Spurs... impulsion...

[Dizzle]

Tell me about spurs, I have a pair of roll tip spurs for riding in and find they have little to no effect on my horse, yes I realise that a lot of this is down to schooling (he has no respect for the leg, ex-racer, one lazy owner that has only just started schooling him properly in the last few weeks, have owned since the end of 2009) and I am working on him but rather than having to resort to a PC kick to get him to listen I’d rather do something a bit more refined and you know, snappy to get him to listen to me. We have little in the way of bend or impulsion.

I have ordered a ‘normal’ pair of spurs to see if this has any effect.

Could I have introduced them incorrectly? I just hopped on and rode him in them...

 

[lochpearl]

I think spurs are too readily used nowadays and in fact the main issue is the rider not being able to teach the horse correct aids. This can be because the rider is not educated enough to teach the horse, or sometimes the horse has had too many bad habits or aids so find it hard to adjust.

Are you having regular lessons and if so what does your instructor say about your pairing? It is so easy for someone on the ground to see things that are difficult for us as riders to see or know is happening aboard. Are you using a schooling whip to back up your leg aids?

Sometimes there are good reasons for spurs but I think they are used too often by people who do more harm than good, so if you can try without them, but if you do go for it then ask your instructor to guide you.

 

[Damnation]

I do not think Spurs are your answer. Basically because if he becomes dead to the spurs too then you are running out of options!
Plus I believe that spurs should be used for fine tuning the likes of lateral work.
Transitions transitions transitions!!!!!!!! Transitions within paces. I.e along the short sides of an arena, really shorten the trot, then really go for it down the long side, getting him to listen to your seat.
Also use a schooling whip and be firm. I don't mean beat him but if he doesn't respond, one sharp tap behing your leg when he doesn't respond to a squeeze.
A good instructor will also be able to help you

 

[Wagtail]

I agree with the above. Also try not to nag with your legs using them every stride to keep him going. Instead keep your lower leg really still until you apply the aid (a light squeeze) and if he doesn't repond, one of four things depending on which he responds best to:

Tap with the schooling whip, or
Big kick, or
Flick with the reins or soft rope, or
Use of the voice.

I favour the big kick. It usually works after two or three repeats, so long as the leg is kept absolutely still inbetween. I don't find spurs at all useful on lazy horses.

 

[soulfull]

It is surprising how many horses don't REALLY know how to go off the leg, They trundle along doing ok until you start to ask for a bit more from them, then in it becomes more obvious

To start if you ask for walk it has to be a good brisk walk NOT just one foot in front of the other. If you don't get it, find a way that works for you so that you do, (as mentioned above) then leave well alone!
Same with trot, good forward trot or nothing and insist each and every time. If you don't get it don't keep nagging till you do, come back to previous pace and start again or transition within the paces if more applicable

 

[*hic*]

Agree with all the above posters - horse needs to learn to go off the leg, spurs are not the first resort, schooling is.

Having said that I've just bought a lazy dead to the leg 12.2 pony who is now out with a little rider who is learning how to teach him to move off the leg. A valuable lesson for both of them I suspect.

 

[jeeve]

My understanding was that spurs are for lateral (sideways ) work , not to get the horse to go forwards.

Nagging with your heels or spurs will teach the horse to ignore, like a husband ignores a nagging wife (or vice versa).

Start again with a really light ask, ask again a little more pressure, gradually ask with a little more pressure/intensity etc until you get a response. Reward the slightest try. A try might be a step forward from the horse.

Reward is stop asking and pause , wait give it time to sink in. Then when ready ask again, slightest touch or squeeze of the leg, even just a shift in body weight can be your first cue. Repeat.

Note that the whip or stick is your back up, because you may need a quick tap with the whip, to reinforce your leg.

The lighter you are with your aids and ask, the more responsive horse you will get back. All horses can feel the same, a fly landing on their skin etc. Some are better at ignoring/tuning out than others. Some don't understand what is required.

 

[amandap]

Some really good posts on this thread imo.