Todd’s creations are used by some of the top reining, cutting and roping trainers in the country and his work has been juried in the prestigious International Guild of Bit and Spur Makers. Once the mechanics are determined, the customer can focus on the aesthetic aspects including silversmithing and personalization. With this information and the rider’s physical attributes, Todd selects a band width and size, shank length and height, pin height, and finally, rowel type. This 5-step approach starts with a review of the rider either in person or via video, where he pays particular attention to the rider’s pressure in the hands and feet. So, what is the secret to Todd’s successful formula? He puts each customer’s goals, needs and unique specifications in the center of his decision, design and crafting process. His process for evaluating every aspect of the customer’s use of these tools is meticulous, and the handmade products he crafts are nothing short of stunning. Todd’s passion for developing the perfect bit or spurs is infectious. That was the impetus for his new career and the founding of Bowman Custom Spurs. Todd realized that other riders could also significantly benefit from a tailored approach to spur design. Seemingly minor changes to the shank length and height, and the placement of the pin made a huge difference in how he was able to talk to his horses. He searched for blacksmithing tools and customized them for his purposes, and then began experimenting with spur designs that affected how his horses responded to his communication. He determined that the shank length would need to be different for each spur and that required a customized design that he couldn’t find anywhere else. After his accident, he noticed that he wasn’t communicating with his own horses the same way. While on the circuit he intently studied the way riders communicate with their horses through the bit and the spurs. His decades on the rodeo, reining, cutting and roping circuits gave him insights into the unserved needs of his future customers. Todd was raised on horses and competed at the collegiate and professional levels for many years. Todd launched Bowman Custom Spurs in 2010 in response to his need to be able to better communicate with his own horses after suffering life-changing injuries from a skydiving accident years earlier. Two hours later we ended the call and I was forever changed by his wealth of knowledge-about the horse industry, about the communication between horse and rider and, of course, about how to design and hand-craft custom bits and spurs. I expected to have a quick call so he could get back to his massive order but Todd was ever so gracious and took the time to share his industry insights and the intricate details of his business process. When I called to interview him for The Gritty Bit, he was chin-deep in producing custom silverwork for a high-end reining saddle company. I had the pleasure of speaking with Todd Bowman, master craftsman and owner of Bowman Custom Spurs, during the busiest season of the e-commerce industry-Thanksgiving week. The Gritty Bit: January - Bowman Custom Spurs
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