Spurs or not?

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YardGeek

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Just wondering what your opinions are on using spurs. I have been bringing on my cob for 3 months now and competing him at prelim working towards novice at home. Although I wouldn't call him a 'plod' I have been getting comments that he needs more impulsion from the judges. I use a schooling whip at home and when I compete and am now thinking about using small shank ball ended spurs when schooling him to get him more responsive to my leg.
The question is should I be using them in competition aswell?
Also do you think it would be more effective to use a traditional spur?
Thanks :)
 
spurs are a refinement of a leg aid, not really meant as an aid towards impulsion on a less forward horse - you should be able to train him to move forwards off a plain leg aid by consistently backing up with a schooling whip (everytime he ignores your leg, quick tap with whip). If he is more responsive at home, you can compete with a whip too.
 
Have you tried good old fashioned pony club kicks - toes out, legs away and a good solid kickbwith your heels. The problem with constantly nibbling with your legs is that your horse can switch off to them.
 
I have tried that much to my horror lol :p he didn't like it at all! He completely freaked out and refused to do anything sensible for a couple of days :o he is definatly not what you would call an easy ride hence why I'm trying to make everything as simple an 'small' as possible as far as aids go :)
 
Out of interest, how is he if you put a bloomin' good blast into your warm up?

For all the schooling whips/spurs, schooling exercises etc a lot of the 'slower' thinking ones I've ridden produce far better work if as part of the warm up either at home or a comp is getting up off their back and getting a decent canter in, with at least one long side ridden like you're showing them off down the back of the line in the show ring.

It's taken a lot with one of the ones I do a lot with to feel able to crack him on and then know you'll be able to get him back to work sensibly after - but he works far better if he's allowed a decent canter, or to whizz round a couple of laps in trot just pushing him on and not worrying about the outline at all; it was very tempting for a lot of his education to start very steady because if you pushed him on he blew his mind and went like a llama, but as he's come on the ability to warm him up as if you're going XC, and then actually work him on the flat has improved no end - and with it the work he actually produces.
 
I will try that tomorrow :) I do give him a wizz through the paces on loose rein to try and free him up but I can try and mix that with adding speed and see what happens :) thank you
 
I school mine in spurs the day before competing. I find it makes him more tuned in to my leg so when he gets to a competition and the adrenaline takes over (hes not an expierenced competition pony so is still running on nerves a bit) he manages to listen to me. However I dont like to wear them often as I dont want to end up needing them but do school in them occasionally as I dont like having to carry a whip.
 
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