Training in the Right Way: Let’s Talk About Spurs…

And their purpose and how to use them correctly (rather than like a jerk).

Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier it is to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Although competition dressage training often is more focused on training for the dressage test, that is not what the original intention (and original judging requirements) were for competitive dressage. Initially, it was designed to give riders and trainers a way to determine how their training measured up to the theoretical ideal of the training process. That said, it is critically important to understand the meanings and reasons for some of the terms we use to describe dressage training and what to look for when observing training and competition (and videos and photos), regardless of whether you intend to compete or just train your horse to be a better whatever you do with him. That, ultimately, is the main purpose of my articles. To provide education and knowledge for riders to understand and improve their eye and understanding of what dressage training is supposed to be. While there will always be some differences in practice and theory, good horse training is always recognizable to the educated eye. That said, it absolutely is necessary that we remember and understand that limited knowledge is limited judgment.

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This week’s topic was inspired by a recent conversation with a student of mine in Maine. I know I have touched on the various aids, both natural and artificial, but I don’t think we’ve had much discussion about the purpose and correct use of the spur. Given some of the things I’ve seen recently, I think it’s a topic well worth highlighting.

To start, the spur is a very often misunderstood piece of equipment. Many riders think of it as a training tool that can be used whenever and however they wish. Other folks feel as though the spur should be banned, and no one should use it. As with so many things in horse training, the truth is somewhere in between.

This is a good example of a properly fitted spur and strap. The adornment was accidentally picked up while walking to the barn. Photo (c) Julie Hoogeveen

First and foremost, when I refer to the use of the spur in this article, I am only referring to the spurs that the FEI and USEF consider to be “acceptable” in competition. I am NOT advocating for ALL SPURS that have ever existed. There are some spurs that should simply never be used because there is no humane way to use them. The different types found amongst “acceptable’ spurs — from smooth edged, short necked styles to rowels — are to give the rider the ability to use the spur that the horse responds the best to. This is because the correct use of the spur is actually to do everything in your power to NOT use them (stay with me, I’ll explain).

It is important to keep in mind that what makes a spur an instrument of pain, or abuse, is the rider, not the equipment itself. In fact, the requirement of wearing spurs in international dressage competition is supposed to be proving the rider’s mastery of the use of this piece of equipment. It is NOT supposed to be used to force horses to perform.

I feel like I might need to say that more than once.

The correct use of any style of spur (remember what I said about which spurs I am referring to in the previous paragraph) is to give the rider the ability to use an appropriate leg aid and gain the horse’s productive reaction. The correct use of the spur is when the leg of the rider has already been applied, and the response needs to be greater than what the horse already offered. So, the rider turns the toe of their foot out SLIGHTLY, for the moment of one leg aid, and places the spur against the horse’s side, and then releases the aid. It can be given again, but NEVER HELD on the horse’s side, or rubbed against it, and certainly never repetitively every stride.

If you are riding a horse that “needs” the spur dug into its side, or applied every stride of a movement, or rubbed constantly against the horse’s side (or draws blood or removes the hair from the horse’s side) YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!

Also, if you find yourself making excuses at this moment that sound like “well, MY horse…”  you need to retrain your horse to the leg aid. Yes, it is possible (though bear in mind that possible does not necessarily equate with easy).

Correct use of the spur is often more a matter of knowing how and when not to use it. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson.

The reason that spurs come in different shapes and styles is to accommodate different horse’s reactions to the leg aid and the spur itself. The differences are NOT supposed to be about severity (as that’s not how spurs are meant to be used).

• Short/Rounded: The shorter, rounder spur has a milder feel to it. This type of spur is best for a more reactive horse, as it does not have a sharp feel (when used correctly).
• Longer/Thinner: These spurs that have thinner, finer ends of the neck have a sharper feel to them. But still the purpose is not to cause as much pain as possible but instead they are supposed to allow the rider to use a lighter leg aid on a horse that is slower to react to the leg of the rider.
• Rowels: The purpose of the rowel (the disc that may have a fine edge or blunted points on it) is to make the sharper edge of the spur LESS likely to cause pain because the disc rolls on the horse’s side (they are not meant to cut into the horse when used correctly). Some horses prefer rowels and are more responsive to them because of the rolling feeling.

Proficient use of the spur can greatly aid the training process and it would be fair to say that anyone wishing to productively train their horse or be considered an effective rider should seek to understand the correct use of them. This connects back to why riders are required to wear spurs in international competitive dressage: It is supposed to show the rider’s mastery of the use of this piece of equipment. Which means, in that scenario, if the rider has a hot horse, they have the right style of spur (dull, rounded, short neck) AND the rider can give all the aids necessary without ever touching the horse’s side with the spurs. If a rider has a horse that is more dull to the aids, they would be correct to have a spur that has a rowel or a less rounded edge, so that when they do use the spur it has the desired effect, and then does not need to be used continuously.

Ultimately, for training or competition, it is the rider’s responsibility to know what type of spur to use, when to use it, when not to use it, and how it should be used. And if the rider cannot ride the horse with spurs and control their leg movement (or impulses) enough to keep the spur from touching the horse’s side unnecessarily, repetitively, or emotionally, they should not be using spurs. Spurs, like any piece of training equipment (or aid, really), are not in and of themselves problematic. Instead, they become problematic when used incorrectly by someone lacking the required knowledge or empathy.

Remember: limited knowledge is limited judgment.

Gwyneth and Flair in competition at Grand Prix. (c) flatlandsfoto.

Gwyneth McPherson has over 35 years experience competing, training, and teaching dressage.  She began her education in in the late 1970s, riding in her backyard on an 11 hh pony. Her first instructor introduced her to Lendon Gray (1980 and 1988 Olympian). who mentored Gwyneth for a decade during which she achieved her first National Championship in 1984, and her Team and Individual Young Rider Gold Medals in1987.

In 1990 Gwyneth began training with Carol Lavell (1992 Olympian) who further developed Gwyneth as an FEI rider and competitor. Gwyneth achieved a Team Bronze in 1991 and a Team Silver in 1992 in the North American Young Riders Championships, and trained her stallion G’Dur to do all the Grand Prix movements while riding with Carol.

In 2008, while Head Trainer at Pineland Farms, Gwyneth began training with Michael Poulin (Olympian 1992). Michael was trained by Franz Rochowansky (Chief Rider for the Spanish Riding School 1937-1955). Michael has shared much of Rochowansky’s knowledge and wisdom with Gwyneth, completing her education as a Grand Prix rider, trainer, and competitor.

Gwyneth’s teaching and training business, Forward Thinking Dressage,is based in Williston, FL. In addition to teaching riders and training, Gwyneth also loves sharing her knowledge of the sport and art of dressage as well as discussing relevant topics pertaining to the training itself and the current competitive landscape.