Spurs… Why? Why not?

Posted by Ali on September 6, 2010

I’ve heard people talk about spurs… Some love them, some hate them… The truth is, any piece of equipment in the wrong hands is dangerous – including spurs. Some spurs are extremely sharp and are capable of cutting the horses skin if not used properly! However, properly used spurs can help you gain fine control over every part of your horse’s body, helping your connection and communication.

What should spurs be used for?

Spurs, in my opinion, should be used to gain better control over the horse’s body. Annie, my haflinger mare, was very “dead-sided” – she didn’t listen to my legs very well. When we started working on the shoulder-in, quarter turns, leg yields, etc. it became very hard for me to move her body because she didn’t listen to my legs. I don’t like to kick a lot for lateral work, so I knew it was time for me to use spurs on her.

There are cases when you have a horse that does listen to your leg, such as my first horse, Cisco. He knew where your legs were all the time. I ended up introducing spurs on him to gain finer control over our aids and get a little more try out of him for half-passing, renvers, travers, etc. So I needed spurs with him at a later point in his training than Annie’s because he listened to your legs better than Annie.

So you should use spurs when your horse isn’t listening to your legs, or you feel you would like finer control over your aids. This will strengthen the communication and connection between you and your horse.

What Spurs Should Never be Used For…

Spurs should never be used to get more speed out of your horse, or as harsh punishment for your horse. If you need more speed out of your horse, don’t kick them harder with the spur, that could break the skin and create a nasty sore on your horses sides. If you need more get up, use a crop or dressage whip – but again, don’t beat your horse with it. Spurs should not be used for harsh punishment. Now, if your horse isn’t listening to your leg, you can press it into them, but you shouldn’t kick a horse with spurs, again, you could break the skin on your horse’s side. This is my personal opinion, nothing more, nothing less.

Am I ready for spurs?

Spurs are not for the beginner rider. If misused even on accident, the rider or horse could be seriously injured. Only use spurs if you’re an experienced rider and if you feel you need them. You should really have good control over your legs if you want to use spurs. A more beginner rider has no idea where their legs are when riding – not ready for spurs! You should be able to pay attention to your heels and legs when you ride without them, and know where you leg falls on your horse’s sides. If it is your first time trying spurs, you should really have someone else there with you, preferably someone more experienced, but at least someone to help incase you need it.

Introducing Spurs to Your Horse for the First Time

Convinced your horse needs spurs? Ok.. So now you want to jump on and go right? Well.. That’s one way to do it. Another way (the safer way) is to let your horse feel what the spurs feel like on the ground, without you on them. From the ground go to your horse’s side and stand facing their haunches at about the shoulder/cinch area. Take the spur in your hand and gently apply pressure where your leg will be. Apply the pressure until your horse moves away, then release the pressure. Do this on both sides.

Then, when you put your spurs on and get on your horse, get them to disengage their hindquarters this same way. Apply the pressure, when they move their hind-end around take the pressure away. Start out slowly, and remember you have them on! It can be easy to forget you have spurs on if you aren’t used to wearing them, and that can get you into trouble!

Personally, I would recommend using a blunt pair of spurs the first time you introduce them to your horse. If you don’t have blunt spurs, simply use duct tape or electrical tape and tape up the rowel. This will create a big blunt ball on the end of your spur. Since I don’t show, this is what I use for my horse, Annie, and what I used on my gelding, Cisco.

Wrap up…

I’ve seen plenty of people who use spurs correctly, and plenty that misuse them. I actually worked at a western pleasure QH barn and some of the young horses in training had huge wholes on their sides where the skin and hair had been removed from the rider’s spurs… Needless to say I didn’t work there very much longer – it was heartbreaking! That is not training, and not how spurs should ever be used Mrs. Dias…

Thanks for reading!

Ali