Hi Everyone---

I've been told that it's time to add spurs, not because Macho is "dead sided" but, more appropriately, as an additional aid in communication with the horse.

here's the thing, my experience with spurs are close to nil. In NJ, not many (if any!) tack shops seem to carry spurs--english type, yes, western, no. so, all ihave to look at are catalogues...

can anyone help with the education? i assume a smaller rowel is less agressive, and fewer points as well (like a cloverleaf?).

Thanks so much

Betsey

Actually the opposite is true. A large rowel with many points is more forgiving than a smaller one with few points. The large rowel covers more area and is less like poking a pin into your horse. Spurs are a signal aid to be used when your leg cue fails to send the message. Generally you don't jab with them, but just bump or roll the rowel on your horse. They can help when you need them, but can also cause problems if you are not careful. Sometimes when you get tense (horse shys, or jumps at something) the tendency is to grab on with your legs, and if you're not careful you'll spur your horse and make matters worse. You can get some larger "sunset" style rowels (2"-2.25") at most tack shops, cheap work spurs like that sell in Canada for around $40-$50. Be prepared for the comments though: "Wow, those big spurs look really cruel, do you use those on your horse???"

Ranchroper is correct. Spurs are like bits, they are only as cruel as the rider makes them. Blunt rowels have a tendancy to grab and not turn, larger rowels with smaller tips on the points have a tendancy to spin easier. Large rowels with few points can be wicked. Small rowels create more pressure as do the ball tip "humane" spurs.

Spurs can be used very effectively with little pressure. They become an extension of your heel and will create pressue just by touching them. A person doesn't have to really "kick" them for the spur to work. Many times if a horse was started with spurs, they need spurs to get them to respond. They learn to not respond unless the spur touches them and many times they get labeled as dead sided. My wife's show mare is this way.

If you have active feet and legs, use shorter shanked spurs, if you have quiet legs and feet, you can get away with longer shanked spurs. Wider bands keep the spur in place better than narrow bands. Narrow banded spurs usually need heel chains or straps to hold them down. balance is really important to keep the spur in place on the boot. Tighter bands and tighter straps usually make the spur ride up. Looser bands and loose straps let the spur fall down and they stay in place better.

[ January 14, 2008, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: NW ]

See my quote?

I got into a little about spurs on a blog site that I write in. I'd appreciate if anybody would take a look in and leave some comments. I try to keep my opinions pretty flexible and would like to hear what you all got to say.

reinersblog.com/al

Betsey,

Good comments from NM and Ranchroper.....great guidance and information...

I use short shanked spurs with a clover leaf rowel. I have a tendency to "ride with my legs and feet" a situation I've been trying to correct for 30 years. I rode a lot bareback with I was young and learning to ride.

The short shank and dull rowel allows me to inadvertently touch my horse with the spurs without any reaction. when I do cue my horse, he can tell the difference between an accidental "bump" and a "for real" cue.

I'd recommend trying several pairs until you find one that suits you and your horse. Your riding style, horse and the job you and your horse are doing will influence the type and style of spur you need.

Just my thoughts on the situation......

All very good information so far. I had to go to a spur with a longer shank because I am long legged, (size 36 inseam) and usually ride foundation bred quarterhorse that are only about 14.2hh. I was having to move my legs too much to even reach my horse. Fitting spurs properly is a very individual proposition. I finally found a pair in a tack shop in Texas that were made by George Blackwood that where exactly what I had been looking for for over a year.

Funny you said that 73Sharps, my legs are short and I was told to go with a shorter shank because of the way my legs layed on my horses barrel.

I also have a pr. of Blackwood spurs and purchased them from National Roper Supply a few years ago. I think they call them NRS spurs now, but they have a nice weight to them and an inch band. One thing to watch for is Western Pleasure spurs. I found their shanks curve in towards the barrel. So, Betsy since you are starting out, you may want to avoid these or have them straighted.

And get jingle bobs just because. You'll turn lots of heads walking through any place with'm. Trust Me.

thank you everyone for the information! i do appreciate it...now, for a few more questions.....

unfortunatly, i don't have anyone to borrow spurs from, and buying a bunch to try, just is not cost effective...

so, let's go with this...i think i want a short shank (i'm 5'6-7 and a chunk, so i'm not a leggy person). my leg is reasonably quiet, but i want to take care, so a short shank is probably more in line...

now..rowels....explain them to me! what would you experienced people suggest?

and finally, Mike Franklin...what on earth are jingle bobs?????

betsey

Hi Betsey,
I have a pair I purchased a while back and don't really wear them any more. They have a short shank and you are more than welcome to borrow them to get an idea on what you might like.

