Rubber tip spurs (for me as I don't have a strong leg)

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Michelle1109

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So I'm not a fan of spurs personally but I do see the purpose of used correctly

I just want to be clear
I don't need spurs to make him more forward or to jump bigger

But I have trouble with my legs as they are not as supple or strong as I would like so even a good bend is sometimes hard to achieve in dressage
My legs end up flapping all over

So while I am working on this as a rider can any one suggest some very soft or rubber tip spurs that I can use to assist me in creating a little more pressure when needed.

He is a big horse and very strong but not that sensitive to the legs and on flat work you have to really have to be strong to tell him what you want (it's not that he won't do it but you have to ask in a strong way so he understands he can do the moves but I am not strong enough in asking)

My RI who is amazing rider has very supple legs very strong legs and is and ex 4* eventer so he can get it right every time (he is actually not a fan of spurs either)

It's more for me as a training aid to help me along the way - the horse can have a clear message from me with out him getting stressed if he doesn't understand what I'm asking (and I will say this is ONLY while I improve my legs)

Me- 37 riding for 4 years (after a 15 yr break) I have a good seat but bad legs that will get better I have the knowledge of some higher dressage moves but not the strength in my legs to perform consistently which is being worked on
Horse - 17:2 ex GP jumper who is very clever and very willing IF You ask correctly

Like I say it's just a temporary fix a training aid - not a go faster aid or a punishment aid hence the need for something very soft as an extension of my leg

Pls keep positive (even if u are against spurs)

Thanks
 
You do need to have very good control over your legs to use spurs, so as not to use them accidentally. The roller ball ones are supposed to be the least invasive, I haven't used them. I always wore spurs but very rarely used them, there is a definite technique of bringing your heel up and in, which means they are used quite specifically and deliberately.
I would question whether strength is the issue if he isn't listening to your leg to bend around it - 600kg horse vs human leg = no contest. Surely it is more about having him conditioned to the cue and what it means, if I have a horse who ignores the leg in that sort of context I go back to turns on the forehand, shoulder in and leg yielding to see how light an aid I can get the result with
 
He is not, not listening I just. Cant always get my leg on the right spot as when I get it right he responds
But I did try spurs once and it seemed to have a better effect by getting that spot a little further back for the aid and a little stronger while me not loosing my seat position
As I said he is very trained so it's more about an aid for the rider not the horse

My problem is keeping the seat while having a more defined leg and opening my knee ...., I am working on this as a rider and won't stop just because I have spurs to help
It's just in the interim so I don't loose out on the practice and training WHILE I also concentrate on my self as a rider

Hope this makes a little more sense ;)
 
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If you can't keep your legs still, spurs aren't a good idea. It's very easy to mark a horse while your legs are "flapping about".

You'd be better off working on getting the horse sharper in his response to your aids. You need to be quicker, not stronger, and less accepting of him not listening.

As an example - I have a clever older horse, who will, given half a chance, bumble about all day behind the leg, and responding when he feels like it. I don't have to use my legs harder (that makes him worse) to get him forward, light and responsive. I have to insist on him responding instantly to the lightest of aids - starting in halt, and throughout a session, if I feel him starting to take control, we go back a few steps, sharpen his response up, and then try again.

I use the following escalating "response" scale to judge whether he's listening, and prefer him to be at 1 or 2. If his response happens somewhere between 2-3 , I'll give him a tap with the whip. If his response happens at 3 or 4, we have a bit of a Come to Jesus discussion about manners...

1 Light touch with the leg
2 Squeeze with the leg
3 Kick (this is the stage where flapping generally becomes a thing)
4 Hefty boot
 
You say your instructor is not a fan of spurs; does this mean you've asked him about using some and he's said no?
I don't know you but your description of flapping legs I would be pursuing other training prior to going down the route of spurs, unless it is your instructor who has said you should get some in which case I would be getting him to provide a specific recommendation on the type of spur most suited to this situation.
 
Auslander said:
If you can't keep your legs still, spurs aren't a good idea. It's very easy to mark a horse while your legs are "flapping about".

You'd be better off working on getting the horse sharper in his response to your aids. You need to be quicker, not stronger, and less accepting of him not listening.

As an example - I have a clever older horse, who will, given half a chance, bumble about all day behind the leg, and responding when he feels like it. I don't have to use my legs harder (that makes him worse) to get him forward, light and responsive. I have to insist on him responding instantly to the lightest of aids - starting in halt, and throughout a session, if I feel him starting to take control, we go back a few steps, sharpen his response up, and then try again.

I use the following escalating "response" scale to judge whether he's listening, and prefer him to be at 1 or 2. If his response happens somewhere between 2-3 , I'll give him a tap with the whip. If his response happens at 3 or 4, we have a bit of a Come to Jesus discussion about manners...

1 Light touch with the leg
2 Squeeze with the leg
3 Kick (this is the stage where flapping generally becomes a thing)
4 Hefty boot
Click to expand...

