Is it cruel to use spurs on a horse, if the horse is stubborn?

Question

My horse riding instructor always uses them and he says they work great. He said i should purchase a pair to disipline my horse. But I was wondering if the horse suffers cause his horse has little marks on her side from using them. I have a whip if my horse gets out of line but dont really want to use spurs.

Answer 1

Its not cruel if used properly. I use spurs all the time.

Answer 2

No, using spurs is not cruel at all. I thought the same way as you. Spurs are a training aid for you as well as the horse, wearing spurs helps keep your leg in the right position. Spurs also will remind the horse if he needs to do something if you are not aggressive enough to do it. Spurs also will not leave any mark on the side of your horse. Don't worry, you will see that spurs are only to help you. You can also purchase very little spurs or spurs with a ball on the end so that they are comfortable for your horse, but no matter what kind you get, except for western roller spurs, they will not be cruel, and they will be very helpful!

Answer 3

It is not cruel to use spurs on a horse if used properly. I wear spurs when riding western (blunt rowels) and English (have a blunt tip). There are certain disciplines that won't allow the rider to carry a crop. Then the spurs are used to allow the rider to give the horse subtle cues. I do not use them as a form of punishment.
I do not agree with the use of "rock grinders" on a horse, as they can cause undue injury. If you feel that they are necessary, then it's time for a new horse. There is a fine line between training a horse, and beating them into submission.

My point is that anything can be detrimental to the health of a horse if in the hands of an inexperienced owner, rider or trainer; not just spurs.

Answer 4

Spurs should not be used as discipline, but that's what 95% of people use them for. They should be used for giving cues. For example I saw a clinic where Clinton Anderson used spurs to teach a horse to push its ribs out when riding in a small circle. He didn't kick the horse, he rolled the rowel along its side. So you can roll the spur along the horse's side as a cue for one thing, and press your heel into the horse's side as a different cue.

But yeah, if you want to use it for punishment....don't. There are many better ways to learn how to get a horse's attention. It's not that the horse can't feel your feet, he's just ignoring you, which means that he doesn't respect you. Gain his respect on the ground and you will see a difference in how he acts under saddle.

Answer 5

i believe they are. i never even like using a whip on my horse except a dressage whip to tickle him a bit with the tassle at the end. when i first got my horse he was having problems tracking up(in dressage) and he wasn't using his haunches, so i purchased the smallest pair of spurs which are really nubby(they're about 1/4") and used them only for about a month. the most i would do is just turn my heel in a bit so he could feel the spur, but never do more than light pressure with it. after that i never used the spurs again. i'm extremely against animal abuse. if his horse has marks it's because he's slamming his leg against her which is pretty abusive. i agree with the others though, if you aren't comfortable, dont use them. tell your instructor no. you could also use the dressage whip option and tickle his flank with the tassle. this gets their attention and doesn't hurt at all.

ps-emily and jezebel bring up good points that spurs are not used as a form of punishment. they're used in fine tuning your horses understanding of the aids. once your horse gets it, you don't need them anymore for cues. and i wouldn't use them unless you're an intermediate to upper level rider.

the link below has the shortest spur length that i used if you're curious to see them.

Answer 6

there are different kinds of spurs.. I used to ride English and quite like the simple english spur.. you dont use it all the time and often its gentley NOT kicking - since after all in a show the judge doesnt want to see the cues... you do it very lightly....\

A whip used harshly has more of a sting than a gentle nudge from a well used spur...

western type spurs are a little cruder.. but still if used right are not so bad

"Cowboy" rodeo types who "rake" the bucking stock to make them buck and often leave open sores on the animals.. well that is definately cruel

Answer 7

I don't think using spurs is cruel as long as they are used for the right reasons. I only use them to "help" motivate or grab the attention of not for punishment. Some horses need the attention and others just need little reminders. Thats all that they are supposed to be used for or the little kids that don't have enough leg and even then we are talking about little nubs. If the horse is stubborn try but be careful cause you may not get the reaction you want. It could make it worse especially if you get mad and start actaully kicking with them instead of squeezing with your leg instead. If your not comfortable then don't use them. If your trainer is leaving marks then he is over using them and not givng the horse a chance to respond to his leg first.

Answer 8

Spurs are absolutely not for disipline. They are for giving subtle cues and only work when you have very good leg control. I don't think nudging a horse non stop because it is lazy is a good solution. Perhaps it should be riding a different style if it's that hard to motivate. They aren't cruel when used properly though.

Answer 9

I don't think using spurs is cruel, but I guess it depends on how you use them. I think that getting your horses attention with them is OK, but I would use my whip first. I ride with price of wales spurs...I ride English... and they are mild. I would never use a spur that could leave scars on my horse. If you have never used spurs, I would start with a very short, rounded spur, so you don't accidentally spur the horse. But I would only use spurs as a training aid, not a discipline tool.

Answer 10

ok.. they thing about spurs is you have to know how to use them.. i prefure the english spurs because they have balls instead or rowls. but if you know how to use spurs your horse will not be hurt. i will never leave a mark on my horse. no matter what. well that is not true i have left a whip mark my accint but the horse kept charging me.. but you need to start with one spur and just get use to the prusser. you only need a nuge.. NOT A KICK.. than move to 2 if he dosn't listen. and spurs are not always the way. i use a crop some times..

Answer 11

It seems such as you have overused your whip and your leg, via fact she is obviously ineffective to the two while you're hitting and kicking her as frustrating you assert you're. I believe perhaps giving her some days off or possibly switching issues up somewhat? perhaps lunging might artwork properly too as somebody else reported. yet another factor to perhaps evaluate is this. Does your instructor do coaching or education rides on horses for you? My instructor does this to track up our horses somewhat in the event that they want it, and he or she has been doing it with my eco-friendly broke 6 year previous and it works wonders. She would not thoroughly prepare him for me, yet in basic terms facilitates me out somewhat. ( i'm 5 feet tall and he's 17.hh and a Canadian Warmblood, so he can get somewhat solid specifically circumstances) perhaps your coach ought to experience your horse for you a pair of times and probably smarten her up and then grant you some information to get her going for a small value? My instructor quotes 25 dollars that's a exceedingly solid fee. i might permit your instructor use spurs formerly you do and see what she thinks and then confer together with her and see if she thinks you like them. i'm hoping you hit upon out what the subject is. solid luck. xx