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As a young man, Harwood learned the basics of his art
in a shop in Soda Springs, Idaho. He worked hard at learning, and
quickly gained a following. Trainers, pleasure riders, working cowboys,
and ranchers became—and remained—the mainstays of his
business. They depended upon his preciseness and perfection, and they
were never disappointed in his product.
During that period of apprenticeship, Harwood practiced listening
to the masters and following in their steps. Those years proved to
be the best possible foundation for the lifetime of acclaimed saddlemaking
that was to follow.
He opened a shop and retail business in 1961, which he maintained
until 1982. At that time, he liquidated the business and moved his
saddle and tree shop to his home on an acreage outside Idaho Falls.
His need for perfection continues. From start to finish, Harwood
controls the quality of his saddles, processing his own rawhide, and
making his own saddle trees.
His secret, perhaps, is that making saddles is all he ever wanted
to do. He has followed a lifetime passion, and his commitment to the
best possible work has added to his reputation as one of America's
finest western gear artisans.
He has a passion for the history of his art, and he is determined
to pass these lost techniques on to tomorrow's saddlemakers. But for
Harwood, it's more than just the creativity. Making saddles is about
connecting with his western heritage.
His work is in demand by horsemen around the world and his work has
been exhibited at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, where
he received Best of Show in 1997, and at Trappings of the West in
Flagstaff, Arizona. Writer Casey Beard included a profile on Harwood
in his book, Tools Of The Cowboy Trade.
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