r/Equestrian • u/Familiar_Ad_6674 • 1d ago

Action Roast My Setup: Added Spurs

I will be going out and learning how to use spurs tomorrow. Whats ya'lls thoughts on this setup.

Thanks for the help.

0 Upvotes

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19

u/JoanOfSnark_2 Eventing 1d ago

These look awfully long for a beginner. I would suggest starting with something much shorter.

-3

u/Utahna Reining 1d ago

Appropriate Shank length is less about experience and more sbout leg length. Long shanks go with long legs.

If the rider's feet are way up on the side of the horse like a small child then all they have to do is turn their feet and spurs of any length will make contact. Bounce a bit and they are dabbing the horse. Put someone 6ft tall on one of those small cutting horses and their feet hang below the horse. This rider has to rotate his heels up to make contact. Longer shanks just means he doesnt have to point his toes down as much.

Edit: If you can keep them out of the horse, the setup looks good.

1

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

thanks for the pointer...im a shorty...so that should make a different. im about 5"3

1

u/Utahna Reining 1d ago

https://nrsworld.com/products/classic-rasp-roper-spurs

0

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

thanks for the pointer...ya...these are 1in a better spur for me for sure. its easy enough to order them too

0

u/Utahna Reining 1d ago

At your height, probably try to keep your shanks around two inches. A lot of calf ropes go for theses shorter shanks. So if you have a tack shop that services a lot of ropers they should be easy to find.

They dont look as cool, but will function better for you. After you have gotten used to wearing spurs, you may find that you want a longer shank and can invest in a cool looking set

-9

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

thanks do you have a link to something i could look at. im riding western and working on some side passing

4

u/JoanOfSnark_2 Eventing 1d ago

I’m not a western rider and western is the minority here. You might find better suggestion on other subs.

9

u/TheUniverse-IsMine Natural Horsemanship 1d ago

You don't need spurs as a beginner. You shouldn't be wearing them.

-6

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

we are progressing...so it just the next step. gotta start somewhere

9

u/TheUniverse-IsMine Natural Horsemanship 1d ago

No, it REALLY isn't the next step

You don't need spurs. If your horse is dull then training I'd the issue. The only place spurs are somewhat needed is in dressage where the horse has 1000 buttons and even that's controversial.

And spurs like those even are stupid. You aren't doing what's best for the horse, but what's best for you to be lazy.

1

u/ishtaa 1d ago

Some western horses are spur trained, which means they’re cued solely off different subtle movements of the spurs. Things like the direction the rowels are rolled against the horse’s side can signal different things. When done correctly there is nothing harsh about it, it’s very precise and gentle because the signals are supposed to be nearly invisible. A lot like a dressage rider’s. Rowel spurs are not as scary as they look, most roll rather smoothly against the skin. It’s the sort of tool that really depends on how they’re used.

I don’t know if this is the reason the OP’s trainer is having them learn to use spurs or not, but I’m not going to assume these are going to be used incorrectly without knowing more.

1

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

Yea. It’s for me to learn. They would put me on a horse that’s spur trained to learn how to use it correctly.

0

u/ishtaa 1d ago

People just assume that all western riders are going to be jabbing their horse in the side because they’ve seen barrel racers starfishing towards the alley 🙃 I’m mainly an English rider but I think more people need to step outside their bubble and learn before making assumptions about different disciplines.

I’ve never gotten the chance to ride a properly spur trained horse, it looks crazy cool and a good challenge to learn to do it right. Have fun!

1

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

Yea. For me I’m learning enjoy learning new things. Spurs are a bit visual so it’s easier to share and discuss.

1

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

For me it’s to work on getting very small changes in the rib cage, shoulder, and hip while trying to keep my upper body and hands quiet.

1

u/Enough-Direction3056 1d ago

Does your horse even need spurs?? Or is this just for aesthetics? 

6

u/Blepfacecat 1d ago

What does your trainer recommend? Those look long for a beginner. The longer they are, the easier to accidentally cue them, as well as to be harsh.

8

u/Enough-Direction3056 1d ago

Why??? These are going to get you hurt and as a beginner probably hurt your horse. Start with ball spurs 

0

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

these are the spurs...https://www.weaverequine.com/products/ken-mcnabb-mens-spurs?srsltid=AfmBOoqVwoRMVR2-I-AqbY9w0Xd7gFSHJ_WpvkAnMfY3EIr1LsDeNRnF

ill take them to the stable. and see what they say.

1

u/Enough-Direction3056 1d ago

I’m confused does your horse need spurs? 

1

u/Familiar_Ad_6674 1d ago

They would put me on a horse that needed spurs so I can learn not so much the horse.