If you are interested, just PM me and we can figure out how to get them to you.

CRH

[ January 14, 2008, 09:48 PM: Message edited by: Cowboys Restless Heart ]

I don't know about NRS spurs, but George Blackwood has a spur shop where he and his help still make custom spurs. I was told at the saddle shop that George, the old man, doesn't make most of the spurs any more, but every once in a while he will still go down and turn out a pair himself. The ones he makes himself he marks with a seperate mark. The old fella that owned the shop I got these from said he had known the Blackwood family for years, and would call up George every once in a while and have him make two or three pair for him and his shop to sale. Any way, that's the tale he told me, and for all I know he fed me a big windy. But I like the spurs, regardless. They are the heaviest spurs I've ever owned, but the weight has turned out to be an asset rather than a problem. Keeps them quiet and in place.

Betsy, mine have 1 1/4" 10-point rowells that are pretty blunt. I think that's a pretty middle-of-the-road size for most general work.

Jingle bobs are little noise makers that go on the axis the rowel turns on. They make noise as you walk (almost like a little bell) and jingle just a little as the horse moves. Old Cowboys claim that the sound tends to sooth a horse, that the nose also gives the horse a beat to move to.
If I were you I'd get a pair of cheaper spurs to try before I spent a bunch'a money. You really would be better off getting someone to train you in their use. Any Western Trainer ought to have a few pair setting around. Within the first day or so you ought to notice a difference.

I'll probably get a lot of flack here, but here we go,....don't count out english spurs either. If you are just starting out with them you might find that they are a good transition to western spurs which generaly have a longer shank and obviously have a rowel. They are a little more forgiving if you accidentally catch your horses side as well. I am 5'4" and on the stocky side, and I ride a half draft with a rather large barrel, perhaps not the 7'2" girth of Emmett Dalton, but large enough that my feet lay directly on his barrel, the english spurs allow him to feel my aids more directly, but allow for a little forgiveness if I get lazy and bump him. Just a thought.

Jingle bobs are the most obnoxious of all of God's creations, well them and wolves, and I'd love to take wire cutters to every one of them.

Bobby INgersoll say's they were awarded by the cowboss to the really good buckaroos one at a time.

But I know a few people with old spur collections (from the vaquero era) and not a single one has jingle bobs on them.

Jingle bobs are one of those deals that sound great for a while but can really get annoying after some time, especially to the people you ride with who chose not to wear them. They're also kinda dangerous... I've heard some really colorful, possibly unbelievable, stories about guys getting them caught in the cinch and being hung up on them (also a spanish ranch story).

Ya but they sure do sound nice....

...for about the first 5 minutes.

Hmmm, do you think that's why they always send me off to the far corners of the lease by myself looking for cattle? I thought it was because I was the strong independant type...

[ January 15, 2008, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: ranchroper ]

If I ever get to wear my bits and spurs don't look like I got them out of a cereal box, and glued them together... (I mean I start making them to sell) I will refuse to put jingle bobs on my spurs.

well then, here's a question....

are jinglebob's a regional thing?????

Beats me, about the regional deal, I just know a bunch'a guys who wear'm. I don't see how in the world they could be a threat if they did get snagged in anything. They're fairly easily lost and there's a whole industry built around replacements.
Speaking of such things, lots of the older Mexican Cowboys put bells on their headstalls. I don't see the younger guys doing it though.

I have a bell I hang on the breast collar on young horses I'm riding. I feel it helps to keep them in rhythm when they first are learning to carry weight at a trot. They don't want to slow down as fast as they do if they don't have the bell on. Even with that, I feel that is annoying to me but I still use it as a training aid.

[ January 16, 2008, 11:54 AM: Message edited by: NW ]

Now that you mention it, I rode with a guy last fall who had a bell hanging from his cinch. Kind of annoying though, I could hardly hear my spurs...

quote:

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Originally posted by ranchroper:
Now that you mention it, I rode with a guy last fall who had a bell hanging from his cinch. Kind of annoying though, I could hardly hear my spurs...

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ranchroper, that was cute.