The Horse Forum banner

Spurs or Crop?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Spurs vs Crops?

13K views 44 replies 30 participants last post by  Rule of Reason 
#1 · (Edited)
Which do you prefer for your pokey pony?

I use spurs as I don't have to give as much as a squeeze before she's off cantering. She's one of those clever mares so one squeeze with spurs in the beginning keeps her very responsive the whole lesson.
 
#2 ·
I like the refinement spurs give me when riding a fairly well trained horse. If forced to choose one over the other I'd have to pick spurs. However, when training dressage I'm known to have a dressage whip in hand ;] Also, out on cross country I find a crop a must! If only simply as a safety measure. But sometimes that extra umph a well placed tap can give you is just necessary.
 
#3 ·
I've never used a crop, spurs are easier to use, because you don't have to hold the crop in your hand throughout the ride. But when I use spurs (sometimes, depends on the day) I use ballpoint spurs. My horse's are very responsive, so there's no need for a "harsher" spur.
 
#4 ·
I never use spurs, but I keep a short crop with me if my horse doesn't respect my leg in ring.
 
#7 ·
i prefer a crop.

also, you cant accidentally use the crop like you can spurs. they are so often misused.
 
#8 ·
Crop. I used spurs on my dead sided mare when I competed Novice with her, but I don't trust myself with them on any other horse.

So yeah, crop if necessary.

Always on XC though. No matter what horse.
 
#12 ·
I use a dressage whip, I have never used spurs. If he doesn't respond to my leg aid properly, he gets a light tap, works every time. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
 
#13 ·
Spurs. Occassionally in dressage I'll carry a whip as well, but it depends on the horse. Willie loves working, so the spurs just help him wake up a tiny bit and I usually don't even need to use them after the first 25 minutes, plus at AECs you can't use a dressage whip, so when I was preparing for that I didn't use a dressage whip anyway.

However on an Oldenburg I used to ride spurs were a no go and I used a crop or dressage whip instead.

And as others have said, always have your crop on cross country! Always.
 
#14 ·
I have never used spurs, I never need them. On a horse I ride in lessons I ALWAYS use a crop. He likes to be wiggly, cut corners, and he is a "pokey pony", no doubt. I use the crop for corrections, and when he slows down 'll give him a good slap.

With spurs I would be afraid of tearing the poor creature's sides open :shock:.. What if I kick to hard? I might rip their flesh open! :-o Lol.
 
#18 ·
If your talking about what to use to get mroe forward - I just use my seat and the end of one of my split reins - much better than a crop :]

Spurs were not intended to create forward so i don't use them for that.

I ride in spurs a lot. I use them to refine my aids, especially on my show horse.
 
#20 ·
I use a crop..never used spurs on my pony..
SHe has to much energy, but if she's being a mare and not wanting to work/listen there is always that third leg (crop) .

Spurs would scare me...but i have a feeling they are in my future..im teaching my mare a flying lead change and i see them now out in the tack trunk...I Hope not!!!


I just noticed i make no sense... Just forget about my blabbering!!
 
#23 ·
I use ladies campdraft spurs - plain stainless steel with a swan neck and a rowel like this:



I HATE dummy spurs/fixed end spurs and so does my horse. Blunt, fixed end spurs jab into the side of the horse and can cause extensive bruising.

A rowelled spur, when used properly, is rolled up the horses side and not jabbed inward.

Sharp spurs or spurs being used improperly can cause cuts, but I stress, that is not how they are meant to be used.

If I put blunt, fixed end spurs on Bundy, he tries to buck every time I use them. he is happy as larry with my rowel spurs.

Plus, the swan neck means I don't have to change the position of my foot to engage them.
 
#25 ·
Hmmm - Examples of when I use my spurs...

Mostly for lateral work and turns, and also to enable my aids for things like canter depart to become minute.

I can ask for either canter lead from a walk by just shifting my hip bone, dropping my outside leg, and moving my spur a whisker closer to his side. Up he bounces into canter.

I can move his shoulders, his rib cage, and his hind end with a tiny movement of my heel so my spur contacts.

When i'm doing a haunch turn (a 180 at a gallop) again all I have to do is drop my hip, bring my outside leg back, and open one rein slightly and close the other.

A rollback is similar.

When I have my spurs on, he becomes light as a feather - he is tuned in to the muscles in my legs tensing - I actually hardly have to touch him with my spur. It gives him 'incentive' to move off my leg.

Without the spurs, he will still do the manouvers, but he is sluggish and I need to contact him with my whole heel to get the response.

We also have some isues with losing momentum through turns - For this I use a soft cotton braid (A giddy up rope/wip ***) and once the turn is finished, I swing it around onto his butt. If I tried to urge him forward with the spur, he would jack up and get pissy, which does not look fluid.
 
#28 ·
My horse is propelled by jet fuel so spurs are a definite no-no. I'd imagine I could get a good steady strong canter on him with no shoes on, to be honest.
I don't use a whip for the most part. I carry a whip with a short lash on the flat so I can flick it to tuck in his hindquarters. I carry a whip jumping in my lessons because my instructor likes us too, and of course I carry a whip cross country because its a good idea. But in the seven years I've had my gelding, and six and a half eventing/competing jumper with him.. He's stopped a grand total of once.
 
#29 ·
I very rarely ride without my crop :) Right now it's kind of even a bit of a comfort thing for me...I'll go weeks on end without using it. BUT...there are times when it comes in handy and I'm always thankful to have it (aka...when Brooke decides to be a little snot, or when she tries to refuse a jump). Apparently, I am one of the only riders who do NOT ride Brooke with spurs (probably cause my legs are actually long enough for her barrel), but I have used spurs before (very blunt ones) on other horses. Right now I have hardly any muscle in my leg so I wouldn't trust myself with spurs.

I think both tools have their place, it just all depends on the rider, the situation and the horse.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top