Spurs - help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SSM

SSM

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As most of you know my beautiful donkey is a Donkey I have to really push her forwards to get any energy out of her. On Saturday I had a lesson and I again spur marked her - please don't leap down my throat about cruelty etc - I only wear them for lessons and in the show ring. But she does have very sensitive skin that I am quite good at tearing - especially before a big show.....So can anyone recommend what type of spurs I should be using to help to prevent marking her. I have to wear spurs for hunter classes, and they do help to get her a little more forward moving.........but does anyone make and can I wear rubber ended ones, or would balls on the end be gentler HELP I need them for next Monday
 
I refer spurs with balls on the end as they don't have any sharp edges but smooth rowels should also be good as they'll run easily over her skin rather than dragging or poking. I never ever use square edged spurs - they're sharp!
 
Honey try some stubben ones, unfortunately I can help you with them, but I am coming to Royal on Sunday so could always shop for you before then if you need them..........
 
SSM - I've got some brand new ball end ones at home - my YO laughed and said that I won't ever need them with TY - can get them out to you if you need them?
 
My horse marks with spurs - white spirit works really well hardening the skin. I have also used vaseline to great success. All good for schooling purposes.
 
I would def recommend Impuls Spurs, I get mine from Inchs Saddlery, they have a website or you can just give them a call. My chestnut is very sensitive and I was constantly marking him even with ball end spurs, think its the friction!! The Impuls spurs have been a God send, no marks and still very responsive to them, try and find someone who can lend you a pair if you need convincing!!
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Try the ones that are sold by Equiport - they have balls on the end made of rubber, so doubt they will mark Gala, I will pm the web site over to you.
 
Do you have to wear spurs?
I'd be inclined to school her to move off my leg by giving her a good thwack with a whip (but the ones with a leather flap at the end so it doesn't hurt her).
S
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Have you asked a nutritionist for advice on spicing things up a bit?! I'd be interested to hear, as the youngster I ride could do with livening up a bit more!

Would you wear the rubber (impulse) ones for schooling and posh ones for shows?
 
Alwena used to wear spurs when her Welsh D was young... to slow the Cob down. All in the vein that you use your seat and legs to stop a horse, not the bit.

I guess the problem is finding a reliable way of encouraging the donkey forward.... Thinking from the horses point of view, I would get bored stiff going around in circles on a small dressage square, so it's no wonder they have a habit of falling to sleep and loosing concentration
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Good luck with that SSM.

xx
TP
 
Smooth rowels will not mark as they roll freely over the skin. If you push your ball ended ones on your forearm they actually cause quite a lot of pressure. In my experience they are very likely to cause marks. Compare them in this way to the smooth rowels ones and you will notice the difference straight away.
 
I am really interested in this post too... Grace is very thin skinned so I think the spurs I have will mark her quite badly when I start to use them (not yet though
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I need some dressage legal ones though... is there a difference?
 
On my everyday spurs I have lemtex bandage wrapped over the end & never had a problem then I have rowled one's with the rowles filed off so not effective for better!
The hunters I rode even hacking in spurs never had to touch them with them they were responsive but 1 day I forgot to put them on & god did I know about it! They are clever beasties!!
I have heard good things aboutthe impulse ones but never used them myself.
 
I went through similar with my horse last year, got to the point when I needed spurs even to hack out. Changed instructors when I relocated and new instructor had a whole different way of teaching (not in a bunny hugging way!). Have gone right back to basics with him to teach him to respond to a tiny squeeze and using a schooling whip to consistently back up the leg when he ignored it. He hated it at first as he had to get used to being "told off" when he ignored the leg, but he very quickly learnt that if he just went off a squeeze then he didn't get a smack. I only ever use my spurs for XC now - put them on once for dressage recently and just the threat of them was enough to get him moving!

He's had to have a whole attitude change and i've had to learn how to school him and keep it interesting. For a good month we didn't get out of walk, just did walk and halt transistions, bending, circles, rein changes etc. He has to do loads to keep him interested other wise he switches off and backs off the leg. Never do the same circle twice, change pace as often as possible, just get the horse really thinking about you and listening out for your aids.
 
Thanks everyone, especially Heidi who has already organised two pairs for me - called our favorite tack shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To the comments about not wearing spurs, I only wear them for showing and lessons - I do not school in them because I do want to get her going better off my legs. However both my instructors agree she needs them, especially in the show ring where a whip is not an option.

Nutritionally we keep trying!! - Currently on Tiger Oats, balancer and trialing a new supplement for NAF.
 
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