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Steel Buckles - Tom's Newest Project In 2012 Lyle Lovett approached Tom about making a very unique buckle for his girlfriend April. Tom took this challenge to heart and developed a steel buckle he could tie into the distinctive look of his bits and spurs. He played with different shapes, finishes, and overlay concepts and came up with a squared buckle in his signature brown finish featuring his stainless dots in a progressively smaller corner orientation. Lyle further customized the buckle with a personal message stamped on the backside and presented it to a very happy April. Since then, Tom has built different orientations of this steel buckle concept for several customers including a guest ranch. This blog is the step by step walk through of the process it takes to complete these beautiful buckles. Please note that these are broad steps that hold many small steps within. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Step one: The name, logo, or initials are determined. Step two: The overlay is hand cut from sterling silver or alternatively chosen material. Step three: The back of the buckle is welded as per the fastening preference.   Step four: Embellishments (dots, etc.) are welded...

We love this article on riding with soft hands by trainer - Jane Savoie on horsetalk.co.nz. "Riding with soft hands is an awesome goal, and your horse will thank you for it. In this tip, I’m going to give you two physical and also some mental exercises. Here are the physical exercises. Tie two reins or ropes or even two pieces of baling twine to a sturdy fence. Hold the ropes as if they are reins. Take up a contract of at least 10 pounds in each hand. Then, adjust the weight of the reins by softening your arms. Go from 10 pounds to 5 pounds, back to 10 pounds and then to 2 pounds. Once you get this feeling of adjusting the weight of the reins, you can transfer the same technique to your riding when you feel yourself getting too strong. The next exercise is a progressive relaxation exercise. Progressive relaxation means that the more tightly you hold a muscle, the more deeply it relaxes when you let go. So let’s tire out those strong hands. With your fingers curled around the reins, clench your hands into fists. Increase the tension until your hands are shaking. Then relax...

Understanding the importance of materials in the mouthpiece of your bits is a huge key to how successful you will be at getting the most out of your horse's performance. There are many options for bits and not all horses like the same mouthpiece. Granted, sometimes it is not the bit but whose hands the bit is in that can ultimately determine if the horse is responsive or accepting. A good sign that a horse has accepted its bit is the way he carries his head. A horse that is soft or accepting of the bit is flexing at the poll, relaxed at the jaw, and not mouthing the bit. Some common behaviors for not accepting the bit include head-tossing, chewing, or gaping mouth. If one sees their horse displaying such behavior, it is always a good idea to have your horse’s teeth checked as well as checking to see if there are sharp edges or pinching. Another major sign to look for is if the horse is producing saliva. Increased saliva production will increase sensitivity and allow the bit to properly roll and rotate in the horse’s mouth. Various metals used to make mouthpieces, such as steel (sometimes referred...

IF IT AIN'T BROKE... don't replace it! Each bit and spur is hand build through the initial machining down to the hand engraved initials. Through the years Tom has acquired many pieces of equipment to help make the bit and spur building process more efficient - for bending, drilling, and cutting the raw metal. Each piece of equipment has lived a little life before making it to our shop, and is put through rigorous use as it is manned by Tom, Sam, Justin, and Ryan. Here you can see a glimpse of the larger machines in the main fabrication room. This is where the the stock material coming in starts to take shape as a bit or spur. There are exceptions - machines that were purchased new. Toms welder, bought in 1973 to start his welding business, was one of those items. It finally broke down and repair is not possible. It was a bittersweet parting for Tom. He bought the helmet the same day, but it still has a lot of miles left on it. New equipment is also brought in if the technology is able to add value to you, our customers. An example of this is our...

ARE YOU A HORSE PERSON? We love this great list from Pro Equine Grooms and want to share it with you here. "-You speak horse. You understand how their brains work, how to read their body language, and how to influence and train their behavior in positive ways.  Giant, thick books on the topic have been written, you have memorized them all, and you still learn each and every day about how horses communicate by observing and interacting with horses.  -You also speak human. All this horse knowledge is useless if you can’t “play nice” with your boss, your co-workers, the barn clients.  You will also recognize your own needs, and the needs of those around you. Yes, “horses come first” but at some point, you need to sit your butt down and eat a sandwich and take care of yourself.  No horse will die if you wait 30 minutes to clean stalls or do some turnouts.    -Spend time focusing on the basics, the simple things. The tricks will follow.  This goes for hand work and under saddle work. If you have a horse that dances in the cross ties or likes to be a jerk when you are leading him,...

