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Spurs
Concern
For the
last couple of months, I have been having x-country lessons on a
riding school horse, in preparation for a competition I plan to
take part on him on Sunday. However, he is very cobby had often
needs alot of encouragment over some of the 'scary' jumps or when
I need to pick up a good gallop. My riding instructor suggested
using spurs, so I have bought some very simple Prince of Wales spurs.
I have never used spurs before, but am an experienced rider. could
you please tell me:
1. How to attached the straps and fit the spurs correctly.
2. How to use them kindly on the horse but still get good results!
Thankyou very much and please reply soon,
Katherine
I can answer some of your
questions. As for how to put the straps on, it is difficult to explain,
it would be much better if you could have someone show you how to
do this. I personally ride Western, and the spur straps are a little
different than yours. You can ask someone at your local tack store,
ask your riding instructor, or anyone who has ridden in that type
of spur, and they should be able to help you out with how to put the
straps on.
As for fitting, you want them to be snug so that they don't slip up
or down. Make sure they are tight enough, and when you practice riding
if they slip you will know to tighten them.
I can give you one tip on keeping them from slipping. On my spurs,
I take a rubber band and loop it over the spur's tip, twist it, then
loop the other end over the heel of the boot. This will help keep
the spur from riding up.
I think you chose a good spur, however, as the Prince of Wales is
pretty small and light. There are all types of english and western
spurs out there, ranging from little stubs to larger rowels.
However, one thing you have to remember with a 'stub' type of spur,
like yours, is that it has no rowel and when it touches the horse
will not roll off like a rowel spur would. In other words, your spur
will 'stick' in the horse if you kick too hard, and not roll off his
side like a rowelled spur would. It can give him more of a poke.
To use them kindly, you need to get used to riding in them. You need
to be sure to keep your heels out of the horse; sometimes it is easy
to forget you have spurs on and you can accidentally spook or hurt
the horse.
You should practice on the horse you will be competing on. Ride him
around a bit and if he acts sluggish, very lightly bump him with your
spur. Do not kick or forcefully butt him, just give a light nudge.
After you and he get used to it, you should be able to determine the
amount of pressure needed to get him to respond. If he lunges forward
or acts spooked, you know you've nudged too hard. If he has no response,
you're nudging too lightly.
Remember the spur is not something used to hurt or force the horse
into performing; used properly, the spur should act as an extention
of your heel to give the horse a clearer signal. Some horses have
very quick responses, others are sluggish. Those that are sluggish
can benifit and understand cues better when you use a spur, as they
can feel exactly where you are nudging and can respond you your slightest
touch.
I am glad you asked me about using it kindly. That shows that you
do realize this.
Just like some bits have long shanks and look cruel, they can be much
kinder in a soft hand than a simple bit can be in a rough-rider's
hand. Does that make sense?
Really learning to use spurs correctly just takes a bit of practice.
How hard you nudge the horse depends on that individual horse; you
probably have a good leg from riding so much, so you will be able
to vary how much pressure you spur the horse with.
Let me know how your competition goes, and good luck!
I recently
emailed you asking for your advice on the use of spurs. I am writing
to give a big thankyou to your very helpful advice!
I have been schooling and jumping my cob now using the spurs, and
have noticed an extreme improvement in my and his proformance. Previously,
I found him sluggish and sometimes very stubborn, but now I ride
with spurs, he has become much more responsive and my teacher has
commented on how much more he listens to me! In her own words, she's
amazed at his transformation and now refers to him as a different
horse! I've even managed to do some leg-yeilding with him (even
though he's a cob!).
Unfortunately, due to 80 m.p.h winds a few weeks ago, my x-country
competition was cancelled. However, just last weekend I went to
showjumping competition with him, and we came 1st!
Once again, thank you for your helpful advice,
Katherine
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