Spurs

[Supertrooper]

I've been advised to use spurs on B to quicken his responses. He is ex riding school and was very very dead to leg aids and obese when we got him.

We've worked very hard on leg aids and have now only ask him twice before backing it up with whip and he is better but he's still a bit unresponsive.

Make sure I always to lots of transitions to keep him listening and he is much fitter also and the right weight now.

Was wondering whether to get some of the roller spurs?

 

[DayleAshley]

I've bought some of those for my pony but still can't bring myself to use them

 

[Supertrooper]

I can see your point but if I just have to ask once to move forward rather than twice and then whip surely that's better xxx

 

[TallulahBright]

As long as you are competent and your lower leg is stable then careful use of spurs will help you to clarify for him what you are asking.

 

[Sandstone1]

Spurs in the right hands (or legs!) are ok but you need to be able to use them correctly and not niggle with your legs

 

[Tammytoo]

As long as you are confident you know how to use them, I would say they are better than having to nag with your legs a couple of times and then using a whip.

 

[TakeAChance]

I know how you feel, I've recently started using the roller ball spurs and was aprehensive to start with as really didn't want to hurt my horse and felt that my lower leg wasn't stable enough, my instructor assures me that it's fine. I haven't looked back since I started using them. He listens to me now and I don't have to nag him anymore, just ask him once and he responds. Like someone else said, it's better to ask once than have to ask twice and back up with the whip. As long as your lower leg is stable, give them a try. Good luck

 

[katiey]

My boy was rather dead to my leg when i got him. I tried the squeeze, kick, smack technique which helped him move off leg but would take several attempts. I went down the spur road - Dummy spurs are great. They are tiny but enough the give that extra bit of pressure and you can have them on and not use them He goes so well off my leg now. I only use dummy spurs for xc - mainly so i have a back up as he can be spooky with xc... Good luck!