Button: This is the part the slips into the spur straps to hold them on the spur. Swing Arm: The swing arm hold the button to the heelband and, if hinged, allows for some movement. Bronc spurs typically have the spur bottom directly on the heelband and do not have a swing arm. Heelband: The heelband is the part the slides onto the back of your boot. It is sized to fit the rider and can be made of different weighted material for different preferences. Overlays can be placed on this part of the spur to dress it up. Other terms for this part of the spur are 'Yoke' or 'Branch'. Shank: The shank is the contact between the heelband and rowel. It is offered in many different lengths and angles to ensure the rider is able to use their spurs to the best of their ability. Overlays are also often placed on this part of the spurs. This part is also sometimes referred to as the 'Neck' of the spur. Rowel Pin: As the name suggests, this is the pin that holds the rowel onto the shank. It can be attached in many ways with the most common being to weld the end of...

One of the biggest events to hit Sheridan every year is the Sheridan WYO Rodeo! The upcoming dates are, July 11th - 17th, 2016. A History, by Tom Ringley (sited from sheridanwyorodeo.com) In 1931, the small town of Sheridan, Wyoming, was so quiet you could shoot a shotgun down Main Street and have no fear of injuring anyone. A group of local citizens wanted to do something about the situation and decided to put on a rodeo. They set their sights high and organized a first-class professional rodeo on a par with other professional rodeos like the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The committee started out from ground zero and had a huge challenge. Not only did the rodeo committee have to organize the rodeo from scratch, but they also had to prepare the county fairgrounds facility that lacked the necessary amenities for a large professional rodeo. They sold capital stock to finance the construction of additional seating, corrals, pens, and bucking chutes among other things. To publicize the event, E. W. Bill Gollings was commissioned to paint a picture for the first Sheridan-Wyo-Rodeo poster. The entire community and downtown merchants helped support the efforts of the rodeo committee to...

A Bit of Advice from Gina Miles Olympic three-day eventer Gina Miles shares 10 tips for selecting an appropriate bit. By Holly Caccamise | December 2013 - This article originally appeared in the August 2011 issue of Horse Illustrated.  Illustrated. Click here to subscribe. Selecting the correct bit is one of the most important parts of training your horse and bringing out his best performance. Here, Gina Miles, the 2008 Olympic individual silver medalist in three-day eventing, shares advice to help you navigate the many bits out there. Miles uses the following guidelines when deciding on a bit for a particular horse-and-rider combination. Use the simplest bit for the job. "Whenever I have a new horse in the barn or a new student, I first want to see how they go in a very basic double-jointed loose-ring snaffle, a says Miles.   Always remember to go back to the basics. If you have been using other bits during show season, try going back to the basic double-jointed snaffle during a break from competition or over the winter. "It’s always a good idea to take a step back and see if your training has been effective and produced a more rideable, responsive horse” says Miles. Use enough noseband to...

KEEPING YOU IN BITS AND SPURS Have you bits or spurs by this weekend! We try to keep a moderate stock that is ready to ship out today! If you are looking for a particular combination we might have it already built up. The stock in our gift shop is always changing with purchases and new builds. To see if we have what you want in stock please call 307-672-8459 or email sales@tombalding.com. Thanks!  

Billy Klapper Style How Billy Klapper has influenced Tom's bit and spur designs. A little backgound on Billy Klapper: He trained with early spur masters such as Adolph Bayers and has spent his life perfecting the trade. He has over 680 patterns, but accommodates his customers wishes for custom designs. His first designs do not have his makers mark stamped in them. This was a process he started in 1966 by marking each with his name and a serial number. Based in Pampa Texas, he builds each spur from a solid piece of metal using a small coal forge. He is a one man operation and can turn out two hundred pair a year with a waiting list spanning well over a year. In an attempt to learn early on from the masters; Tom spent time visiting Billy Klappers workshop and discussing the processes he used. Billy Klapper spoke freely and took time to teach different techniques to Tom. The respect Tom has for Billy Klapper can be seen in his applications of the lessons learned. It is most evident in his Texas Style spur heelbands, spur shank 102 and 546, as well as the Klapper bit mouthpiece.   When...

