Comments on: Are Spurs for You?

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 20:35:09 +0000

I’ve always believed in a saying I heard many years ago . . . . “If spurs were meant to make a horse go faster, jockeys would use them.”

By: MS

MS — Wed, 07 May 2014 04:22:24 +0000

I find them useful for what I’m doing with my horse. If I’m gaming she doesn’t need anymore encouragement to go fast, but on a day we are working more advanced maneuvers ie turn on forehand I use them for more precise pressure.

By: Katie

Katie — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 19:48:14 +0000

In reply to Megan Marino:
“Spurs are not normal and are a form of torture, we should stop using them connect with your horse and use your mouth its no that hard”
I disagree. Spurs are not torturous unless used incorrectly. I believe spurs should be used only to refine cues. Turn on the forehand, haunch turn, etc.

By: liz

liz — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 15:35:49 +0000

i train all my horses with and without spurs. they are a great tool to direct leg pressure creating a clearer cue thus creating a better response. the only time spurs are tourter is when you dont use them correctly. if you dnt kno what ur doin then seek help. and deffinitly dnt look down on ppl who do use them just because they have an extra tool in thr shed.

By: barrelracerbell

barrelracerbell — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 21:09:55 +0000

I ride a horse that has a lot of energy all I have to do is cluck and she will take off. but me friend is 7 and she has a big horse. her parents make her ride with spurs just so she gets more presure

By: barrel girl

barrel girl — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 08:47:54 +0000

i think you shouldn’t use spurs.but until it is showtime my horse hates to run.and my legs are so small yet my horse is so big. my trainer has me wearing bumper spurs ,but they aren’t as affective as pinwheel spurs

By: Megan Marino

Megan Marino — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 17:55:38 +0000

Spurs are not normal and are a form of torture, we should stop using them connect with your horse and use your mouth its no that hard

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:09:42 +0000

I am a good rider, but I still continue to dislike spurs. I would rather ride my horse, using leg aids…and he is trained western pleasure, he is just rusty. I don’t really want to use them, cause if not used the correct way….my horse can get hurt, and or I can get hurt. For now, I chose to ride without spurs. I think any experienced rider/horse should be able to be ridden without the use of spurs.

By: Faith

Faith — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:26:18 +0000

There is an old saying that goes, an inexperienced rider shouldn’t use spurs, and experienced rider shouldn’t need them. I am not against spurs since when used properly can be very helpful, but are not for show! I used to work with a very lazy pony, and although I didn’t use spurs(I didn’t have any and still don’t) I did use a stick on her for a while. The first time I rode her, I had to kick her to go, but after I was finished, I only had to adjust my seat. Kicking teaches the horse to brace or ignore you, while a tap with the whip or touch with the spurs should bring attention to your more subtle cue given before the touch. I personally like to adjust my seat, touch with my heels, then squeeze with my heels before using a stick or spurs. My horses jump as if they’ve been given an electric shock if they get kicked since they are so sensitive, and I have never used spurs on any of them.

By: Eliza

Eliza — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:25:14 +0000

I ride a Norwiegen Fjord. My Coach requested i use spurs to get her going snd listening to me. I have used spurs on her for a while now, and recently took them off, and my horse did great! should i still use spurs? or stop beacuse i got the results i wanted? my coach still insists that i use them though.