Any spur experts on here?

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wench

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Would anyone like to talk to me about spurs? Not something I'm a great expert on, as I have only ever really used the rollerball style.

Thinking I may need a slightly different sort for current horse though. The roller balls do an ok job, but I think I need something a little different. I know how to use spurs, and what they are for, before anyone gives me a lecture!

Would anyone be able to give me a low down on what sort of spurs would be your preference on different types of horses
 
I use Prince Of Wales spurs with quite a long neck on my very responsive and sensitive mare when SJing, eventing and hunting to give more precise aids. There are many different types of spur, here are a few:

As you will probably already know spurs are divided into length of the neck, with 1/4" being relatively small and then some being 2-3" long. Many competition rules limit the length of the neck.

Round end: end is a metal ball about the size of a small marble, making it one of the milder spurs. I'd use it on a horse for a
bit of responsiveness if 'dull' to the leg.

Knob end: end of the spur is squared off but blunted at the edges. Not very mild.

Prince of Wales: has a flat end, making is slightly sharper. This is a very popular spur, generally used to refine the aids and make it clearer to the horse what you asking them to do.

Disc: the end has a small rowel-like rolling disc without teeth, which allows the spur to roll on the horse's side when applied, decreasing chance of spur marks. Popular in dressage. Severity depends on thickness of disc.

Roller spur: end of the neck has a plastic roller, which moves as the horse's side is touched. This spur tends to reduce spur-rubs on sensitive horses. It is considered very mild.

Swan-neck: the neck of the spur goes upward at an angle, before leveling off, looking similar to the neck of a swan. This is commonly seen in dressage. I'm not a particular fan of this type of spur.

Waterford: the end of the neck has a large, round metal ball, making the spur softer and less likely to cause spur rubs. This is fairly 'kind' if used correctly.

Le spur (English) or Barrel Racing Spur (western): a spur with small "teeth" or ridges on the inside of the heel band, instead of a neck. For use, the rider does not have to turn in the heel. A quicker and more subtle design, but also more apt to be accidentally used when not intended so I don't advocate the use of this spur unless you're legs are VERY still and 'controlled'.

Hope this was of some help :)
 
I usually use roller balls or blunt ended spurs on F. The blunt ends rub him at coat change time (to be honest, everything rubs him at coat change time!) so I use roller balls then. I prefer the blunts as they're a little more precise than the rollers (and they are less rattly!). I could really use some swan necks though as the mechanics of getting my leg on a midget pony as a little troublesome!
 
LJR said:
I personally like swan neck spurs as I have really long legs, so I don't have to lift my heel so much when using them.
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EquiEquestrian556 said:
Swan-neck: the neck of the spur goes upward at an angle, before leveling off, looking similar to the neck of a swan. This is commonly seen in dressage. I'm not a particular fan of this type of spur.
Click to expand...

I use swan necks :) I'm 5ft8 on a 15hh teeny tiny boyo!!!!

They're a very mild spur as small and rounded, they are very effective at helping communicate with the horse on a narrow barrel and/or long legged rider.

Not seen very much though, at bigger competitions I have been pulled up for mine in the warm up (they are absolutely, categorically, 100% BD legal) as some stewards and competitors aren't sure what they are.
 
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nikkimariet said:
I use swan necks :) I'm 5ft8 on a 15hh teeny tiny boyo!!!!

They're a very mild spur as small and rounded, they are very effective at helping communicate with the horse on a narrow barrel and/or long legged rider.

Not seen very much though, at bigger competitions I have been pulled up for mine in the warm up (they are absolutely, categorically, 100% BD legal) as some stewards and competitors aren't sure what they are.
Click to expand...

I was looking for blinged up swan necks recently. Couldn't find them anywhere. I suppose I should stop being a child and just buy plain ones :p
 
Thanks for the replies, has definatly helped.

I asked the question because my horse needs spurs on when away from home. I've tried without, and all I get is horse shuffling around, I put my rollerball spurs on, and shuffling horse magically has transformed into her normal forward going self.

The next trick I need to combat is going around corners bent in totally the wrong direction because we are spooking/gorping at something to ensure we don't have to work properly.

Therefore with this horse, I'd be pretty sure that a different type of spur will help me (I know they are not for stabbing into the side of a horse), but once she gets into spook/gorp mode, it's very hard to do anything with her, and I think the spurs may help!
 
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