Do some horses just "need" spurs?

PonyGirlAsh

PonyGirlAsh

Buongiorno, Principessa!
Nov 17, 2004
1,042
0
0
42
California, USA
www.myspace.com
Okay, this might be a dumb question and I'm not intending to get into any sort of arguing matching with anyone! I literally just want to know if there are horses out there who just work better when their rider wears spurs (and not in the "I'm going to spur you to death til you canter way, like in the "I'm giving you a direct signal to tell you what I want, then leaving you alone" sort of way). I've been riding the horse I lease for a little over a month now, and I always need spurs, and so does his owner. When she first bought him and was taking lessons with his trainer, she didn't use spurs and had a terrible time (despite being a competent rider). The first time she put spurs on, he was a completely different horse; extremely willing, and seemingly much less frustrated with his rider!

I tried riding without spurs one time, and while I managed to get him to go eventually, there was a lot of squeezing, whip usage, foul language, etc. I almost feel like it is more humane to use that spur, then get off his back about it!

What do you all think? If you do think I'm a terrible spur-using person, what is the best way to wean him off them? Thanks guys! :)
 
My instructor always wears spurs when she schools my horse and he goes really well but she is an experianced rider. I think spurs are good if you use them in the right way but so many people dont. I only ride in spurs in my lessons so I can be taught to ride in them properley first.

IMO if you have been taught to use them properley its like anything they are good in the right hands.
 
Spurs are a refinement aid-they shouldn't be used just to get the horse moving forward. In fact, its the reason why spurs are mandatory in 2nd level dressage and above-they aren't used to get more impulsion from the horse, they are used to fine tune the aids needed for higher level movement.

Now, that being said, alot of horses aren't ridden properly to begin with, especially school horses, and they become dead to the leg completely. And sometimes spurs are the only way in whch to get a proper response. I know I rode a mare who would not move forward without spurs...I actually didn't even have to use them, she just knew they were there. Eventually, you want to teach them not to be so dependent on them, but she always did go better with spurs.
 
I ride in spurs whenever I school a horse - never for impulsion stricktly for clear concise communication with my mount.

I can get my message across much more effectively and quickly. I have NEVER "spured" a horse - they are an extension of my heel not a weapon.

Would I say my horses become dependant on them? Sure they do. They come to expect that level of clarity at all times. So If I were to get up there and just bump them around with my legs they would be a very different ride. It would be like going from reading typed words to trying to decipher chicken scratch.

Wether you need to ween him off or not is entirely up to you, but if it were me I would carry on as you are, and work on your total aid refinement.
 
i would say maybe in the right hands they are a good tool i know my friend i think in 2nd or 3 rd level dressage wears spurrs on her warmblood but on her other horses she trains there is no spurs they are all trained in western right now. my dad cowboy freidn always has spurrs and his horses are always on the edge but very responsive. i think spurrs are there for more of a response and an aid as with martingales, and riding crops ect ect
 
Sadly, some horses have been poorly schooled and sufferd uneducated riders. They learn to ignore a nagging rider and become dead to the leg aids. So out come the spurs to get them moving forward. Soon the nerves are damaged and the horse learns to ignore the prodding spurs in the same way as it learnt to ignore the nagging rider.

To un-do this situation, ie, the horse has been trained to ignore leg aids... get working on the ground with pressure/release, get the horse moving away from pressure. The reward is the release of pressure. That is what the horse should respond to, not the increase of pressure! With a nagging or forceful rider, the reward never comes because there is no release! The horse learns to ignore.

Once you have cracked this on the ground, translate it to ridden work and the horse will become more responsive.
 
if used in the right hands by a rider who knows what they're doing i think spurs are ok. when i wear my spurs sometimes for jumping i dont really even have to use them but my horse listens a lot more just because he knows ive got them on. but i dont agree with people who always use them and rely on them to get their horse moving when they cant be bothered to use their legs.
 
i use spurs to school my arab and my older horse. the arab seems to prefer the refinment and does work better in them!my older horse is in need of serious schooling but i find the refinment of the spurs helps him mainly with his canter transitions!iv had people comment at shows as hes ridden in a pelham but the spurs really are there just so he knows not to get him going!
i think that some horses would probably prefer a refinment than being kicked
 
Thanks for all this guys! I'm with you there Alfie's Slave, I was thinking of doing some pressure and release groundwork...l will try that tomorrow.

Here's the thing too about Eddie...I find that I need to use the spurs to get him forward going while he is warming up, but once he is warm, I only need them for refinement and he is really awesome. I just need him to be like that at warm up!
 
The way I like to explain is if you tried to press your TV remote with your fist you wouldnt necessrily get the channel you want, if you press with your finger you can be more accurate - similar with horses, spurs are for refining more complicated movements rather than just for go.

Sounds like the horse doesnt know go, so go bck to basics, use a short sharpe saddle bag kick without lifting you bum offthe saddle or tensing your bum, whilst making kissing noises or shohing noises. as soon as he moves releae and sit very quite. Repeat this from stand to walk over and over and over again. Then take it upto to trot and so on.

Its not about how loudly you ask - its about how clearly you ask.

Good luck.
 
Following this thread I rode in my spurs last night and he was really responsive, to the point where I took them off as he was so on the ball to see if it was just him that night or it was them! He relaxed more without them on but wasnt off my leg as much or listening as much so with him I think its a matter of using to back up an aid where necessary i think, agree with all the others, its about refinement.

Have to say thgouht I didnt jump him in them and woudlnt jump in spurs at all personally unless i had to, beacuse I have seen so many horses with bits of hair missing and cuts from spurs where the riders leg moves going over the jump (for whatever reason cat leap etc) and nicks him:eek:
 
I would say yes but the are only fully effective on an experienced rider.

My horse Sandy goes nicely without spurs but is inclined to become lazy off my leg aids so I always ride him with spurs. He rides brilliantly with them.

I also jump sandy is spurs in showjumping and cross country. He tends to get flat so they are so much help to get him right again also a good back up over cross country if he feels like he is going to play up at a jump. (Which hasn't happened in a very long while lol)
 
I am having to use spurs on my boy as he has become very naughty out hacking alone or in front. He plants himself and no amount of reassurance or waiting makes him move on. Usually, in the school a he reponds in the desired way to a schooling whip if needed and to the leg but it's as if he cannot feel it out hacking when he decides to be nappy. The only thing that I have found to work is using spurs even though I hate the idea of them and hate being seen wearing them.
 
Has anyone tried those roller spurs? I thought about buying some and trying them out with him as they don't look quite as harsh, but thought I should check on here first too.

I'm about to go spend most of the day with him, so I'll be paying attention to how much I actually need the spur when I ride and so on.
 
I only wear my spurs at home whilst im schooling, and thats just 1-2 times a week, dont want to do it too often otherwise she will become dependant on them.
I take them to shows, as she looses concentration and wont listen to my aids, as she squels/neighs alot at shows, so i have to make sure she is actually listening to me.
 
one thing i hate with a passion is children riding with spurs - even competant ones. i see so many kicking and jabbing - intentionally and accidentally - with their heels. i think they should learn to ride using their legs properly, then maybe when they are older use them when doing higher level dressage, etc.
 
The larger the rowel or ball on a spur, the milder they are - it's simple displacement. Take a pencil and poke yourself with the sharp end.. now poke yourself with the eraser end..

I always use rollers now, as I roll to request back up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
newrider.com
Top Bottom