The Discovery Channel stopped in Sheridan, Wyoming to film Tom Balding Bits & Spurs to feature them on an upcoming episode of "How It's Made". The show has more than 130 million viewers in over 200 countries and will show people how real cowboy gear is made.

When the episode airs you will be able to see how Tom Balding makes his switchback bit with a Catalina mouthpiece. Balding told the Billings Gazette that he & his marketing director, Leight Vineyard, have been talking for a year about stepping up their publicity efforts. They sent the Discovery Channel producer a link to their website. After producers watched the videos they decided it was a natural fit.

"Cowboys are iconic throughout the world and a symbol of American culture and heritage," producer Francois Senecal said.

Since Balding made one of his more complicated bits (which usually takes 2 days to build), he pre-assembled parts. This allowed him to show the bit in various stages before being finished but it also helped seppe up filming time.

"They had asked us to build the fanciest bit, fanciest pair of spurs, and a fancy belt buckle," Balding said. "There is a minimum of 150 steps to build the three items and it can be close to 200."

This isn't Tom Balding first tv appearance, if you check out the bit on Mattie Ross's horse in the new "True Grit" you can spot their Cody shank bit. The "How It's Made" episode is scheduled to air within the next 6-9 months. Be sure to check back with Tom Balding Bits so you won't miss it!  

**Photos are courtesy of Tom Balding Bits & Spurs**