*Equestrian Author*
Member
Hi Everyone, I'm new to H&H Forums
Please don't let this debate escalate into an argument! Though I'm currently injured so cannot work at the moment (injury and work are horse-related!) and have been finding ways to keep myself occupied - aside from writing books
Something I've always wondered is the reason for spurs being required in many high-level equestrian disciplines?
I've personally never used spurs - and am unlikely to become an amazing enough rider to ever have to wear them in high-level competition. The reasons I have never, and probably will never, use them are...
a.) I've seen them misused cruelly - and that was through sheer ignorance as opposed to intentional cruelty, which was horrible enough!
b.) I've never had cause to use them on any of my own horses, as they've (thankfully!) always been very responsive.
c.) I'd be absolutely terrified of using them - for fear of unintentionally causing harm to any horse through my lack of experience of using spurs.
d.) I've ridden others' horses in the past who I've been told categorically must be ridden in spurs, even when hacking - I refused to wear spurs and said horses worked perfectly nicely for me anyway.
I do understand there are many differing types of spur, and that the most widely used would be 'dummy' spurs that are highly unlikely to cause serious damage to a horse. However, given the rising interest in items such as 'Belly Bands', in your honest opinion do you truly believe there's still place for spurs in modern riding?
Thank you in advance for your replies - I'm sure they'll be fascinating
Please don't let this debate escalate into an argument! Though I'm currently injured so cannot work at the moment (injury and work are horse-related!) and have been finding ways to keep myself occupied - aside from writing books
Something I've always wondered is the reason for spurs being required in many high-level equestrian disciplines?
I've personally never used spurs - and am unlikely to become an amazing enough rider to ever have to wear them in high-level competition. The reasons I have never, and probably will never, use them are...
a.) I've seen them misused cruelly - and that was through sheer ignorance as opposed to intentional cruelty, which was horrible enough!
b.) I've never had cause to use them on any of my own horses, as they've (thankfully!) always been very responsive.
c.) I'd be absolutely terrified of using them - for fear of unintentionally causing harm to any horse through my lack of experience of using spurs.
d.) I've ridden others' horses in the past who I've been told categorically must be ridden in spurs, even when hacking - I refused to wear spurs and said horses worked perfectly nicely for me anyway.
I do understand there are many differing types of spur, and that the most widely used would be 'dummy' spurs that are highly unlikely to cause serious damage to a horse. However, given the rising interest in items such as 'Belly Bands', in your honest opinion do you truly believe there's still place for spurs in modern riding?
Thank you in advance for your replies - I'm sure they'll be fascinating