Numpty Q regarding spurs?

caitlineloise

caitlineloise

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Hi all,

Stupid question, I think I need some spurs for my haffy, he is much better with a squeeze or dig than a kick, but constantly squeezing is too much!

Now here come's the stupid question:o if I use spurs on him, and he becomes better, will I then always have to use them? I hope people know what I mean, I feel like a right prat! :D

Also, what would be the best spurs to use? He will go with a squeeze but it's hard to keep him going, I don't think he understands sometimes, because his previous owner used spurs and I think he was just incredibly used to it.

Thanks!
 
I made the mistake of using spurs with my boy, and when I took them off he was worse than before. So then I started Schooling him without spurs, but expecting a swift response from the leg. If i didnt get it i backed it up with the whip. A few times, I did have to use the whip strongly (which I prefer not to do), but through consistancy, he is much improved and moves away with entheusiasm.

I dont think I will go back to spurs unless its a one off for specific reasons eg Xcountry.
 
Not a silly question atall, better to ask than guess. I use the small shank Mark Todd ones as my mare was not very forward going when I first got her, spooky and a bit nappy. I couldnt afford for her to mess about on the roads and it gave her a more direct signal to go forward. I still wear them now but have to say my legs hardly ever touch her sides, they are there as back up if and when needed. I prefer to use them rather than be sat there flapping my legs, they work well when used properly.
 
I wouldn't use spurs to get your horse to go as they are a refinement of your aids not there to make your horse go faster.

If your horse isn't listening when you say go he is just being rude, do schooling exercises to get him always listening to you like walk-trot-walk-trot-walk-trot. It will get him anticipating the leg.
Do transitions within the pace, lets say your normal trot is a 3 ask for a 4 trot then ask for a 2 trot then maybe ask for the slowest trot you can get without breaking to a walk then ask for the fastes trot you can get.

I would recommend carrying a schooling whip with you when you ride so when he doesn't listen to your leg give him a tap, at first if he scuttles forward let him for a few strides as this is what you asked then get him back to you.
 
Agreeing with Kokopelli - spurs aren't for sending a horse forward, they're for refining your aids.

Simple method - say you're in walk. You ask him to trot. If he doesn't, do whatever you have to to make him almost GALLOP forward - use your legs/voice/whatever... then bring him back to walk, and ask for trot again. If he doesn't? Gallop! He will soon get the message to go first time ;) :p
 
Thanks everybody,

Koko, I do most of what you suggested and carry a schooling whip. Maybe it's just me being a crappy rider. Lol :( I dont know.. :(

He is a bit lazy, but only due to being let to be lazy in his previous home. I really want to get him going nicely, cos I know he can do it. He's such a sweetie and so uncomplicated, very trainable as well, it's just his ridden work.

Really forward on the lunge/free schooling. No need to nag to keep him going then.

I think it's his previous owner, letting him get away with plodding along when riding. He's actually got a really forward walk, and a lovely trot and canter. I have got him walking out properly once or twice, but it's on and off.

:( Hmm..
 
Differing opinions here but what works for one horse isnt always right for another. My gelding doesnt need spurs atall, works well off my leg and voice. Madam has a mind of her own, could easily ride her without spurs but I prefer to have them there if she decides to have one of her "moments" out and about. Shes sharper than my boy and its safer. As said before, I dont really have to put my leg anymore, she responds to my voice and seat and is a lot more confident now. I dont ride her in the school at the mo due to her recovering from a tendon injury so we only hack out for now. Its a case of trying different things and see what works for you. Good luck with it!
 
If he's quite forward on the lunge, how is he to voice aids? Perhaps it would be worth really making sure that he will obey these quickly and easily, then using them whilst riding him until he almost relearns what your other aids mean?
 
I agree with Sol with the voice aids.

Perhaps your seat is blocking the forward movement?
Or he is dead to the leg, in this case try not to use leg very often and when you do it will come as a suprise to him.

Do you have lessons?
 
Kokopelli said:
I wouldn't use spurs to get your horse to go as they are a refinement of your aids not there to make your horse go faster.
Click to expand...

Yes, and surely a touch from the spur to get a forward reaction is a refinement of a stronger leg aid?

You're quite right in that spurs are not a 'go faster' tool, but they are extremely useful on horses that are idle or sluggish that don't respond to a subtle leg aid.

As far as I'm concerned, its all about finding out what works for you and your horse - some horses I'd never use spurs on, for others I do. There is no shame in using spurs - if they work for you and your horse does it matter if you need to use them long term?
 
Thanks for replies, only just seen the rest of them.

Thanks sol, I do use voice aids, he seems to listen sometimes, ignore other times.

It's funny cos he is willing in other ways off the leg, like turning on the forehand, reigning back, leg yielding. So I just don't get it really..

Koko, I do have lessons, but I'm going to book more soon with another instructor who will ride for me first and perhaps get to the route of the problem. :)

I may have these lessons, see what the instructor said and then decide what the plan of action will be! :)

Thanks spiral :)
 
Hi there! Your boy sounds so much like my boy - he's a haffie too and looks very much like yours! (in other words adorable!!) I have only had him a few months and every time I ride him he seems to respond differently! I have found that I just try each way until it works, he was used as a disabled rider horse for four years when he was younger and then not a lot done with him til I got him and he was so overweight and sluggish, everything wobbled when he moved! Now he's lost nearly all of it and is a different animal altogether, trying it on with me a lot, bucking and reversing etc. I have to say that when I DO wear spurs he listens much more and I find that I don't have to do that constant nagging with my legs that wears us both out and makes him dead to the leg. They are known for being stubborn and strong but once you've got a handle on them they are wonderful! I have also found that if you can get control of the shoulders during schooling, their balance improves and they are more willing. I know this isn't a very helpful reply but I had to write as he looks and sounds so much like our boy! Good luck, I am sure you'll suss him out before you know it!
 
Oooh yes I'd like some advice too. Whip or spurs?

Are there really mild spurs you can buy? My horse does not need to go forward any more , he's just getting a nice steady rhythm now without rushing everywhere - but he does need to listen to my leg as it happens rather than a stride or two later. I use a schooling whip & on the odd occasion I use it to back up my leg ( even just a tickle ) I get a hop or a buck!

He's quite good without the whip & I don't like upsetting him cos I think he thinks ' i am doing my best you know!' - so would spurs give me the precision I want & help train him that when I do 'x' - I need 'y' to happen instantly.
 
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