I Admit It: I’m Not Qualified To Wear Spurs.
The issue: I ride an enormous Thoroughbred gelding. He flunked out of his first job before he even got to the racetrack – he was just too slow, even in training. Needless to say, he’s the more “whoa than go” type, and requires a good deal of consistent leg pressure to keep him moving forward. My life might be easier if I’d put on a pair of spurs, but I won’t.
IMO:
I’ve ridden several horses in spurs. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-spur. Some horses need that extra bit of motivation. I choose not to ride in spurs because I am not confident in my ability to use them effectively, without some accidental detriment to the horse. The first time I caused rubs on the side of a horse from spurs was an eye-opening experience for me. I could feel the difference in having the spur “on” his side and when it was “off.” But still, the fresh, pink spots marred the sides of his belly. I was embarrassed.
More equipment won’t fix the problem.
There are gadgets and methods out there designed to mask the laziness of riders who would rather ride in spurs instead of learning how to use them the correct way. A belly band, for example, exists solely for this purpose. Others leave a square of unclipped hair behind the girth line to help hide marks left by spurs and perhaps to skirt by the show stewards who are expected to enforce the blood rule. It’s understandable that some horses may have more sensitive skin than others, and therefore they rub more easily. But that doesn’t mean we should create and buy products meant to mask scabs we created on our own horses.
Be mindful.
I understand that the only way to learn to ride with spurs correctly and safely is by actually doing it. It requires practice, skill, and some level-headedness. But if you can’t get your horse around the arena without a set a spurs on your heels, I think that says more about you as a rider and a horseman than it does about your sluggish partner.
This hot take first published in the Heels Down Spark in January 2021. Sign up now to get conversation starters delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.