How to Wear & Position Western Spurs

Western spurs are a common and well-known symbol of the Wild West often conjuring images of cowboys, Indians and gunfights. While often seen as a simple accessory, spurs do, in fact, serve an important purpose when riding a horse. They are an invaluable tool to guiding and accelerating a horse. Learn to properly position your western spurs on your riding boots and effectively ride with ease.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse riding boots
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an appropriately sized western spur. Spurs are typically available in three different sizes: men's, women's and children's. The variations in the width of the spurs makes finding the right size spur imperative.

    • 2

      Position the spurs on the heels of your riding boots so that the U-shaped part of the spurs, the yoke, wraps around the contour of your boot's heel. The pointed wheel of the spurs, the rowel, should be pointing out behind your heel and bent slightly down towards the ground.

    • 3

      Position the leather straps of the spurs so that the leather runs under the arch of your boot and wraps over the top. Tighten the leather straps so that the spurs are fixed firmly in place. You should be able to walk on solid ground without the rowels of the spurs dragging across the ground.