spurs

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treacle_beastie

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I'm not a fan of spurs as I always thinks I will somehow stab the horse in the side, esp if jumping - not sure this would happen but theres no point using them if i'm scared too is there?

Anyway, I feel I could use them as I seem to have developed nagging legs again and just want a short and quick reminder to get the horse moving forward more. I guess spurs would do the trick. I've been looking at those roller ball spurs which I think will resolve my fear of using them!

Has anyone used them/have them - what do you think of them and can the balls be removed if needs be?
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spurs have their place when used sympathetically and correctly. Like any aid-they can cause damage if used excessively or with force. Do you have an instructor who could asses your riding and advise you? Ive never used the roller spurs but have heard both good and bad things said about them. Though they do look to be milder. The only problem I could forsee is that they look very short and it looks like you would have to bring your leg back and in quite a way to have an effect, wheras the pow type it only requires a slight turn of the ankle to have an effect. I could be completely wrong however!!
 
The Impuls spus are quite long, 20mm, and no you cant remove the ball.

Some horses love the roller balls, some back off them.Personally if its just a subtle back up I would go fo some starter spurs, short blunt ones.
 
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is that what they are called?? I must have been looking at a cheap version then!!

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A few manufacturers make them now, some call them Rollerball spus, Impuls/Impulse spurs, I think Mark todd make them too, every set Ive seen have been 20mm though, not a length I would go for if my horse was sensitive and I wasnt too sure if I would use the properly, doesnt leave much room for error.
 
I have a pair of the roller ball Mark Todd ones. I have found them to be very good on all different horses, I would recommend them.
 
Spurs have their place in the world, but generally, they should be used (imo) to refine the aids rather than to exaggerate them.

A nagging leg is usually a response to a horse that is behind your leg. Sooo for me, i'd be tackling that as a schooling issue rather than thinking about the use of spurs as an amplyifying tool. (Always remember also that if you have to start using spurs to keep your horse going forwards, what will happen if later on, you need greater precision in the aids to school more effectively? Sharper, longer spurs?)

Just my opinion of course
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I have spurs, but I only use them when I feel I really need them - or when my legs/hips are playing up. It also depends on Beaus mood. Some days he is soo forward going I don't need them, others he will not respond to any leg aids.

I have found though, that if I use my spurs, for about 5 days after he is sharper. I thankfully, do not have nagging legs - but I also do not have very strong legs when to comes to riding, adn sometimes need that push - and also when doing lateral work.

My current ones are only about 1cm long, and to be honest I would prefer ones that were half that.
 
i always wore them for flatwork on my old pony as when i used a whip he just bucked and wouldn't go forward. I much prefer to wear spurs than kicking and flapping to keep the horse going forward.
 
I have impulse spurs and I do really rate them. Also, on the mildness factor, smooth rowel spurs are actually kinder than blunt spurs. To test this out try rolling both across the skin on your wrist and see which hurts the most. I use the impulse ones at shows and rowels at home (where mine is a wee bit lazy!!) in the school and jumping. I don't use either for hacking.
 
I am in full agreement with Tierra. This is a schooling issue and perhaps a pair of spurs isn't the way to go, especialy if you have a fear of incorect use.
On my own personal opinion spurs should only be used when the lower leg is secure, that way you have the ability to apply the spur to refine the leg aid when needed and not run the risk of mistakenly jabbing the horse by accident as this will only create new problems to fix. (and this is not a bitch at any members riding skills as I don't know any of you, have never seen any of you ride, and probably never will)
I never use spurs as I dont think my left leg is secure, but I can understand your frustration as my boy is the master of falling behind the leg as soon as you enter the arena.
Its your choice what you decide to do, but if you were one of my friends and you decided to try spurs I would ask you to get lessons in the correct use, and maybe a few lunge lessons if you are worried about your lower leg.
 
I do use spurs and would rather do that than have a 'nagging leg'. I only wear them for flat work, never for hacking out an I don't need them jumping. (I do not carry a whip except out hacking).

I actually find that just by wearing spurs my mare is sharper and listens to me more - I do not have to use them!

I agree with what Tierra/Toots say in that it can be a schooling issue but my mare hates it when I am always after her with my leg. With the spurs on she is a different horse and listens to the aids. I think that she was ridden a lot in them in Holland so is used to it.

Having said that, I think my leg position is secure enough and I am pretty confident that I am unlikely to give her a 'stab' unwittingly. (Besides, I would be in Orbit if I did this!
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Have you got an instructor who can advise you?
 
A couple of months ago my girl was being really lazy and I was getting pony club legs from have to constantly push her on, and I mean constantly. I borrowed some spurs for a couple of weeks and used them very very gently and I was very wary on keeping my lower legs still so that she didn't get an accidental prod with them. She responded very well to them and now I don't need them again, but, I wouldn't hesitate to use them again as I felt that it was much kinder to give her a very gentle prop with the spurs that the constant pushing and sqeezing as before.

Good luck
 
I am a complete convert to spurs. My instructor suggested I use them. Horsey doesn't get stressed about them at all, just listens more. I use fairly short ones, and only in lessons. I find that just using them once a week sharpens his responses, it's great
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I personally think too many people use spurs as a matter of habit. I find it hard to believe so many horses actually need them (unless required for dressage / showing etc.). Personally, Ive occassionally used spurs on one of mine (never needed them on any other horse Ive had) but purely as a reminder to listen to my leg. I dont trust myself enough to use them very often for jumping, I worry Ill catch them or forget Im wearing them! I see too many kids booting their ponies with them which puts me off them!
 
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