Children and spurs?

T

toffeeyummy

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 October 2011
Messages
313
Visit site
I am running the risk of getting shot down here, but what are the opinions of children wearing spurs on a very lazy pony? Used considerately, better than all that thump thump thump surely?
 
Depends on the child, depends on the pony!

With a lazy pony I would want all physical reasons for laziness (low grade laminitis, sub-clinical lameness, inadequate feeding, obesity, lack of fitness, bad hands, badly fitting saddle etc) ruled out before allowing the use of spurs.
 
IMO never a good combination!! surely you will just make the pony even more "dead to the leg"? I would try more schooling with him and poss a tap with whip if not listening... is child flapping rather then actually asking the pony to go forwards?
 
Last edited:
She does give him a good thump but I hate it, he must get sore ribs! A smack with the whip will produce a buck. She is in pony club so has regular lessons. It is THE most frustrating thing to watch. I think I stand there kicking myself!!!
 
toffeeyummy said:
She does give him a good thump but I hate it, he must get sore ribs! A smack with the whip will produce a buck. She is in pony club so has regular lessons. It is THE most frustrating thing to watch. I think I stand there kicking myself!!!
Click to expand...

lol! I know exactly what you mean! I have tought quite a few children to ride and the first thing I do is to teach them not to flap! Does he buck if smacked on the shoulder instead of the bum? have you tried ground work with him, moving him over to each side with pressure at the point of where your child`s heels would be? might help re-sensitize him to pressure in that area... I think maybe he does it because he knows he can get away with it to do less work and personally don`t think spurs would help.
 
Pony Club will not allow spurs to be worn unless approved by the DC or instructor, the child needs written permission to take part in any PC activity wearing them.
Some private lessons may be a good idea to get the pony more responsive.
 
I hate spurs on kids, to be honest, I've never seen one with a secure enough leg.. What do your PC instructors suggest?

It does sound as though the pony is just evading work - the bucking etc with the whip suggests that too. It would probably buck if you put spurs on the child too. I would keep on using the whip and riding through the bucks - give a good loud growl and a "get on", while putting the leg on.

Rotten things sometimes ponies - they know exactly how little and weak their riders are - put a bigger person on and suddenly they have halos! Usually all clicks just as the child outgrows them! They do learn a lot from these cheeky ponies though!
 
Yes I did wonder if he would buck with the spurs. We are hacking out as much as poss to keep him sweet, he's perhaps bored of being ridden in the field. His grazing is also restricted which hasn't put him in the best of moods either! Yes, she'll get anything going once she's finished with him!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top