THE ORIGINAL - downsides to knockoffs The most obvious downside to purchasing a knock off is compromised quality. But what does that really mean. Let’s break it down.... Our bits and spurs are precision built. Every finished part is within a couple thousandth of the original drawing. Because of this, there is limited wearing, no pinching, and fluid movement for the end user. Bits are perfectly balanced, and spurs molded to your perfect fit. When other makers take our designs and knock them, off through an inexpensive process, you lose the commitment to perfection. The knockoffs are not built to the tolerances and specifications that ours are and therefore begin to wear in places, pinch your horse or boot, and stiffen/wobble when being used. Worst case scenario is a bit breaking while you are using it. With a knockoff, you are walking into a danger zone the moment you take it home. Every design, down to the smallest part, is carefully considered before it is created into a working mockup. Then it is sent to world class trainers and professional riders for testing and feedback. Every comment is evaluated and then the design is changed accordingly. It is tested and retested, until we have something we are...

Have it your way... We can put almost anything you want on a pair of spurs. We can put almost ANYTHING on a pair of spurs. All we need is a graphic you would like overlaid on your spurs. As each piece is delicately cut out by hand it is important to remember that small details will be lost in the process. Feel free to order one of the designs shown here or one of your own! We look forward to hearing from you!            

How to care for your bits and spurs? Tips to maintain and keep the 'new' a little longer on your bits and spurs (steel and stainless)   The most important difference between stainless (satin and high polish) and steel (brown, black, and satin) is that stainless will resist rust. Finishes are a personal preference; there is not one that is more popular than another. Outlined below is a tip list for the general care of your bits and spurs, as well as a more in depth care guide on both stainless and steel. GENERAL CARE TIPS: Remove wet material (mud, etc) from the surface of your spurs or bit before it dries. Use a semi soft bristled brush to remove dirt or other dried material from the surface. Wipe with a dry towel to remove any residues that might tarnish or rust the metal. Jewelry silver polish paste can be used directly on the silver overlays to maintain its shine - product. Use 3-in-1 oil to eliminate squeaks or to free up part movement - product. To sanitize a bit or spurs soak them in a chlorhexidine solution and gently clean build up with a soft bristled brush - product....

Which Bit Is Right For Me? Bit Mouthpieces And Rings Explained - Common Understanding Of Bit Functions Have you noticed that you could ask two equine experts the same bit question and get two very different answers? There are many different schools of thought in the equine world. One is not necessarily more right than another, however there are a few common understandings that have emerged. We have compiled the following information to help guide in your unique bit decisions. It is also strongly encouraged to speak with someone that understands your riding style and horse (trainer, fellow rider, etc.) for additional personal feedback on your bit needs. Purchasing a high-quality bit requires the best educated decision possible as it is an investment that will often last a lifetime. Our trial bit service is offered to those that would like to try a mouthpiece before purchasing, to ensure they are comfortable with the function in relation to their riding style. Because information is dynamic, we encourage you to share your experience and thoughts in the comment form below.    House Snaffle Mouthpiece: Noticeable Mullen for wraparound pressure on the bars and increased tongue relief. *****  Balanced Snaffle Mouthpiece: The only snaffle that puts perfectly balanced pressure on both bars without one side being higher...

Custom Spur Creator Build the spurs of your dreams then share, print, or order them! From time to time we have all wished we could build our own TBBS spurs and play with different finishes before ordering them. Well now you can! You can build the base spur and apply different overlays and watch in real time as the price reflects the changes. Once you have your perfect set built share them with your friends and family via the social links at the bottom of the page. You can also email or print the spur combination for your own records. If you love the combination and are ready to order, simply add the custom creation to your shopping cart. If you run into questions let us know and we will be happy to guide you or provide any additional information. We invite you to check it out, build a set of spurs, and let us know what you think! We love receiving feedback from our wonderful customers!   Check it out!  

