Using spurs as punishment?

[Artyfartyv]

Having been to the highland show yesterday and now watching hickstead on tv I've noticed that instead of using a stick or no punishment when a horses refuses, it's popular now to give the horse a few digs in the side with the riders spurs..... I find it so hard to watch as the horse obviously in pain and acts up when the rider does this.
What are other peoples views on this ? Im no expert but I'm sure that is not the reason many people wear spurs...

 

[LizzyandToddy]

I don't think spurs should be used as a punishment. Shame some people out there have different idea's.

 

[JFTDWS]

Directly after the refusal? charming... On representation however, if the beast is backing off again, he will feel my spurs

 

[Artyfartyv]

Directly after the refusal? charming... On representation however, if the beast is backing off again, he will feel my spurs

I would see that more encouragement rather than punishment...and getting rider out a potentially bad situation if horsey is considering refusing.

I'm talking about horsey refusing, rider having very strong contact so horsey has no way of going forward and rider digging spurs into horseys sides obviously as a way of discretly punishing the horsey!