Spurs - up or down?

I got a pair of slip on spurs that look like this;;


Do you wear them so the rolly thing points up or points down? To me they look like they should point down. But i'm not 100% sure...

Down =)

I say down too

I'm going to go against the consensus and say up :]

They look similar to these spurs, and these always point up. It's really hard to actually contact the horse with the spur and keep a good leg position if they are pointing down!

Down.

Does anyone have an actual reason why they are saying down?

If they are pointing down, you are going to have to drop your toe and lift your heel to even touch your horse. That throws your whole position off.

I am strongly suggesting up!

Cuz that's how most spurs are made to be used. If you go into a tack shop they will probably say to use them down.

http://www.cdi-raleigh.com/2006FEIUSEF%20RULES.doc


1. In FEI and Championship Classes, observe the following arena opening and closing procedure:

Open ring after final salute, close after the rider leaves arena, open at next signal (whistle or bell), close at halt at X. In FEI rules, if a competitor enters before signal, he is ELIMINATED.

For classes other than CDI classes and USDF/USEF Championships, the part of the arena at A can be left open between rides.

2. Dress:
In extreme heat and/or humidity (no specific temperature criteria), management can allow competitors to show without jackets, but only in USEF classes, not in CDI classes. FEI level riders in USEF shows are allowed to remove jackets as well as USEF level riders. However, competitors must wear a regulation hat and solid white or very pale colored long or short sleeved shirt, without neckwear.
Competitors will be allowed to wear a hat cover and a transparent or conservative color rain coat in inclement weather.
Spurs must be made of metal. The shank must be either curved or straight, pointing directly back from the center of the spur. If the shank is curved, the spurs must be worn only with the shank directed downward. However, swan-necked spurs are allowed. The arms of the spur must be smooth. If rowels are used, they must be free to rotate. Metal spurs with round hard plastic knobs on the shank are allowed (“Impuls” spur). “Dummy” spurs with no shank are also allowed.This rule also applies to warm-up and training areas, as well as during competition.
This rule regulating spurs should be interpreted as follows: ‘The shank of the spur must be located directly in the center of the back of the spur; it may not be offset, either to the inside or outside. It is permissible that spurs point up, down, or straight back. However, a spur may never be worn upside down. In effect this means that a “curved neck spur” is legal, and a spur that turns up when it was not intended to be worn that way is not permitted. French spurs, offset spurs, fixed rowels and plastic spurs are not permitted. The restriction on spurs applies to warm-up areas as well as during competition. Please note that a spur worn upside down may be no different than a spur made to turn up.


Just remember that spurs are worn a few inches up from the heel of the rider's boot so in effect the rider should not have to put their heel up for the spur to come into effect.

Thanks for posting that Spyder!

Good bit of information there, spider, but what conclusion did it bring you? Up or Down?

I ride my boy in spurs the same as I posted above, but with a smooth rowel, and I can tell you if they pointed down in any way I would have a hard time getting them to touch him without sticking my toes out! And he has a very deep barrell.

Trissa, I use my spurs how they were made to be used and that is upward :] It might be a different thing for different countries, though. Different again between disciplines, as I sue campdrafting spurs and sometimes cutting spurs, have never used dummy spurs or 'impuls' spurs.