Flaharty Bits & Spurs
Troy Flaharty: Master Bit and Spur Maker
Troy Flaharty is a world-class artisan and professional bit and spur maker based in Hico, Texas. As a member of the prestigious Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA), Flaharty is recognized for blending high-performance functionality with elite western artistry. His work is highly sought after by professional barrel racers, ropers, and horsemen who require precision-engineered gear.
Background and Career
Raised in a family of Western performance horse trainers, Flaharty’s craftsmanship is rooted in real-world experience. He competed in rodeo on a scholarship to Fort Scott Community College, where he attended his first fundamental bit-making workshop. For over twenty years, he has balanced the life of a working cowboy—training horses and ranching in Kansas and Oklahoma—with the technical evolution of his craft.
In 2010, Flaharty shifted his focus toward the artistic side of the trade after attending a workshop at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This journey led to him winning the TCAA Emerging Artist Competition in 2015 and a subsequent TCAA fellowship, eventually earning him full membership in the association in 2023.
Signature Craftsmanship
Flaharty Bits and Spurs are known for their balance, "feel," and innovative use of materials like Chromalloy and Damascus steel. His collections, such as the Betty, Marne, and Duke lines, are staples in the barrel racing industry.
Quick Facts:
- Location: Hico, Texas
- Specialties: Handmade bits, custom spurs, silver engraving, and Damascus steel work.
- Affiliations: Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) Member.
- Notable Awards: TCAA Fellowship recipient, TCAA Emerging Artist Competition Winner (2015).
- Education: Fort Scott Community College (Rodeo Scholarship).
Flaharty Big Duke Square 4pc Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Square 4pc The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in cheek and 1:1 ...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Hexagon Dogbone Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Hexagon Dogbone with Copper Roller The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Twisted Wire Lifesaver Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Twisted Wire Lifesaver The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in che...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Rebar Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Rebar Snaffle The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in cheek and 1:...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Smooth Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Smooth Snaffle The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in cheek and 1...
View full detailsFlaharty Lil' Marne Square Mullen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Lil' Marne - 6" Mouthpiece: Square Mullen The Little Marne has a shorter cheek of 6 in. and weighs ...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Solid Port Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Solid Port The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in cheek and 1:1...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Correction Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Correction The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in cheek and 1:1...
View full detailsFlaharty Duke Square 4pc Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Duke - 7 3/4" Mouthpiece: Square 4pc The Duke weighs 5.6 oz and has a 7.75 in cheek and 1:1 ratio. ...
View full detailsFlaharty Duke Smooth Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Duke - 7 3/4" Mouthpiece: Smooth Snaffle The Duke weighs 5.6 oz and has a 7.75 in cheek and 1:1 rati...
View full detailsFlaharty Duke Mullen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Duke - 7 3/4" Mouthpiece: Smooth Mullen The Duke weighs 5.6 oz and has a 7.75 in cheek and 1:1 ratio...
View full detailsFlaharty Duke Solid Port Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Duke - 7 3/4" Mouthpiece: Solid Port The Duke weighs 5.6 oz and has a 7.75 in cheek and 1:1 ratio. T...
View full detailsFlaharty Lil' Circle Gag Rebar Loose Port Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Lil' Circle Gag - 6 3/4" Mouthpiece: Rebar Loose Port with Copper Roller
Flaharty Lil' Circle Gag Chain Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Lil' Circle Gag - 6 3/4" Mouthpiece: Chain
Flaharty Lil' Circle Gag Square Twist 4pc Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Lil' Circle Gag - 6 3/4" Mouthpiece: Square Twist 4pc
Flaharty D-Ring Square Center Chain Bit
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Cheek: D-Ring Mouthpiece: Square Center Chain
Flaharty Circle Gag Smooth Snaffle Bit
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Shank: Circle Gag - 8.5" Mouthpiece: Smooth Snaffle
Flaharty Patty Slow Twist Billy Allen Bit
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Same cheek as the Marne. The longer gag allows a slower reaction than the Marne, but a quicker reaction than the Betty o...
View full detailsFlaharty Duke Square Snaffle Bit
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Shank: Duke - 7.75" Mouthpiece: Square Snaffle The Duke weighs 5.6 oz and has a 7.75 in cheek and 1:1 ratio. This bit ...
View full detailsFlaharty Reg'lar Betty Combo Rebar Snaffle Bit
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Shank: Betty - 7.5" Mouthpiece: Rebar Snaffle Measurements are Approximate
Flaharty Slow Twist Correction Bridle Rig w/Single Ear Headstall
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Headstall: Single Ear with a Rod Teuscher Buckle Reins: New Rope Reins Mouthpiece: Slow Twist Correction Cheek: 7 1/4" Curb: Chai...
View full detailsFlaharty Hinge Port Bridle Rig w/Split Ear Headstall
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Headstall: Split Ear Reins: Rope Reins Mouthpiece: Hinge Port with Copper Roller Cheek: Calvary - 7 1/4" Curb: Chain with Nylon ...
View full detailsFlaharty O-Ring Slow Twist Billy Allen
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Cheek: O-Ring Mouthpiece: Slow Twist Billy Allen The O-Ring weighs 5.6 oz. with a 3 in diameter. Classic design that ever...
View full detailsFlaharty O-Ring Smooth Billy Allen
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Cheek: O-Ring Mouthpiece: Smooth Billy Allen The O-Ring weighs 5.6 oz. with a 3 in diameter. Classic design that every ho...
View full detailsFlaharty O-Ring 4 piece Square Bit
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Cheek: O-Ring Mouthpiece: 4 piece Square The O-Ring weighs 5.6 oz. with a 3 in diameter. Classic design that every horse ...
