Help with spurs!!

DanniRenske

DanniRenske

Active Member
Joined
19 December 2009
Messages
38
Location
Shifnal, Shropshire
Visit site
My riding instructor has said I should try using some spurs whilst riding my mare to encourage her to move off my leg a bit more, I admit I know nothing about spurs.

Are they like bits, in that there a strong ones and gentler ones?
Which ones would be good to start with?

Any hints/help are much appreciated.
 
They do come in different lengths and different shapes on the end. I am guessing if its your instructor that is suggesting it then she knows whether you have enough control over your lower leg to use them correctly.
Personally if my horse doesn't go from a small nudge I then ask with a bigger kick if they still dont react I ask witha nudge and a flick of my schooling whip till they react then go back to a small nudge and repeat it needed. I dont tend to wear spurs.
The best exercise I find with my horse to get her to liven up and spring of my leg is reinback to canter. But generally loads of transition between and within the paces. Do you use a schooling whip?
 
I like the rounded ones, like this http://www.malcolmdunningsaddlery.c...s/590-stainless-steel-solid-roller-ball-spurs
or this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/-SHIRES-ROLLE...511569&cguid=57b1870812e0a479ed96f726fe865611
I would only wear them in your lessons until you are happy with them, and I wouldn't use them at all unless you have a nice stable lower leg.
I have to admit that with my 'lazy off the leg' mare, spurs weren't the answer for us. If the schooling isn't there then they are just another aid to ignore! I would ask first with a squeeze, if no response then I would give a little kick, if still no response then a flick with a schooling whip. I would stick to this every single time I wanted her to move forward. She is v off the leg now and a v responsive girl - I think I would go into orbit now if I wacked a pair of spurs on. I wanted her to move off from a squeeze and she does now - much easier and more pleasant to ride!
 
Hmm, I was really interested in the replies to this as my instructor has said the same and I've never ridden in spurs either.

So, if as you've guys have said, they aren't to get the horse moving off the leg better, then what are they for? Not meant to be a stroppy question, I'm genuinely interested! :D
 
To me spurs are used for refining your aids when you are giving precise aids for movements like half pass or piaffe. But by that level a change in how the rider is sat to put more or less weight on one side of seat bone might be enough of an aid for some movements.
I think spurs easily get over used with some horses and when the horse stops reacting to a dig from the spurs I have seen riders go and put bigger spurs on...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top