tamzin
Intermediate Poster
Posts: 247
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Post by tamzin on Dec 30, 2009 8:09:18 GMT 1
yep never understood why people need them. Especially dressage riders. If they are so good they shouldnt even need spurs.
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Post by heather on Dec 30, 2009 10:59:25 GMT 1
Spurs should never, EVER mark a horse. And as a classical rider, who rides in them every day, I would be mortified if my spur ever marked a horse. I can truthfully say that I have never in many years of using spurs, come even close to marking a horse.
Correctly used, they are never used in a backward, jabbing manner, but with a very precise pressure, slightly inwards and forwards manner, with absolutely no force whatsoever. Heck, my sensitive Lusitanos would have me on the indoor school rafters if I used the spur with anything other than tact and precision!
You cannot possibly place a leg aid as precisely with the whole calf, whereas, the spur correctly used, is more like pressing a button. When riding at highest levels, you need the precision of such a refined aid, which should be almost invisible to the onlooker.
Just as with everything else, whip, spur, bit, it is not the tool but how it is used that renders it an aid, or a punishment. Mind you, I have seen plenty of horses with bald patches from the rider's never ending nagging with the legs!
Heather
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Post by Yann on Dec 30, 2009 11:50:57 GMT 1
I did notice on the TV coverage the other week that not all the top showjumpers on view actually appeared to be wearing spurs.
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Post by gemmamarygold on Dec 30, 2009 11:56:55 GMT 1
I do wonder how SJ would be if it could be done without spurs and whips LOL, you'd be able to tell if the horse was doing it because it wanted to, not doing it to avoid a whip/spurring ? Spurs are banned for endurance. Whips have to be less than 75cm, and are not allowed on the last loop of an endurance ride. I don't have a problem with spurs AS LONG AS they are worn and used correctly.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2009 12:30:59 GMT 1
I don't have a problem with spurs AS LONG AS they are worn and used correctly. I totally agree, my problem with spurs is really that I think people get lazy and use them to compensate for bad riding and those are exactly the people who shouldn't use them! Personally I'd stop anyone under the age of 16 using them too as I think it's totally unnecessary.
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Post by heather on Dec 30, 2009 18:41:51 GMT 1
Personally I'd stop anyone under the age of 16 using them too as I think it's totally unnecessary. 100% in agreement with this, michellep! Heather
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Post by june on Dec 30, 2009 19:07:14 GMT 1
I did notice on the TV coverage the other week that not all the top showjumpers on view actually appeared to be wearing spurs. I thought that at first too but when I looked closely those I thought weren't wearing them were wearing black ones, so much harder to see.
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Post by Lynsey on Dec 30, 2009 19:38:36 GMT 1
Spurs shouldn't mark at all and should only be used in very experienced hands (or legs). That being said I once marked a very thin skinned TB racer by wearing cowboy boots (was in a racing saddle too so have no idea how I managed to). I had hardly used my legs at all and was absolutely mortified to have done it.
I agree that kids should not be using spurs - completely unnecessary.
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