Cuts from Spurs

MissSBird

MissSBird

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Hi

My sister was jumping her pony today, and after she'd finished to her horror she's discovered her spurs have been rubbing her pony's sides to the extend they've taken the skin off and draw a little blood. These have been dealt with and obviously no spurs will be worn until they're fully healed. It was strange as 'Dina' wasn't acting in a manner to suggest this was happening.

Having taken a closer look at her spurs, which are standard Prince of Wales, we can see that a sharp edge has developed which is obviously causing the problem. My sister has been wearing these spurs most times she's ridden for nearly 4 months now and we've never had a problem with them before. She hasn't changed the way she was wearing them or riding, and they were definatly on 'right'.

Obviously we want to take steps to make sure that this doesn't happen again. The spurs were first advised by a trusted instructor, and usually I'd turn to her for advise but she won't be out for lessons for another month as it's the show season. Can anyone advise me on a pair of BSJA legal spurs that would be better than the Prince of Wales in order to make sure this doesn't happen again?

Thanks in advance!
 
Try some impulse spurs
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Don't like spurs at all for anything. But if I had to use them it would only be for dressage. (so less leg movement). Personally I think their cruel. But please note this is only my opinion and has been since I was young when some peeps used to use those with the spiked wheel on. So I'd say don't wear any use other aids (none artificial).
 
She isnt chestnut is she? Mine has had the same. My spurs arent really sharp and have never caused a problem. I have bought some round ended ones but havent used them yet as like you want the rubs to heal. We think it might be due to her changing coat.

I have heard impulse spurs are good too but couldnt remember the name so couldnt find out where to get them lol!!!
 
You can get rounder ended ones, but if you don't take them off AS SOON AS you get off the horse, it is easy to put a scrape or sharp edge on them which is enough to rub a horse. it can be done simply by catching them on the ground of perhaps as you get into or out of a lorry perhaps? Hence why they shouldn't be worn dismounted.

Could that have happened at all? Lots of people seem to wander round all day in spurs at competitions, so its not suprising when it does.

I also had a cheap pair when I was a teenager which had a marked from where they had been moulded/cast, and that caused a little run once.
 
POW spurs can get quite sharp ended, ball ended are smoother.
But to mark like that suggest they are are being used with every leg aid.
 
madhector - thanks, those look like the ideal things!

flowerlady - A point well made, personally i think spurs are overused. But in this case it seemed better than constantly kicking her forwards; a few years of riding school style riding has made her very dead to the leg. She is getting better and we hope to be able to phase them out over time.

dozziesmum - she's black
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, but coincidentally enough is in the middle of a coat change, growing in what was a clipped area.

GeorginaFloppet - I'd never actually thought of that; she does walk in them. Never occured to me the damage that could happen. I'll make sure she doesn't in the new ones.
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Both my mares get rubs no matter what spurs I use! One is a very thin skinned chestnut and the other gets them when she is changing her coat
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I don't use them that much when I have them on, so it is not being caused my excessive use.

I put some vaseline on their sides to prevent them coming, which has so far worked
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However, I would let the horse's sides completely heal before using them again. Also, try to make sure you keep the ends clean (mine are very rounded and soft) as it also seems that when the grease from the coat builds up on the ends this then causes more friction.
 
If spurs cause marks to a horses sides it means the rider has insufficient control of the lower leg (too much movement) and also that the rider is turning the toes out. The lower leg should remain in its place with toes straight ahead unless lateral aids are being used or canter transitions. If the toe is turned out it naturally engages the heel in a more severe way causing the spurs to dig in constantly rather than when required. If she was one of my clients I would advise not to wear spurs until a little more work has been done on the lower leg stability and schooling for the pony to become a little quicker from my leg aid so that spurs are not actually needed.
 
Often it isn't the spur, but the strap where it passes through the spur that causes to rub.

There is a clear difference between the holes made by misuse of the spur and rubs on a horses sides.

The horse I know only wears spurs at a comp, so about 1/2 hour once a fortnight, this is still enough to mark when it is changing it's coat.
 
Dressage_Babe - I'm positive it's not misuse. For one thing I trust my instructor's opinion and she has a good general reputation. The other point is that this has suddenly happened when the spurs have been worn for a while now.

Thistle - Another interesting point, she did get new straps the other day.
 
Agree on the straps. Mine have been rubbing my horse too, and it creates a small area of bald and almost grazed skin. If that is the case it will be from the strp, if they are small deep bloody cuts, then it is the spur. Try and get hold of some round ended spurs, although they still create the "rubs" on my horse, (he has pink skin!) they dont create holes! I was paranoid it was my crap legs, but actually he got the rubs even with impuls spurs on!
 
Our rubs started with Impuls spurs and now rub even with tiny round bobble spurs. Unfortunately pony just doesn't really try without spurs, after 10 years as a PC pony she is immune to a 'good kick'
 
Goddy just needs them for the occasional "get on with you" encouragement
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Working on different types that may not rub him but work!!
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My horse has rubbed sides with no spurs. He is so thin skinned. He also has rubs where his reins go. Once the cut has healed toughen the skin up with white spirit. just rub it on twice a day for a couple of weeks.
 
Sounds like it's the new straps then. It is much more a long graze than a little deep cut. Will get the new spurs anyway, and switch the straps back.

Thankyou everyone for your help!
 
I very much doubt it's the metal, more the thicker part of the leather strap where it touches the horse when used.
I would give them a really good soak in leather conditioner or something like flexalan, and if they are really supple it shouldn't happen again.
Or try the nylon straps to see if that stops the problem.
If they look like rub marks it's very unlikely to be the actual use of the spurs.
 
Thats a good point! Never thought of that. Watching this thread as at the mo Im in the same boat!
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Couldnt understand why suddenly this is happening!
 
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