Hooray for spurs!! (and a question about spurs)

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bex1984

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I have attempted to use spurs on Murphy before, and failed, mainly because my saddle didn't fit me and i couldn't get my legs on...

...Anyway, having spent 10 hours yesterday watching Elementary BD, I felt inspired to try again
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And it worked
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Murphy actually moved when asked!!

So...what I'm wondering is, how often should I use them? Murphy is reeeeeeaaaaallllyyy lazy so it was great not to have to kick kick kick (and whip whip whip
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) but if I use them too often I'm guessing he'll just ignore them??
 
i was recommended to try spurs on poppy once, bout some nice wee ones but never got round to trying them so i would be interested to hear this too
 
I use spurrs on my very lazy boy a couple of times when schooling then leave them off until he stops responding again.... I never use them for hacking...
 
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I use spurrs on my very lazy boy a couple of times when schooling then leave them off until he stops responding again.... I never use them for hacking...

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so maybe just use them once or twice, and then take them off and see if he's got the message? But what if he just goes back to ignoring me again?
 
I would use them for schooling for a bit then try without, dont hack in them etc.

Frank had always been ridden in them before I got him, I can school without sometimes but mostly I think they have made him less off the leg
 
I used them for a while, worked by getting him moving of my leg. . . i only schooled him in them.

Have not put them back on in a few months as one session i forgot to put them on and he was right of my leg, and it has always been that way now and i have no need for them at the moment.

i think they are worth trying
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Just because you wear them doesn't mean you have to use them, If your leg is good enough you can chose whether to use them or not and thats the best way, ie use your leg and if no reaction then engage the spurs, that way they are always there if he choses to ignore you that time. Practice and you will get the hang of it
 
Fascinated by this as I was going to post about spurs too! I was thinking of selling my cob a week ago as he just wouldn't move, to the point where if I came to a nice spot for a canter on a hack there was no point because I could barely make him trot, never mind canter!
I am a nervous but fairly experienced rider so bought some impuls spurs at a show a couple of weeks ago as a last resort, but didn't dare use them! A 14 yr old boy had a ride on Sherman last week and after about 5 minutes asked if he could use spurs, so I said yes. The difference was amazing!

So when I hacked last Friday, I put them on. Straight away I could tell a difference as he was really power walking, and if I didnt get the correct response I used the spurs. They are quite kind spurs with a plastic ball on, so I dont feel cruel!

So, its like hes had a personality transplant, and hes changed into a lovely, willing ride, but still mega safe and sensible which is why I bought him in the first place. Whats more, he doesnt seem to resent them, and is going forward willingly and with his ears pricked!
So I echo your sentiment - hooray for spurs!
 
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So, its like hes had a personality transplant, and hes changed into a lovely, willing ride, but still mega safe and sensible which is why I bought him in the first place. Whats more, he doesnt seem to resent them, and is going forward willingly and with his ears pricked!
So I echo your sentiment - hooray for spurs!

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That is exactly what it was like with Murphy yesterday! Once he got the idea that he needed to go forward he had a great time and I took him out in the field and we actually had a gallop. Everybody was commenting on the difference in him. He can, if he chooses, completely ignore my leg (despite pony club kicks) but he doesn't ignore the spurs!
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Thanks for all the advice guys, think I'll try using them a few more times and get used to them, I think I can keep them on and use my leg without them so will start using them as back-up once he starts listening to me!!
 
remember lots and lots of praise too!!! that will seriously reduce how long you have to use them for
sometimes horse just don't understand so when you do get the right response MAKE A BIG DEAL about it so there is no mistaking he has done the right thing


good luck
 
LOL, If I overdo the praise with Frank, ie a spot on canter transition he thinks great, done that I can stop now in the past he seems to have learnt praise=rest!
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I have to be careful only to praise him once we have finished the exercise!
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though i do through in the odd good boy when he is trying!
 
I totally overdo the praise with my voice and I can see his little ears flicking about listening to me, he loves being told he's a good boy. If I pat him he thinks that means he's finished!
 
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