I was first introduced to Preston Williams, after getting to know Preston’s better half, his wife, Garrell at
the cow horse shows. From the first time I used a Preston Williams bit, it was evident that this was the
quality craftsmanship I was looking for both to add to my personal tack room, and offer through AD
Tack. Since our first introduction, I have used his bits almost daily.

Preston like many skilled horsemen, has always been interested in bits, “I’ve always been the guy that if I
go to your house, I’m going to be in your tack room looking at your stuff.” Says Preston.

An avid roper and horseman, Preston started working on bits in the early 2000’s, making bits for himself
and his friends. By 2013, he had made a business out of it. Tinkering with bits in the shop, trying them on
their horses, and making adjustments before repeating the cycle helped Preston to develop the style he is
now known for. “I’ve rode and roped my whole life. I learned a lot about what I liked and didn’t like. I
trained some rope horses and I listened to my friends.”

Preston credits one of those good friends, with helping him to get his start and showing him the
techniques he uses to this day. “I became good friends with Gordy Alderson,” Williams said. “He taught
me pretty much everything I know, as far as the construction of bits.” As Preston continued to work in the shop, he slowly started to develop his own unique style. He prefers to use cold rolled steel also known as “sweet iron” in his bit making, the steel is cleaner and harder, and is more palatable to the horse.
Preston and Garrell’s experience in the cow horse has also been a major asset in his bit making, beyond just knowing the equipment rules and making legal bits, he also understands the unique needs of his customers based on their event.

For example, “Most of my snaffles are straight. Most people that are buying my snaffles are going down the fence so they want as much snaffle as they can have. Having it be straight across gives it a little more bite,” says Preston.

Having the knowledge and understanding of some of the unique needs of his customers helps Preston to
build a bit that works for his customer and their horse. He strives to give his bits the perfect feel and
continues to learn by listening to what his customers have to say. “I think my experience from training
helps with knowing what works and what hasn’t worked for me. I always ask people for feedback. It
doesn’t matter who it is, I take it.” Preston says. Many of the bits he creates also feature intricate silver work, designed, cut and soldered by Garrell and then engraved by Preston.

Preston William’s is well known for his signature “Magic Bit” when asked about how he came to the
design, he said, “It’s hard to design a new shank, pretty much everything has been done. But the mouthpiece is similar to one of my favorite bits made by a guy out of Oklahoma. Thicker bars and a
wider port. I’ve always loved the clapper style shank so I put it in that. And it just became magical.”
Preston’s bits have been extremely popular in the cutting, cow horse and roping events. You can see his
hardware hanging in the tack rooms of some of the most talented professionals in their respective events.
Cade Rice. Dakota Kirkenschlager, Les Oswald, Matt Miller, Todd Crawford, and Nick Dowers, are just a few of the many talented horsemen seen sporting Preston Williams Hardware in the show and practice pen.
Preston and Garrell don’t stop with bits either. His silver work is a stunning addition to headstall buckles, belt buckles, spurs, and other award items. There are two things that make a horse work its best, good hands and the right bit. Preston William’s Hardware has the right bits.