Information on English Riding Spurs

Spurs are worn on the keels of riding boots. They are used to guide horses and give them commands. They are used in combination with other riding techniques, such as reins and voice commands.

  1. History

    • Spurs were traditionally made of wood or bone, but eventually evolved to metal during the Roman period. Early spurs had just one point, but these branched into the English style and Western style of horse aids as time went on.

    Function

    • Spurs are used to guide horses, along with other aids. They help the rider urge a horse to move forward and to one side or another. They are worn on both boots, pointing downward, and utilized by gently pressing them into the horse's side. English spurs are used in formal horse riding, such as dressage.

    Types

    • The English spur is composed of one point, and varies from blunt to sharp. Some have a small rowel, a rotating wheel, on the end, but most have a rounded knob, especially when used in dressage. Flatter, blunt ends tend to encourage a horse to move forward, while the sharper points are used for precise movements.