Spurs and draw reins - what age is acceptable?

[Nightmare before Christmas]

this x100




Silly view IMO. If someone has such an insecure leg they cannot control the spurs, they may be unsympathetic, but if they have a good seat and leg they are capable of being just as sensitive. Remember that spurs have differing strengths, and though you may wear them, you don't always have to be applying them.




Not every horse can be trained to be sensitive. That's not a people issue it's a horse issue. Willy won't go xc without spurs, if I tried we'd be drifting all over the place because he just doesn't respect a bare leg, and please don't tell me you think FEI horses are trained incorrectly...

This. My horses are off the leg and responsive, I use spurs on my horses from 4yrs upwards when jumping as sometimes you need that bit extra, spesh with a spook or a look. I rather spurs over whip as some horses start to run away from whips, with spurs they just move from the leg

 

[SO1]

I thought this too.

I am presuming that they were actually draw reins on the pony not grass reins or side reins, as draw reins I thought normally are not set at a certain tightness unlike sidereins or grass reins.

Pony Club rules are any child can wear spurs but must have permission from their Head Instructor or District Commissioner unless they hold their B test.

Bearing and any form of balancing reins are NOT permitted.

If competition societies thought that 7 yr old kids were capable of wearing spurs in compitition then there would not be a rule stating no spurs on M&Ms or on show/hunter ponies that includes those who do workers.

 

[Bikerchickone]

Whilst I don't particularly like the use of draw reins and don't like the idea of child including my own using them, I agree with those who use spurs to provide a precise aid. My daughter is 8 and has been taught to ride very sympathetically so I'd have no issues at all with her using spurs should she need a refined aid. However this because I know she has a healthy respect for the ponies she rides as well as having a beautiful independent seat and lovely light hands (can you all tell I'm super proud of her?) The thing is on some occasions when she's riding my heavyweight 15 hand cob she'd actually be better off with spurs because half the time he can't even feel her leg aids, and she works very hard to get him cantering in nice circles

So I think the use of all artificial aids should really be based on the rider's ability not their age.

 

[cptrayes]

If people school their horses to be sensitive to the leg they wouldnt need spurs !

I think you misunderstand the use of spurs. They are not a punishment, or they should not be.

My dressage horse goes much better to a gentle touch of the spur than he does to the bigger feel of my leg. He's an exceptionally sensitive horse and he prefers the smaller, lighter touch.

Also, when he reaches the level of dressage that he is expected to reach, spurs are compulsory. So I would rather ride him with them right from the start, and thankfully he likes that.

 

[pixiebee]

This. My horses are off the leg and responsive, I use spurs on my horses from 4yrs upwards when jumping as sometimes you need that bit extra, spesh with a spook or a look. I rather spurs over whip as some horses start to run away from whips, with spurs they just move from the leg

i xc in spurs for the same reason above. My boy will sometimes back off a fence but doesnt respond to whips very well but a little nudge with spurs sends him foreward with confidence and finished by lots of praise!