To spur or not to spur!!

So you don't even know how to use them but you hate them.

Gotcha.

Just hate the thought that's all. Don't hate them or people that use them :( :(

I don't understand why you hate the thought; when used correctly there is no harm. I've seen more harm from bits than spurs.

I am for spurs.
I hate crops, really - they look sloppy unless you are a pro at carrying them, they don't work on the shoulder, which is the only place you can reach without grabbing both reins with one hand, and when you do use one hand, you can end up dorpping a rein and then you have a fast horse and no breaks. So yea, I hate them :p I do wear spurs on the lesson horses I ride. They are spur-rode, totally broke to them. I don't use them with my Arab, because she would have a fit with them. So really I think it depends on the horse and the rider. The horse has to have a calm enough mind to handle it, and the rider has to have a calm enough leg.
I have been riding for 8+ yrs and I only just started with spurs last year. I just wasn't confident enough with my leg. But now that I know how to control my legs easily, spurs became good for me. I don't think spurs are cruel in any way - I think that -some- people that use them are cruel (ex, the 12 yr old boy Isuel mentioned.)

IMO If you aren't coordinated enough to put both reins in one hand to use a crop, you shouldn't use one.

You have no earthly idea what spurs, when correctly used, do to a horse. But you hate the thought of what they do.

Do you use crops?

Do you use whips?

Do you use bits? If so, what kind of bit?

Do you use a saddle? If so, how heavy is it?

All of those things, including the saddle, are cruel when used or fitted incorrectly.

Can you see where this is going? Can you see how hard it is to take you seriously on this topic?

I am meeting with a new trainer tomorrow and am going to ask her opinion on them. I can definitely see that they can be an awesome training tool especially when dealing with a less sensitive horse. I can see also having them on for those "just in case" moments. The last person I was working with said I took to them well and she wasn't afraid of me over using them. I would like to continue to learn more about using them properly and effectively. Not everyone can ride with reins in one hand not because of lack of coordination but because of how their horse is trained. Mac does not neck rein at all and many have said that most drafts don't because of the muscle density they don't feel the light cue of the reins... I'm not 100% convinced of that though, but I know right now he doesn't.

Just because you hold the reins in one hand to apply the crop doesn't mean you neck rein. It should be a split second thing.
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A) A dressage whip does not require you to place both reins in one hand to be used correctly. In fact, when carried correctly just a flick of the wrist is all it takes to apply it.

B) A crop does need you to place both reins in one hand while you use it, but as soon as you apply the crop you bring that hand back up and take the rein in it. You don't ride with both reins in one hand all the time.

Please don't use spurs until your legs are rock solid and you are 100% sure, as observed by someone on the ground, that you never accidentally spur your horse because your leg flops around.