower. This has greatly increased the number of mecates she is able to make in a year.