View full detailsFlaharty O-Ring Chain Dogbone w/Roller
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Cheek: O-Ring Mouthpiece: 3 piece Copper Bars with dogbone and copper roller The O-Ring weighs 5.6 oz. with a 3 in diamet...
View full detailsFlaharty O-Ring Square Lifesaver Bit
FlahartyFlaharty Bits and Spurs Cheek: O-Ring Mouthpiece: Square with Lifsaver The O-Ring weighs 5.6 oz. with a 3 in diameter. Classic design that every ...
View full detailsFlaharty Banana 4-Piece Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Banana - 9" Mouthpiece: 4-Piece The Banana Gag weighing at 10.4 oz and a 9 in. cheek. The Banana dem...
View full detailsFlaharty Lil' Circle Gag Dogbone Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Lil' Circle Gag - 6 3/4" Mouthpiece: Dogbone with Copper Bars & Copper Roller
Flaharty Patty Hexagon Center Chain Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Patty - 7 1/2" Mouthpiece: Hexagon Center Chain Same cheek as the Marne. The longer gag allows a...
View full detailsFlaharty Dolly Smooth Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Dolly - 8 1/2" Mouthpiece: Smooth Snaffle The Dolly Cheek is slightly longer than the Big Betty ...
View full detailsFlaharty Dolly Correction Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Dolly - 8 1/2" Mouthpiece: Correction The Dolly Cheek is slightly longer than the Big Betty with...
View full detailsFlaharty Fat Marne Rebar Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Fat Marne - 7 1/2" Mouthpiece: Rebar Snaffle The Fat Marne has a 1:1 ratio and is the same as th...
View full detailsFlaharty Marne Smooth Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Marne - 7 1/2" Mouthpiece: Smooth Snaffle The Marne Cheek has a 1:1 ratio with very minimal gag ...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Slow Twist Billy Allen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Slow Twist Billy Allen The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 i...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Twisted Wire Billy Allen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Twisted Wire Billy Allen The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Smooth Mullen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Smooth Mullen The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in cheek a...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Square Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Square Snaffle The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in cheek ...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Smooth Dogbone Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Smooth Dogbone with Copper Roller The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and h...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Duke Square Center Chain Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Duke - 8 3/4" Mouthpiece: Square Center Chain The Big Duke weighs 3.5 oz and has a 8.75 in c...
View full detailsFlaharty Duke Twisted Wire Billy Allen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Duke - 7 3/4" Mouthpiece: Twisted Wire Billy Allen The Duke weighs 5.6 oz and has a 7.75 in cheek...
View full detailsFlaharty Duke Smooth Dogbone Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Duke - 7 3/4" Mouthpiece: Smooth Dogbone with Copper Roller The Duke weighs 5.6 oz and has a 7.75 ...
View full detailsFlaharty Reg'lar Fat Betty Smooth Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Reg'lar Fat Betty - 7 1/2" Mouthpiece: Smooth Snaffle The Reg'lar Fat Betty weighs 8.6 oz and has 7....
View full detailsFlaharty Big Fat Betty Smooth Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Fat Betty - 8" Mouthpiece: Smooth Snaffle The Big Fat Betty weighs 9.6 oz with 8 in. cheek with ...
View full detailsFlaharty Big Fat Betty Slow Twist Billy Allen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Big Fat Betty - 8" Mouthpiece: Slow Twist Billy Allen The Big Fat Betty weighs 9.6 oz with 8 in. che...
View full detailsFlaharty Lil' Fat Betty Slow Twist Billy Allen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Little Fat Betty - 6 1/2" Mouthpiece: Slow Twist Billy Allen The Little Fat Betty weighs 7.6 oz with...
View full detailsFlaharty Lil' Marne Smooth Snaffle Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Little Marne - 6" Mouthpiece: Smooth Snaffle The Little Marne has a shorter cheek of 6 in. and weigh...
View full detailsFlaharty Lil' Marne Slow Twist Billy Allen Bit
FlahartyMaker: Flaharty Bits & Spurs Shank: Little Marne - 6" Mouthpiece: Slow Twist Billy Allen The Little Marne has a shorter cheek of 6 in. a...
View full detailsFlaharty Bits & Spurs
Troy Flaharty: Master Bit and Spur Maker
Troy Flaharty is a world-class artisan and professional bit and spur maker based in Hico, Texas. As a member of the prestigious Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA), Flaharty is recognized for blending high-performance functionality with elite western artistry. His work is highly sought after by professional barrel racers, ropers, and horsemen who require precision-engineered gear.
Background and Career
Raised in a family of Western performance horse trainers, Flaharty’s craftsmanship is rooted in real-world experience. He competed in rodeo on a scholarship to Fort Scott Community College, where he attended his first fundamental bit-making workshop. For over twenty years, he has balanced the life of a working cowboy—training horses and ranching in Kansas and Oklahoma—with the technical evolution of his craft.
In 2010, Flaharty shifted his focus toward the artistic side of the trade after attending a workshop at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This journey led to him winning the TCAA Emerging Artist Competition in 2015 and a subsequent TCAA fellowship, eventually earning him full membership in the association in 2023.
Signature Craftsmanship
Flaharty Bits and Spurs are known for their balance, "feel," and innovative use of materials like Chromalloy and Damascus steel. His collections, such as the Betty, Marne, and Duke lines, are staples in the barrel racing industry.
Quick Facts:
- Location: Hico, Texas
- Specialties: Handmade bits, custom spurs, silver engraving, and Damascus steel work.
- Affiliations: Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) Member.
- Notable Awards: TCAA Fellowship recipient, TCAA Emerging Artist Competition Winner (2015).
- Education: Fort Scott Community College (Rodeo Scholarship).