Applying spurs

[LMayhewtx]

For those of you that use spurs, when you want to apply them, do you roll your toe out to apply or do you let your heel come up slightly? I got the littlest nubs possible, that are like the size of a pea. In the lesson, I focused on ensuring that I did not apply them accidentally (in fact, I was so intent on keeping my heels down and toes straight that by the end of the lesson, I couldn't feel my toes anymore!). But what are the movements you do when you want to apply your spurs?

[Keket]

Always always always toe out, not heel up. Heel up is a bad habit to get into, because at first you do it to apply your spurs, and then you're doing it all the time. Not to mention it changes the position of your leg when you do it and therefore changes your weight distribution. :) So always, toe out to apply spur, bring toe back in to remove spur.

[Pibstar]

Off subject alittle but why would you want to apply spurs?? I havent seen anyone in England use them. My knowledge is limited but are they not for the bad naughty horses?

[vimto92]

Off subject alittle but why would you want to apply spurs?? I havent seen anyone in England use them. My knowledge is limited but are they not for the bad naughty horses?

Really?
Lots of people in England use spurs! Watch Olympia this Christmas and all the other horsey events;)
They can be worn by any rider providing they have a good and sturdy leg position so they aren't applied accidently or jabbing into the horses poor sides non stop. They can be used on any horses, the main reason is for refinement of aids, they are popular in dressage as they give more accurate movements and such:)

[Alfies-slave]

However... lots of people wear spurs because they think they look good! You can even buy dummy spurs with no nubbs!

If the seat and leg are not good, independent and secure there is no message for the spurs to refine, they just amplify the bad messages. Spurs are never a substitute for a good seat and good legs.

I am not saying that you are doing wrong, just making a general point. Best keep the spurs for lessons till you have got the knack.

[Pibstar]

They can be used on any horses, the main reason is for refinement of aids, they are popular in dressage as they give more accurate movements and such:)

Oh I didnt realise that............ i dont normally express my opion so not to often anyone, as everyone is different....but (yep sorry there is a but) i think there wrong if they are used to refine aids and give accurate movements, surely they hurt the horse and in the wrong hands could do damage! If everyone just cut the competitve b*ll S**t out then you wouldnt need them. Riding is meant to be fun! how does natural horsesmanship fit in with spurs??

[MrDCBags]

Some more bed time reading for you Pibstar!!

http://www.meredithmanor.com/features/articles/faith/artificial_aids.asp

its not a long article and doesn't involve jumping around!!

[Pibstar]

thanks Mr Bags, did a quick read of that, no surprises but i dont think their right, just my opion though ............

[MrDCBags]

thanks Mr Bags, did a quick read of that, no surprises but i dont think their right, just my opion though ............

Did you read bottom bit of article about natural aids? I have watched someone pull a bit out of a horses mouth whilst trying to turn it! not knocking your opinion either. Tend to have to pull splinters out of bum a lot:D

[Pibstar]

Yes i did:
Some people regard artificial aids as a second-class or even abusive way of communicating with the horse. Certainly artificial aids have the potential for misuse by inexperienced horse handlers. However, the same might be said for the natural aids when applied by inexperienced riders who have not yet achieved an independent seat. While artificial aids should never be used as shortcuts in the training process, they can be extremely useful communication tools when used correctly.

These are two ends of the spectrum. one relating to some one inexperienced (which could apply to the majority of us on NR - me included) and your point being that you saw a rider pulling a horses mouth about. Anyone that inexperience would be observed and corrected (you would hope). And the other end where experienced riders uses spurs to back up aids. Who is going to tell them they are not doing it right when they are riding their own horse or in a competition and want to be the best!!

My point is that spurs should be used for the right reasons and making your horse prance about better I dont think should be one of them.

Bags - i am very opionated at home but dont bring it to NR as it is letting go a monster!!

I'll shut up down as i need to get ready to go down the pub:D :D

[MrDCBags]

pibstar worry not I am known as she who must be obeyed at home!!!

I agrre that it something needs very careful consideration and appropriate usage!

I too will shut up for a while as I have sausages and burgers on BBQ and can't keep running upstairs!!!