All of this, it is not about how strong you are, or not, but about how quickly you react when he fails to respond, the 4* rider will not be getting the response because he is so much stronger but because he will be tuned into the horse and use an aid almost before it is required so it looks easy and as if it is his strength that makes all the difference.
It sounds to me as if you are working on moves you are not ready to do, get the basics in place, build up your core and mental reactions then the advanced stuff will be easier as the horse already has them established, lots of acute transitions would be a good place to start, walk to canter, rein back to canter, correct counter canter, changes, flexions and counter flexions while moving forward freely should get you both sharper and more prepared for the sideways stuff, if they are not in front of the leg they cannot move sideways properly and spurs will probably be ignored after a time or two.
 
Auslander said:
If you can't keep your legs still, spurs aren't a good idea. It's very easy to mark a horse while your legs are "flapping about".

You'd be better off working on getting the horse sharper in his response to your aids. You need to be quicker, not stronger, and less accepting of him not listening.

As an example - I have a clever older horse, who will, given half a chance, bumble about all day behind the leg, and responding when he feels like it. I don't have to use my legs harder (that makes him worse) to get him forward, light and responsive. I have to insist on him responding instantly to the lightest of aids - starting in halt, and throughout a session, if I feel him starting to take control, we go back a few steps, sharpen his response up, and then try again.

I use the following escalating "response" scale to judge whether he's listening, and prefer him to be at 1 or 2. If his response happens somewhere between 2-3 , I'll give him a tap with the whip. If his response happens at 3 or 4, we have a bit of a Come to Jesus discussion about manners...

1 Light touch with the leg
2 Squeeze with the leg
3 Kick (this is the stage where flapping generally becomes a thing)
4 Hefty boot
Click to expand...

Pretty much this for me, too. My horse will do as little as he can get away with, so we have these conversations occasionally!

I'd also be having lunge lessons and taking stirrups away, pronto. No better way to learn to control what your legs are doing and find your balance.
 
Be very careful with roller ball spurs. Mine broke last night ! The ball fell off leaving the very sharp 'neck'. It happened whilst i was riding. I will now avoid them and use solid rounded end spurs
 
Hi notimetoride

Thanks for advice - have you even see any with rubber ends or soft (for beginners lol)

It's not for go fast or jump higher reasons, is just to be able to give a more accurate aid
 
When I say flapping i don't mean flying all over I mean I have to push and release quick hard which brings my leg outwards that's when he starts to feel my pressure if I just hold it on as u normally would it's not enough for him to listen I would say for a forward aid he is at 2 and a bend or leg yield for example I'm a 3-4
What I need to to be able to give a more definite at with a BEND movement
If. My leg is booting him I loose my seat position

So it Not a go faster aid it's a "hi listen to my leg"
 
Do you have any video of you riding him? It's a little hard to judge what you mean in your posts about your issues with him, as your comments often don't quite reflect what the first post suggests. If you can upload a video to youtube and share a link here, it would be easier for people to help you
 
Michelle1109 said:
Hi notimetoride

Thanks for advice - have you even see any with rubber ends or soft (for beginners lol)

It's not for go fast or jump higher reasons, is just to be able to give a more accurate aid
Click to expand...

Tbh if this is for a novice rider, I cant recommend the use of spurs (in fact i strongly advise against). The rider really would need to ride effectively from the seat before considering using spurs. I thought long and hard before using them, with two trainers recommending using them, and I have been riding for 36 years.
 
Michelle1109 said:
When I say flapping i don't mean flying all over I mean I have to push and release quick hard which brings my leg outwards that's when he starts to feel my pressure if I just hold it on as u normally would it's not enough for him to listen I would say for a forward aid he is at 2 and a bend or leg yield for example I'm a 3-4
What I need to to be able to give a more definite at with a BEND movement
If. My leg is booting him I loose my seat position

So it Not a go faster aid it's a "hi listen to my leg"
Click to expand...

I'm not against spurs, I ride my horses in spurs most days but in this situation where you mention that you are not secure in your position yet I would echo Aus's advice about the escalation, and carry a whip to sharpen him to your leg aids. You don't need to make your leg stronger necessarily, you need to make your horse more sensitive to it. This is a training thing rather than an equipment thing.
 
Just read through other peoples posts and can add that I also dont rely on the spurs for a better response. Far from it ! I do literally a million transitions - between paces, within paces, and half halts. And vary every single one so that she cant pre-emp whats coming next. She can be a bit dopey sometimes, and no amount of kicking or slapping, even with spurs on, will change that. Its a case of getting her mind in the right place. Once shes thinking 'forwards' then she'll work beautifully. But it can take me a while (depending on her mood/weather etc etc). Spurs dont do this Im afraid.
 
Hi my original question wasn't about how forward he is or if he listens to my forward que

My question was only to ask if any knew of soft / rubber tips spurs available to buy

I do not need them for forward - I think in the middle of all the comments the original question has been confused

As I say these are not for forward go faster

These are to assist me a a rider to give a clear que to some more difficult moves that we can perform but i don't have the strength stamina in my leg just yet so need a little help

So if any one can advise on soft spurs or rubber tip id be very greatful

Thanks all
 
It really sounds like your horse has to learn to respond to your leg AIDS. It shouldn't have to be a fitness workout to get what you want.