A bits perfect fit How to fit a bit to your horses mouth The way a bit fits in your horse’s mouth can affect even the best trained horse. A bit should have a 1/8 to a 1/4 inch gap on both sides of the horse’s mouth, allowing for controlled movement and to avoiding pinching. Our standard mouthpiece width is 5 1/8". You can get the measurements of your horses mouth a number of different ways. Some of the most common are listed below. 1)  Measure the mouthpieces of a bit you know fits your horse’s mouth. 2) Place a clean measuring device directly in your horse’s mouth and note the width from corner to corner. 3)  Place a clean mark-able object, that is not very large in diameter, directly in your horse’s mouth and mark the width from corner to corner directly on the object. Then measure the width between markings with a measuring device. The measurement obtained is the size of your horse’s mouth and can be used when ordering bits from all makers. Remember to leave between 1/8 and 1/4 inch on both sides of the horse’s mouth. Please leave a comment below if you have suggestions for additional ways...

Holly Spagnola Silverwork Anytime we share photos of Holly's work we receive overwhelming positive feedback. Her eye for the spectacular and attention to detail lend to mind blowing designs. She crafts many different items including jewelry and buckles using precious metal and stones. We often have people contact us wanting to order the spurs we've shared photos of; however we provide Holly with the spurs and she handles the design and transaction directly with the customer. If you are interested in having Holly design a set of spurs for you or would just like to visit with her about possible projects please contact her at: Phone: 203-219-8457 or contact form. To see more of Holly's design work please visit her   webpage.                                                  

A spurs perfect fit The way a spur hugs your heel can make or break your day. We bend each heel band to its wearer for a firm hold that does not pinch or rub your foot. We ask for a specific measurement to ensure this fit is correct. Below is step by step instruction on getting this measurement with your current pair of spurs or your boot. Measuring your fit from a current set of spurs If you have a pair of spurs that you love the fit on, you can get that same feel by measuring them as per below. 1) trace the inside of your current spur as close to the heel band as possible 2) measure the width of the opening 3) draw a line where the measurement was taken and note the width 4) put your name and the date on the top of the drawing and fax/email/post it to us Measuring your fit from your boot If there is a pair of boots you love or if you don't have another set of spurs to measure from, please use the following method to ensure the perfect fit. 1) get a piece of stiff wire and wear the boot that...

Filming - How It's Made Tom’s reputation for superior craftsmanship has spread worldwide. In 2011  the film crew for Discovery Channels How It’s Made documented the elaborate process of hand-crafting a belt buckle, bit and spurs. Three segments were captured on film and have been aired within the United States. The segments are slowly being released worldwide in a multitude of translations. The segments are currently up on You Tube and can be viewed on our Video Tour page.  After we received confirmation the film crew from Discover Channel would be visiting us, we drew up some designs and started creating 'step' pieces. Since the film crew would only be with us a short time, these pieces would be used to show each step of the process as quickly as possible.     They arrived in a small white van, that was deceivingly spacious, and unloaded a large about of expertly packed equipment. The crew was efficient and extremely professional as they captured each process in HD. Every detail from lighting to angle was skillfully adjusted to perfection. The work spaces were tight so we all became friends fairly quickly. They even humored us taking photos of     them during the whole...

Summer 2014 Events - TBBS - Sheridan Wyoming        

Building a business for half your life...   Tom has been building Tom Balding Bits & Spurs for half his life! It was not always an easy path to forge. You can learn the basic history of the company at COMPANY HISTORY.  This blog entry is dedicated to the little known stories that paint the picture of Tom's journey and background.  Tom's family was full of outdoor enthusiasts and he was raised backpacking, camping, and immersing himself in mother nature. His uncle would take him and his cousins up into the California wilderness for weeks at a time.  His immediate family traveled all over camping from their car, catching fish, and enjoying each new adventure that came their way. This is the base that has created Tom's desire to backpack, hike, mountain bike, and snowboard that to this day is a   center point of his life.    As a young man he delivered papers in Ontario California to raise a little pocket money. He would slowly peddle by while delivering the morning paper to Hooker Headers  (now owned by Holley) and dreamed of the day he could work there. He practiced welding in the family garage, using his fathers work equipment,...

