Which Spurs?

My spurs live on my boots. I never ride without them. I hardly ever use them but I like having them there as a back up. Every trainer I have ever ridden with had me do it. Its kind of just a natural thing for me to have now.

Ah, they must be used more in western riding. I have competed at dressage, done hacking (trail rides) and never ever had reason to use spurs on my Clydesdale. Its rare that we use them in England apart from when doing top level competitive dressage or Polo and even then, it is rider choice.

It is, and I didn't wear them for years, but now I never ride without them. You have to make an effort to turn your foot to engage the spur so it's just like carrying a whip - you don't have to use them.

Well I am an event rider, my british coach who was GP Dressage in the UK wouldn't let me sit on a horse without them. My Olympic(he was on the Canadian Event Team) event coach wouldn't let me ride without them. Same with my GP Jumper coach, who was from the UK. I am not a western rider other then to do some lower level stuff once and awhile. I focus on Eventing and Hunter/Jumper.

As already mentioned, you have to make an effort to use the spur. If your leg and foot are in proper position it should never touch the horse. Its always there as a just in case back up like a crop.