[Pibstar]

I too will shut up for a while as I have sausages and burgers on BBQ and can't keep running upstairs!!!

oooooooohhhhhhhhh can i have some to line my tummy please? - get back down stairs!:D :D

[MrDCBags]

I have worked up an appetite tho thank you Pibstar!!

[Pibstar]

For those of you that use spurs, when you want to apply them, do you roll your toe out to apply or do you let your heel come up slightly? I got the littlest nubs possible, that are like the size of a pea. In the lesson, I focused on ensuring that I did not apply them accidentally (in fact, I was so intent on keeping my heels down and toes straight that by the end of the lesson, I couldn't feel my toes anymore!). But what are the movements you do when you want to apply your spurs?

Lmayhewtx - sorry if i highjacked your thread:o you can blame Mrbags for getting me started :D no offence meant!!!:D :D :D :D

[Stella2]

Oh I didnt realise that............ i dont normally express my opion so not to often anyone, as everyone is different....but (yep sorry there is a but) i think there wrong if they are used to refine aids and give accurate movements, surely they hurt the horse and in the wrong hands could do damage! If everyone just cut the competitve b*ll S**t out then you wouldnt need them. Riding is meant to be fun! how does natural horsesmanship fit in with spurs?? When used properly they don't hurt!!! I wouldn't dream of hurting my mare and she would tell me if I did! I have ridden her in spurs and she hasn't minded at all. She is a sensitive soul and if they hurt or upset her, she wouldn't keep it to herself :rolleyes: A correctly applied spur can be understood as feeling like a finger against your ribs as opposed to the flat of your hand.

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

I would never even consider wearing spurs, even if i knew how to use them, i couldn't trust myself.

I know a girl, haven't seen her for ages but she's always been known for firing her horses and whipping them. Saw her this week. Heal pointed vertically toward the pony, VERY hard kick, and spurred the pony. Then whipped it twice. No wonder the pony refused to jump properly!! :mad:

[coss]

toes out.

i use them to get extra oomph with bend and to refine aids. i don't jab my horse, its just the same aid focused in a smaller area (thats the way i look at it) so i can specifically choose which bit of the horse is moving where more easily.

[LMayhewtx]

No worries, Pibstar. I knew my question would spark some controversy. I understand spurs are controversial and should be used with caution, but I trust my instructor, and she knows me and the horse I ride, so when she recommends something, I do it.
Thank you Coss and Keket, for your responses.

[eventerbabe]

i think there wrong if they are used to refine aids and give accurate movements, surely they hurt the horse and in the wrong hands could do damage! If everyone just cut the competitve b*ll S**t out then you wouldnt need them. Riding is meant to be fun! how does natural horsesmanship fit in with spurs??

but that IS the correct use of spurs!!!!!! :rolleyes: it's perfectly ok to use them to get refinement. I'd never used spurs until focusing more on dressage and my RI suggested them for getting that extra refinement. Of course you should never use them if you have a weak leg position. But used correctly they don't hurt the horse and are very useful. What is kinder? a rub with the spur or several (in my case several hundred) nudges with the leg? you completely deaden the horse to your leg that way.

I'm not competitive, don't compete my horse, we simply progress our schooling at home.

Getting back to the original posters question, i only ever apply the spurs by toes out. And i only ever need apply them when working on travers and shoulder in.

[Bebe]

Toes out is the correct way to apply a spur aid.

I've got to get some longer spurs as mine are too short for me to apply them without lifting my heel, which is bad as it undermines my position which sort of defeats the object. This is something that a lot of people don't realise, the type of spur you use may be dependent upon where your leg hangs on any particular horse - my ankle hangs below my horses sides and as a result I need a longer spur to make contact than I would if I was riding a horse who's body took up more of my leg. I'm going to try committing the cardinal sin of putting my POW spurs on upside down so they curve upwards instead of down and see if that helps. If they're still too short I'll have to look into some swan neck ones.

I wouldn't use spurs if I didn't have a steady lower leg, I'd never forgive myself if I was banging my mare with the spur everytime she moved.