Advice on spurs please...

[its_noodles]

Hello everyone,
My instructor today says I can use spurs for my private lessons. I have never worn spurs before and she lent me hers. Could I have some advice on choosing spurs? I come across some "John Whitaker Nylon Spurs" made of nylon. Are they better (or kinder) than the metal ones? Many thanks in advance...

 

[kc100]

I've never seen the nylon spurs but they look good actually!

I doubt nylon/metal would make much of a difference but then again you never know. The main bit that could potentially 'hurt' the horse is the bit that sticks out, the part that touches the horse's side.

Many people use these roller ball type spurs as they think they are kinder but I've heard many an awful story about the ball falling off and leaving 2 very sharp pieces of metal protruding into the horse's side so I've been put off those.

I personally (I'm new to spurs as well, only just bought my first pair after my instructor persuaded me to, seen as I'm a shorty on a giant 17.3 horse!) use the shortest ended spurs I could find, that tilt down slightly - think they are called prince of wales spurs. These apparently dont jab the horse quite so much. I bought mine (only cheap ones) that are about 15mm so very short and so far so good, I've noticed a difference in a good way with the horse's responsiveness and I havent hurt him at all.

But those John Whitaker ones slope downwards and are good value so they look like a good buy, alternatively just have a look at other prince of wales spurs and you shouldnt go too wrong.