A lot of people at my barn need to read this. I feel sorry for their horses with all their jab-jab-jabbing!
I have used spurs with 2 different horses. If the horse and rider are trained for the use of spurs they can be a great aid or cue. However if neither are trained to use the spurs they can find themselves in a dangerous situation. Use of spurs should not be taken lightly.
I disagree with when they say "if you ask you horse to lope off a hundred times and he dosen't listen, you need spurs" If you horse dosen't listen he's not dull he is being disrespectful and chosing not to listen to you. You need to teach him to listen not say "you're going to canter and if you don't I'm going to jab you with my spur". What happens if the horse dosen't understand? Then you panic and confuse him by hurting him when he has no idea what you're asking???? NO! Teach him what you want, if you keep using spurs your horse won't respect you enough to listen to you if you take them off!----Thanks for reading, this is just my opinion.
I think when you're deciding whether or not to use spurs, you need to go to an experienced trainer for a few sessions and have him/her work with you first. If you're even thinking about using spurs, odds are your opinion will be biased, plus, no amount of articles actually addresses you and your horse SPECIFICALLY, a real person who sees you and your horse work will. I am thinking of using spurs on my 4 y/o lazy gelding, but won't unless I can find a good trainer, because I have no experience with this and don't want to ruin my horse. Just my two cents.
Personally im against spurs unless there necesary. All horses really need to do what is asked is an experianced, gentle rider and some kind words and the horse will try their best. But if spurs are necesarry i would say you should indded go to an experianced trainer thats not rough with horses and ask their opinion. if they say you should get some take lessons on how to use them because there are times you could get scared and dig youre heels in which could scare and hurt the horse. so if youre thinking about spurs dont base it on your riding style but youre horse i ride western and never use a whip or spurs and my horse and all the others listen to my kind words and try their hardest to please me.
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.
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.
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.
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