How did this happen?
So... to make a short story long.... my friend of 25 years invented a new training thing for horse people. Seriously, it's a new thing that was so unique she patented it! I helped to develop and design the concept, and now we're poised to release it publicly. In doing so, we formed a company (called LevelTeq) with several investors. (Click to keep reading!)
OUR JOURNEYS
In launching the LevelTeq Heel Trainer, we quickly realized that because the armature is based on a typical spur, people are going to want spur straps! And not just any old spur straps. Sure, you can order some from your favorite online tack store; or if you're lucky enough to have a local brick and mortar shop, have a new excuse to "just pick up one thing"... ha! If you're like me, you'll also need a new saddle pad, probably a blingy browband, and of course a new set of brushes for your favorite steed. And lead ropes. So many lead ropes.
Then you get home and open the bag and pull out your plain, boring black spur straps. Maybe they'll have a charm or a fancy buckle... but they'll fade right into your nice black show boots.
Heck no! I wanted colors!! Colors make me happy! So I looked around to find colored straps that we can offer with the main product. Oh, I forgot to mention, the Heel Trainers also have applications in physical therapy, and a good portion of the clients will be children (more on that later). And we all know, kids love colors too! The product might be worn for hours at a time, inside and out, no telling yet.
Well... I didn't find much at all. I found fancy painted leather straps on Etsy. Those were really beyond our pricing strategy, and honestly we have doubts that they'll hold up with being worn for hours every day. More research uncovered some brightly colored rubber straps. Unfortunately, the reviews were poor (it's mass produced - most likely in a factory overseas) and it didn't seem like the quality we want to offer. Plus I've never seen them "in the wild"... and that ought to say something. I did find some Etsy makers willing to try out the straps... but their prices... whew. Some of them wanted more for *one strap than we wanted to sell two for!
So I got the idea to make our own. We tried some soft nylon which looked pretty good, but isn't a good choice for being worn in dusty, dirty or wet conditions. One slog through a muddy arena and they would dry crusty and stiff - blech!
Then I discovered BioThane® Turns out, it's made in America which fits in perfectly with our "source local" standard. The Heel Trainer is completely made in Michigan - electronics, plastics and metal, so we really wanted to either make the straps ourselves or find someone close to help manufacture them. I could have them made overseas, but it took away from our sourcing goals, and the minimum quantities were terribly high - in some cases, it costs more for freight than the actual product - and there's no way we could risk buying several hundred at a time.


Next thought was, making them ourselves. I *am a bit crafty but soon realized that I don't have the patience for it. We were willing to invest in the equipment, but don't have the time and space it takes to both make and stock inventory. We got as far as ordering supplies and then I had a eureka moment!
One thing Midwestern horse people know is the reputation of the Amish community for harness making and quality craftsmanship. But... being Amish, most of them don't have a web presence. It took some perseverance (okay, mostly I'm stubborn and had to believe we'd find someone) but I finally found a harness shop who agreed to make some samples for us, and to manufacture straps on a small scale.
And now it's well past my bedtime so I'll take up this story a bit later. Thanks for reading and I hope you stay with us for more!

