How to Use Western Riding Spurs

After you are able to hold your legs still while riding, you can introduce spurs. Using spurs before you have control of your legs can result in you constantly spurring your horse when you don't mean to. Soon your horse will become "dead to the aids," where he no longer listens to you.

Things You'll Need

  • Western-type spurs and spur straps
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Instructions

  1. Choosing Spurs

    • 1

      Pick out a shank length that enables you to lift your heel up only slightly to use the spur. Short-legged riders on round horses should use short shanks; long-legged riders on skinny horses need long shanks.

    • 2

      Find a rowel that matches your horse's temperament. Dull horses may need a spur with more points; hot or nervous horses will be best ridden with fewer, blunter rowels, or even a ball end.

    • 3

      Choose spur straps that match your discipline or your chaps. In horsemanship and pleasure, blending straps with chaps gives you a good presentation, while in rodeo and cutting you may want to go for flashier spur straps.

    Using Western Spurs

    • 4

      Press the little round knobs on the sides of the spurs through the slots on the spur straps. This will probably be difficult, so roll and twist your spur straps to help break the leather in.

    • 5

      Slip the spur onto the heel of your boot right above the sole with the shank (the piece sticking off of the back) sloping upwards. The buckles on the spur straps should face away from you; if they face one another on the inside of your foot, they'll rub your horse.

    • 6

      Lift up your heels and roll the rowels of your spurs against your horse's sides. If you're using ball spurs, press the ball against his sides instead. Only use as much pressure as your horse needs and immediately lower your heel when he responds to reward him.