I only just recently started wearing spurs with my gelding. He listens quite well to most cues, but he's really learned to just lean on my leg when I would try to move his shoulder. After talking with multiple trainers, I was told to try some small, soft spurs. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to use them correctly, and one trainer told me, "Get better and be the kind of rider that can." Her advice like that has really stuck with me.

Great explanation on spurs, their use and why they are different, via shank length, spur type and size. Great info a thanks!

You can use long shanks, and hence large rowels with short legs. Here is an adage, Short legs = drop-shanks, medium legs = straight shanks (like Ryans Chihuahua spurs), Long legs = up turned shanks. this will help you keep your spurs off your horse until you intend them to be there, or help you reach your horse if your feet hang below your horse.

I have used spurs and not with my current horse. I actually dulled him to the spurs a number of years back after I was in an accident and my right leg was not effective. A trainer helped me add a cue to back up my leg without using spurs-if he ignored my leg, I wiggled the dressage whip near his eye to remind him of the go forward cue. That was enough to be able to modify my use of aids. Of course, he is not a competition horse so this method of adding a cue may not work for everyone. In years past, I have used Prince of Wales type spurs with my dressage horses. I really enjoy your videos!

Another useful spur is commonly called a barrel racing spur. It's just a zig zag metal pattern but it's on inside of heel. Not going to hurt your horse or make him buck, just adds some oomph to leg cues.

I recently fell in love with spurs! I have always had light hands and light legs and as a result had issues moving my boys hind end effectively(he's young). With my spurs I can apply a bit more pressure in the right area without tensing up or just kicking or really turning my leg out of place.

Great job I have a round rowl. I'm just helping him learn from the ground. I need more experience don't want a 😮special ride.

Appreciate anyone willing to publicly talk about spurs. I believe they are a tool . The person using them is what makes it good or bad. You didn't show any Mexican spurs wouldn't encourage them myself anyway. I have seen scars on horses from spurs . But I think they should be worn and used properly. Ladies you can and should have a relationship with your horse but they are not your children. God bless y'all and thank you Ryan

Ta, I don't use them because I don't have enough control over my legs, especially if things are fast, like team penning

I was given a stallion to ride for a while on a ranch I worked on. If he didnt hear the jingle of spurs when i walked up, he would not move an inch once I mounted up. It was just the way he was trained, I never had to touch him, just a shift of my weight and he knew what I wanted, but we always joked about my jingle-bob spurs cuz he planted his feet and wouldn't budge without hearing them.

I learned the hard way about Spurs. I have always ridden with them and I have a great little mare, but we went to go up a hill and she lunged forward I got caught off balance and squeezed to stay on and it was a rodeo that I lost. I spent all summer laid up with PT and the fear was swallowing me. I got a plan together to NOT wear them anymore because I am not that great with my legs. She has 3 buttons and I only used them for zeroing in on them. I will now just use my heel. Ryan, I found your videos as I’ve been healing and have learned so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are very articulate & sensible.👍🏻🐎

Well explained sir. A gem of a comment i was given is” every aid can be a weapon if used wrong “ I really enjoy your honesty 🙂. “ i use these ones because I like the sound they make “😂😂. And I have learnt some good stuff both from you and the comments. I use dressage spurs similar to the one you showed when im doing jousting or skill at arms. She is a clydesdale x stock horse and can be very thick skin😀. As soon as she knows you have them ( i click them together before i get on) she softens right up 9 times out of ten i never have to touch her with them. A aid has a time and a place. It was 3 years of constant riding and training before my mentor allowed me to even look at a pair of spurs. Keep your vids coming they are great, fun and informative in a very refreshing neutral way ( no you must do it like this kind a thing. Cheers again and thanks to Anthony soares for your informative comment 👍

Helpful. Thanks.

Ryan, can you comment on "Rolling the Spur" vs. "Poking" that would be a nice little adder to the discussion about spurs. Lots of people are pokers not rollers.

Almost like tickling someone in their side with your finger vs the palm of your hand.

Thank you for restating this important info! I do want to stress the need to check your horse for rib issues! Some horses are way to sensitive for a spur!!!

I do enjoy the stick spur but my horse never needed them he was lots of whoa and very smart.

I don't use them, but I can't hate on proper use, it's a personal choice for me, I always learn something from you Ryan...thank you God's peace!

That was great. Straight to the point and full of good hints. Thank you.. Teaching a young horse to walk quickly atm. Never used spurs and I'm 50 years old..

Great video...I always wondered.

I used bumper spurs when I first rode my rescue horse. But after working with him in moving forward I now do not have to use the spur. I have learned through your videos I can use a differant approach.

Thank you for the explanation about what spurs to use. I was thinking about using spurs knowing the object is not to use them.

This was very informative

I subscribed

Great information!

Oh my god, the horse gets blunt with leg pressure. Hell no. Remember horses have more nerves than us. They can feel you through a pad and saddle. I never use spurs and my horses went. Riding is using your whole body with the horse. Communication is through back seat legs and heel. If you use a bit or have reins arms hands etc. Let's not forget the voice.

Never have and NEVER WILL

Also the way the shank is turned upward or downward can help when there is a size difference so that the rider is able to still reach the right point on the horse, right?

turn subtitles please

Mr.Rose, This is a little off topic however, my wife died 2 years ago, she had an older horse "Doc"..she made me promise to not ride him before she died. Up to now I have honored the promise but, his physical appearance is thin. He is well feed but not exercising. I am hoping you can recommend maybe, some sort of an exercise program that can help me keep my promise but also keep "Doc" healthy. Please no haters respond...I would be grateful for solid advice without hatespeak...God's peace to all

SPurs are for short people. My legs are long enough I can't get a spur on a horse without HUGE front or rear movements to the shoulder or hip. SPurs are for the MOST SUBTLE signals. Hands and heels make the horse. Leave the spurs in the store. You will NEVER need them. They don;t fill Holes In YOUR skills