You need to get this horse to listen to your AIDS.

Make sure whenever you use any aid that it is coming from your mind as well as your leg.

Use your dressage whip smartly if he is not listening to your leg,
 
I think presuming the rubber/tippped spurs will better may be a bit of a misnomer OP, the friction will be much more than with a smooth metal rowel so more likely to give you issues.
 
Tnavas said:
It really sounds like your horse has to learn to respond to your leg AIDS. It shouldn't have to be a fitness workout to get what you want.

You need to get this horse to listen to your AIDS.

Make sure whenever you use any aid that it is coming from your mind as well as your leg.

Use your dressage whip smartly if he is not listening to your leg,
Click to expand...

Please note, I am not responsible for my iPad's decision to shout AIDS - I didn't even realise it had done so. :D
 
Hello. I'd say roller ball spurs would be best.

However, I might be able to help you. This will be a bit of an essay by the way!

Your problem sounds familiar. Could it by physical? I find it hard to keep my legs on the horse because my feet point out (not massively, I don't look odd ;) )

Anyway, because of this, my leg from the upper thigh down doesn't lye on the saddle. Consequently I found it very difficult to bend the horse around my inside leg, because my leg wasn't lying on him.

What I do now is MAKE sure my thighs have a contact with the saddle. This helps to straighten my knee and my lower leg. Of course my ankle joint hasn't changed position but correcting my upper leg has improved my lower leg.

I also need to make sure my lower legs are ready to give an aid. I want them on the horse so I can react quickly.

Riding corners and circles in particular takes effort because I have to use inside leg to shape him. Anyway it is doable, even though it's difficult.

I tried spurs for riding circles and it did work but at the time my legs weren't quiet enough to use them so I muddled along until I figured out what was wrong. Hope this helps
 
EXACTLY my problem!!! My toes are out slightly, I'm still working on getting my legs supple enough to move freely at the hips and be able to move them without shifting balance (at all) It's just getting that good bend my legs just can't seem to sustain enough pressure in the right place for long enough while I keep a perfect upper body - in walk it's fine lol but anything more than that it goes to pot. To the point on some days my legs tighten come up and I loose the pressure and my seat
On a good day I can get a great bend and others I look like I'm trying to be a jump jockey :)

It's not about forward I can just squeeze him and he will go, but bend him you have to be very strong on his side with inside leg and flicks of the heel your right it's hard to get it all together that's why I though spurs may help a little bit till I sorted the "legs"

Rollers are lookin the best option so far but as I'm not keen on spurs I'd like to find some that are less evasive and more "hi that's my leg you feel" someone even suggested (and apparently they used to do this years ago)
Get a normal pair of spurs and he glued a small rubber bouncing ball to the ends hahahhaha!! Genius idea soft enough not to be invasive and extra "poke" when needed

I'll look at my legs/thighs tomorrow
I'm working through the Sally swift book going back to basics for the summer while it's so hot (I live in dubai so it's blazing at the mo) so that's a great thing for me to look at

Thanks very much
 
I
Tnavas said:
Please note, I am not responsible for my iPad's decision to shout AIDS - I didn't even realise it had done so. :D
Click to expand...

Notimetoride said:
Tbh if this is for a novice rider, I cant recommend the use of spurs (in fact i strongly advise against). The rider really would need to ride effectively from the seat before considering using spurs. I thought long and hard before using them, with two trainers recommending using them, and I have been riding for 36 years.
Click to expand...

I'm not a beginner rider .... but I have never used spurs --- hence joke about beginner :)
 
Michelle1109 said:
EXACTLY my problem!!! My toes are out slightly, I'm still working on getting my legs supple enough to move freely at the hips and be able to move them without shifting balance (at all) It's just getting that good bend my legs just can't seem to sustain enough pressure in the right place for long enough while I keep a perfect upper body - in walk it's fine lol but anything more than that it goes to pot. To the point on some days my legs tighten come up and I loose the pressure and my seat
On a good day I can get a great bend and others I look like I'm trying to be a jump jockey :)

It's not about forward I can just squeeze him and he will go, but bend him you have to be very strong on his side with inside leg and flicks of the heel your right it's hard to get it all together that's why I though spurs may help a little bit till I sorted the "legs"

Rollers are lookin the best option so far but as I'm not keen on spurs I'd like to find some that are less evasive and more "hi that's my leg you feel" someone even suggested (and apparently they used to do this years ago)
Get a normal pair of spurs and he glued a small rubber bouncing ball to the ends hahahhaha!! Genius idea soft enough not to be invasive and extra "poke" when needed

I'll look at my legs/thighs tomorrow
I'm working through the Sally swift book going back to basics for the summer while it's so hot (I live in dubai so it's blazing at the mo) so that's a great thing for me to look at

Thanks very much
Click to expand...

I find it so much easier to get the bend in walk too! Canter is another matter entirely :D

I've read Sally Swift too. I find the visualisation so much more helpful than trying to force my muscles to do what I want. Definitely experiment with the spurs. Good luck with it
 
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