Children and Spurs

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Haflinger

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Yes, sort of following on from the various 'gadget kids' posts, sorry!

What are your general opinions on children/people under say 16 or there abouts, using spurs?
I know a lot of people seem to have quite strong feelings about this!

I am 13, and personally think I can use spurs correctly, not as a 'go faster' tool, but as a leg aid backup. I wear them whilst jumping my mare, as she can back off a fence and respects them, so jumps better in them - she is senstitive, so I know that if I were constantly prodding her with them and using them incorrectly she would let me know! I also school a pony for someone, and wear spurs on that, again to back up leg as it can go dead against a normal leg aid and refuse to move, so it gets a quick prod to stop this - again, it would certainly let me know if I was badly using them!
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What are your opinions?
 
My opinion is pretty much the same as yours, I'm 13 and use short spurs (about 2cm as this is the lognest aloud in junior BSJA) as Boomer is a spooky pony and backs off bright fences. A lot of people think I'm crazy up my yard as Boomer is known to be strong, but they don't understand that spurs simply back up your leg aid, they don't make your horse go faster (unless you want them to). I think as long as the rider has a stable lower leg and knows how to use them responsibly, they are fine
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Hmmm
Its a difficult one but
little kids - No
Older children that can control theyre lower leg and understand the aid - Yes
 
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Same goes for whips IMO as well.

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Agreed !!

Seems that spurs have become more of a fashion accesorry (sp) than an actual necassarry aid
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Def depends on the rider and not age, I see some adults that shouldn't wear them!!
But in general, no I don't like to see them on children. In fact personally, I don't like to see them at all. But do understand they are necessary in SOME cases.
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I ride my pony in spurs occasionaly for flatwork. We don't jump much so I don't use them for that. Before I got her, Roxy was always ridden in spurs for lateral work. If I'm not wearing spurs she doesn't really understand. I think they are useful for applying a more precise aid.

I think the pony club has the right idea on spurs - only allowing people to use them if they have permission.

I'm 15 btw, and believe that on the odd occasion that I use spurs, I don't do damage.
 
I am not keen on seeing children wearing spurs, or anyone who does not have a secure lower leg. I agree with the BSPS rule of no spurs under sixteen.
 
I wear spurs
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I'm 16 and have done for a year started just for a back up in the showring but now for eveything except hacking
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wear spurs but they are the impulse ones - i find that they boost my confidence xc as i know i have an extra tool if need be!

sounds strange, but i like knowing that i have them if i need them, and i definately feel more confident wearing them xc.
 
Not if a child is in the habit of flapping legs and kick kick kick, no. But then again might depend on the pony they were riding - a few bucked off moments might make the child think twice about how hard their leg aids need to be!

only joking by the way please don't report me to rspca and rspcc!
 
I think the Pony Club has the right idea - you need your B test I think before you can wear them without a letter from your DC.

Age alone is not a qualification. How about someone who starts riding at 16? Should they be allowed to wear spurs automatically?

Someone (not instructor) suggested the other day that my daughter (13) should try spurs on a mare that she was riding. I said no. I think she's a pretty good little jockey, but she had only ridden this mare 3 times, needs to learn how to use her legs, and isn't quite stable enough in her lower leg (IMO) to use them properly just yet.

I hate to see little kids SJ in spurs.
 
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Same goes for whips IMO as well.

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Agreed !!

Seems that spurs have become more of a fashion accesorry (sp) than an actual necassarry aid
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Definitely! I think they see the SJ'ers wearing them & want to copy
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I don't know about anyone else but when I was taught to ride it was without a whip & if we got a bit cocky & asked for one our instructor always asked us why we felt we needed one? 9/10 she would show us other ways around it & prove that you don't always need a whip. I didn't learn to use a whip until I was about 12/13 & even then it was a last resort to use it on the horse.

I'm going to sound so old here but where has all the old fashioned teaching gone?
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It is one of my pet hates to see children at shows with their pony in a gag, chin tucked into it's chest while they're spurred & whipped up. Where is the need?!
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I'm sure some DO need them & DO know how to use them but I'd love to see the ones that aren't skillful/experienced enough & the ones that only have them for show to not be allowed to use them
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