So Many Say It Better Then We Do... We have been very fortunate to have many articles written about our company. Sometimes we have found others can say it better then we can. We recently had the following article published in Western & English today. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did! We also have many of the articles here on our site: http://tombalding.com/index.php/articles      

Is This Bit Legal? We are often asked if a bit is legal for a particular association. We don't mind finding out for you! In fact we have accumulated a mini data base of what is legal right now in certain associations and thought we would share it with you. Below you will find answers to all your bit related questions for the NRCHA, NRHA, and AQHA. If we have missed your association please let us know and we will complete the research and get it posted as soon as possible. We have many buy it now options on our website for both shank bits or snaffle bits. We hope you are able to find the exact bit you are looking for. However if you have any questions or cannot find a particular bit online please give us a call at 1-307-672-8459. Thanks!   NRCHA (taken directly from the 2013 NRCHA rulebook): 5.2 A spade bit or a bit having the following characteristics must be used in any of the bridle classes. Said characteristics shall be: one with an unbroken bar mouthpiece with one inch or higher port measured from the bottom of the bar to the top of the...

Native American Jewelry Did you know that we carefully hand select every piece of Native American Jewelry we have in our gift shop from a buyer that scours the country for the highest quality out there? I guess you could say all of our Native American Jewelry is double hand-picked, the best of the best, vetted, top notch, fitting for royalty, or otherwise thoroughly examined before entering our show room. Because each item is one of a kind, and usually does not stay in the store for very long, we are not able to put everything up on our website. So stop in and check out what we have that day or let us know what you are looking for and we can send you images of the items we have that match. Each handcrafted piece of jewelry is truly a work of art from many talented Native American jewelry makers across the western states. As a true testament to the quality of the pieces; a fair number of them end up going home with the office staff! If there is a particular style or piece you are looking for and we don't have it in the shop we can...

Spur Shank Offset Options Did you know that you can order your spurs with an offset shank? Just mention the degree of offset you are looking for when placing your order with our friendly staff by phone or email. If you are ordering off of our website just follow up with an email indicating you would like an offset shank and the degree of offset you would like. "What are the benefits of an offset spur shank" you ask. Great question! If you have a hard time touching the horse with a straight shank an offset shank will allow a more direct contact with less effort. The harder it is for you to reach the horse with a straight shank the more you will want to increase the degree of the angle on the offset. We recommend not exceeding a 15 degree offset to keep the motion needed to create contact from becoming awkward. We have customers who have injuries that make it hard to turn their foot when riding. We have put the offset on just one spur or both depending on the need to allow them the ability to ride in comfort. If you have any questions about spur shank offsets please let...

Hand Engraving Process All of our engraved sterling silver is individually hand engraved. It takes great talent to create the miniature masterpieces. We use hand engraved silver on our bits, spurs, jewelry, and accessories. Check out the photos and video below to see firsthand the detail and process. Please note the video is not our engraving but our process is the same.   To view video:

How conformation and tack can affect your horse’s performance "When purchasing a horse, it’s fair to say that most buyers want to purchase a horse breed to do the event of their choice. For example if you are interested in horse racing then you would tend to purchase a Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse (that’s specifically “race bred”) or if you are into cattle events then you may purchase a horse that has bloodlines from award winning cutting horses.  How a horse is built can affect how well the horse can perform its job at hand.  If you are interested in cutting then choosing a tall, lanky horse like a Thoroughbred may not be the wisest decision.  That’s not to say other breeds cannot excel or perform in events they were not bred for but one should take into account the physical demand of the event. How much strain physically placed on a horse’s limbs, joints, soft tissue, long and short bones will depend on the demands of the event.  Performance is often compromised when horses experience pain associated with their job.  A study in Germany demonstrated that dressage horses with a more horizontal shoulder and vertical pelvis showed the greatest...

Blog To Blog We thought you might enjoy a blog from a fellow blogger. Sarah called in and spoke to Tom and created her blog entry. She is an freelance journalist specialising in equestrian and country lifestyle topics in the UK. We really enjoyed working with her and hope you enjoy her blog post below. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Spurred on to greater success - an interview with Tom Balding "Ever wondered how those beautiful, extravagant bits and spurs used in Western riding are made? I caught up with Tom Balding, America's premier manufacturer of high-quality bits and spurs, for some inside information. With his soft, drawling accent and laconic delivery, Tom Balding, eponymous proprietor of Tom Balding Bits and Spurs, sounds to my British ears as though he's just stepped off the set of a Western movie. It comes as a surprise, therefore, to learn he's actually from Southern California, and has a background in precision manufacturing. "I had my own manufacturing business," he explains, "and in 1980 I decided to quit and try my hand as a cowboy. I moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, bought and trained a young horse and worked on ranches, hauling hay and doing anything else you can think...

