Q: My 6-year-old Appaloosa gelding balks on
the trail and just plain won’t pick up any speed when I ask him to. Sometimes,
he won’t even move forward at a walk. A friend told me to use spurs to get my
gelding to move out. I’ve never used spurs before on any horse, and I don’t want
to be abusive to my gelding in any way. What do you think about using
spurs?
~Linda Smith, Reno, NevadaA: Linda, it’s wise of you to ask about
using spurs before deciding whether or not to use them. Spurs have a negative reputation with
quite a few people in the horse world. Riders get hurt when they don’t properly
introduce spurs into their riding routine. Here, I’ll first discuss spur use in
general. Then I’ll tell you how to teach your gelding to respond to spurs in a
positive manner.
Are Spurs for You?
Like crops or whips, spurs are artificial
aids. Your natural aids are your seat, legs, hands, and voice. When you ride, you use aids
(also called cues) to communicate to your gelding what you’d like for him to do,
such as go forward, stop, and turn.
Spurs can be used in either a positive or
negative manner. Not every rider — or horse — has the emotional ability to
handle spurs. Spurs just plain scare some riders and horses. If you’re not
comfortable with spurs, don’t use them.
Some riders don’t use spurs correctly.
Rather, they just start kicking the heck out of the horse, causing fear and
confusion. This abusive behavior is the main reason spurs have gotten a negative
reputation in some circles.
To teach your gelding to accept spurs
without fear, see my technique, below. But before you begin this training, you
must establish a leadership position with him. That is, he must trust and
respect you. Also,
ask for hands-on help from a reputable trainer or certified riding instructor.
Always be safe. Never put yourself or your gelding in any danger.
| Step-by-Step Technique |
First, teach your horse to move away from
spur pressure on the ground. As you do, you’ll teach him to accept spurs, rather
than fear them.
In the saddle, press the spur rowel against
your horse’s ribcage. Start with light, even pressure. If needed, apply firmer
pressure. Never kick him while wearing spurs.
Even when you wear spurs, your horse should
still move off your leg and voice aids most of the time. Use spurs only when
necessary.
|
Step 1. Introduce the spurs. First,
desensitize your gelding to spurs’ negative aspects; that is, their
sharp,
metallic sound and feel. Let him see, smell, and hear
them.
Jingle them around
his body. Gently rub one
spur against
his entire
ribcage on both sides of his
body. Lead him while
you wear spurs.
Step 2. Perform groundwork. Now, sensitize
your
gelding to spurs’ positive aspects; that is, your ability
to use them
lightly. Outfit him in a halter and lead
rope.
Hold the lead rope in
your left
hand, a spur in
your right
hand, and stand on his left side,
next to his
ribcage. Give a
high-pitched cluck, and simultaneously
press the spur’s rowel
against his ribcage. Apply
light, steady, even
pressure; never
bang him. The
instant he moves away from the pressure,
release
the
spur pressure. If he’s
responsive, he’ll learn right away
to move off of very light pressure. If he
fails to
move off
light
pressure, apply firmer, steady pressure,
then
release it the
instant he responds. Repeat this
exercise on
his right side.
Step 3. Use other aids first. When your
gelding accepts spurs on the ground, attach the spurs to your boots, and mount
up. To go forward, first use your natural aids, such as your verbal commands and
your calves. Use spurs only when necessary (at most, two percent of the
time).
Step 4. Apply light spur pressure. If you
need to use spurs to reinforce your leg cues, give a high-pitched cluck, and
simultaneously apply light, steady, even spur pressure against his ribcage on
both sides. (Never kick him with spurs.) If your gelding fails to respond, apply
firmer, steady pressure until he moves off of it. As soon as he
responds, stop clucking, and release all spur pressure. Pat him on his shoulder,
and tell him he did well.
Stumble It!