 TOM'S VIDEO INTERVIEW Have you every wanted to hear Tom's story straight from Tom? Here is a video interview from reiningonline.com. VIDEO INTERVIEW  If you are having trouble viewing the video you may have to download this to play it: http://www.longtailvideo.com/players/jw-flv-player

Bits and Their Functions Responsiveness is important in show horses and working horses alike. The choice in which bit used is fundamental to a horse’s performance. Desired results of bit performance are quicker, more precise movements and enhanced responsiveness to the rider’s cues. Examples of this increased control include: quicker stops, sharper turns, controlled stride length, jumping height, and sudden direction changes. Tom Balding offers a large variety of bit combinations.  A snaffle bit is an unobtrusive beginning in training younger horse’s responsiveness to cues. Tom offers a full range of snaffle bits to accommodate any horse and rider. The various three piece snaffle combinations provide softer cues for a responsive horse, while the twisted Wire™ and twisted Witch™ mouthpieces, available in a variety of sizes provide quicker cues to the bars of this mouth. Once general cues are followed with ease, a transition bit like the popular Double Cross™ can provide a bridge between the snaffle and a ported or solid mouthpiece. Tom Balding offers a variety of bits designed for the finished horse which aid in promoting head and body collection. Each mouthpiece design is carefully contemplated and executed; from the angle it’s welded on the shank to...

WHATS IN YOUR HORSES MOUTH? A Happy Horse starts with a Happy Mouth: Horse pacifiers – rollers, copper, & rust Finding the right bit for your horse is a huge key to how successful you are in getting the most out of your horse’s performance.  A happy horse starts by being happy with what’s in its mouth.  There are many options for bits and not all horses like the same mouthpiece in their bit. Granted, some times it’s not the bit, but whose hands the bit is in, that can ultimately determine if the horse is responsive or accepting.  Generally, good signs that a horse has accepted, or actually approves of, its bit are the way the horse will carry his head and neck as well as relaxing in its jaw. A horse that is “soft”, or accepting of the bit, is flexing at the poll and throat latch, relaxed at the jaw, as well as not mouthing the bit; meaning constantly chewing on the bit or tossing and slinging its head.  If one sees their horse displaying such behavior, it’s always a good idea to have your horse’s teeth checked as well as consider your horse’s equipment such as...

What can your mind create? Do you have a vision of the prefect belt buckle? Sketch it out or work with Kelli and Desirae to get a mock up of your vision. Then bring it to reality through our comprehensive ordering process. Be instrumental in the material and finish detail selection.  Check out this beautiful creation just completed. Phase one: Detailed drawing from our customer.   Phase two: Select font and finishing details.       Phase three: Receive your buckle!     It really is that simple and personalized. We want you to treasure your creation for many years. Here are some other beautiful examples to get your creativity flowing. If you would like a quote. Please email us your thoughts or draft.   We can't wait to see what you come up with! ~*~ Your friendly staff at Tom Balding Bits & Spurs ~*~

Patriotic Bucking Horse Stickers THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED! We received your feed back on this post. Thank you! However we still need you to email us your mailing address so we can send stickers your way. Thank you Jessica for  email. Your stickers are on their way!   Be one of the first 10 people within the US to send a comment below to receive a pack of 10 stickers to pass out to friends and family. Once you have commented below please email us your mailing address at sales@tombalding.com. Please title the email "sticker address". A little history on the Wyoming Bucking Horse taken from the Wyoming Executive Department Cheyenne: This first know use of the bucking horse as an insignia was worn by members of the Wyoming Nation Guard in France and Germany during WWI. The original design was created by ISG George N. Ostrom of the E Battery, 3rd Battalion, 148th Field Artillery Regiment, & AEF. The insignia was officially adopted by the US Army and was used as a means of identification on gun trails, trucks, helmets, and other equipment. It has been extensively used by Wyoming units during out of Stat and overseas...