A question about spurs

[atr]

I’m in the market for new spurs. I’ve ridden for years in the simple Balkenol ones, but I now need the rolling kind vs the static kind.

I’m seeing spurs with horizontal or vertical rollers. What’s the difference? As in, is one better for a different kind of conformation or leg usage? I’m leaning towards the Stubben Dynamic range. I’ve also looked at the NS ones, but though I’m not inclined to cheap out on stuff like this, I’d have to be convinced of magical properties to spend $160 on a pair of spurs.

(I have the plastic rolling ball ones I bought years ago. I tried them this week and remember why I loathe them. I find them chattery and ineffective and encourage overuse and a busy leg. I want to put my leg on once and get an obedient and refined response to an aid.

But horsie is a heavy sweater with very sensitive skin and in the summer cannot do a pokey spur of any length without rubbing. Everything rubs this horse. He’s also a blessed but wiley old schoolmaster who knows the difference between a leg with a spur and just a boot.)

[atlatl]

Allegedly, the horizontal roller results in a softer touch to the horse.

I’ve only used vertical roller spurs and mostly when I rode Western. I continue to be surprised by how many dressage riders kick with these spurs instead of rolling them up the horse’s side.

Have you considered using a whip to re-train the wiley old schoolmaster to respect your leg? Put your leg on, if he doesn’t go use the whip to whatever degree is appropriate for the two of you. Rinse and repeat until he goes off your leg. It may take a while.

[atr]

Trust me. I’m not kicking him with spurs to get him to go forward. I’m a bit more educated than that.

I’m just trying to work out the difference between the horizontal and vertical rollers (no teeth.)

[Libby2563]

My GP horse also got rubs from the leg, edge of the saddle pad, reins, etc. I bought soft touch spurs for him and have just ended up using them on every horse since. They’re effective when you need them but also very inoffensive to sensitive horses. I think they function similarly to no roller at all, but are less likely to rub? At shows my GP horse tended to get very behind the leg so I would switch to a vertical rowel, which definitely had more oomph.

I also can’t imagine spurs worth spending $160 on! This is similar to what I have and only $19: Horse Spurs Stainless Steel Smooth Roller Ball English Spur Light Weight Polish https://a.co/d/3UGWDco

[atlatl]

Not my intention to blame you of that, I’ve just seen it a lot unfortunately.

[Pezanos]

I love my Stubben Dynamic spurs with the up/down roller and they have become my favorite all-purpose spur. I also have the Balkenhol ones and some Sprenger Prince of Wales ones. My trainer has the sideways roller but she says she should have bought the up/down ones instead since the sideways ones are pretty much just regular spurs with a blunted end. Mine will actually roll and thin, skinned & sensitive horses seem to like them. I do like that they are quality spurs. I HATE the plastic rollers. They feel so cheap and break, so can be dangerous, and the plastic must pull at the hair because I have still seen rubs from them.

[erinmeri]

Not a dressage rider, but when I inquired here about roller spurs and the conversation turned to roller direction, I was told it has to do with how you use your leg, with a vertical roller being more common for dressage where you “lift” to spur. Here’s the post:

Spur rub prevention: Waterford, Soft Touch or Rollerball spurs?

The direction of the roller will be most effective if you use your spur in the same direction - ie if you ‘lift’ the horse with more of an upward motion of the heel (common in dressage or if your leg hangs below the horse’s belly a bit) a vertical roller makes sense. The horizontal roller works best if you use your spur more by turning the heel in/the toe out. All of this is a very crude explanation and the usage is more subtle. IME you really have to dig a spur in to activate the metal roller …

Hope that helps!

[Bonnie2]

Rollerballs are a huge difference on sensitive skinned horses. I find the heavier they are the more finely tuned the feel is. ie the expensive stainless ones are better. Horizontal or vertical would be personal preference. See if you can find some to borrow before you make the investment.

[outerbanks77]

@atr

I’ve also looked at the NS ones, but though I’m not inclined to cheap out on stuff like this, I’d have to be convinced of magical properties to spend $160 on a pair of spurs.

If you decide to go with a vertical rowel,.the Sprenger Balkenhol spurs are really nice. I invested in the non rowel version and have not regretted spending the extra money.

[SillyHorse]

I use this spur. I rarely need to use my spur, but when I do use this, he responds without getting worried or overreacting.

https://www.bigdweb.com/stubben-steeltec-dynamic-spur

[Pezanos]

That’s the one I have but at a MUCH better price!!! I love them.

They really are a fabulous all-around spur that is very coat- friendly.

[atr]

Oh good! I ordered these ones! and the ones Libby linked to as well… We’ll see which ones he responds best to.

Thank you all for the explanations and suggestions. Most helpful!

[IPEsq]

@Pezanos

I love my Stubben Dynamic spurs with the up/down roller and they have become my favorite all-purpose spur. I also have the Balkenhol ones and some Sprenger Prince of Wales ones. My trainer has the sideways roller but she says she should have bought the up/down ones instead since the sideways ones are pretty much just regular spurs with a blunted end. Mine will actually roll and thin, skinned & sensitive horses seem to like them. I do like that they are quality spurs. I HATE the plastic rollers. They feel so cheap and break, so can be dangerous, and the plastic must pull at the hair because I have still seen rubs from them.

I have the horizontal ones and agree with this. You can also still cause a rub with them on the super sensitive ones unless you are sure to keep them very clean (hard for one of mine who likes to have a permanent pee spot right where my leg goes). The roller can still catch the hair in those circumstances. I think I prefer vertical roller. But I wind up using pretty long regular spurs (also kept clean) because shorter spurs encourage me to nag.

[eponacelt]

@atr

But horsie is a heavy sweater with very sensitive skin and in the summer cannot do a pokey spur of any length without rubbing. Everything rubs this horse. He’s also a blessed but wiley old schoolmaster who knows the difference between a leg with a spur and just a boot.)

A caution about roller spurs: They leave marks on every horse I’ve ever ridden in them. The little roller balls have a space where the ball meets the spur and I think that’s what makes the mark - it gives a place for the hair to be grabbed and pulled out. The best alternative I found was to use flat disc rowel spurs on the one horse that needed them.

One other note - On my super sensitive, hair falls off her if you look at her sideways horse, I found that using a LONGER blunt spur has helped. Apparently, I had to work too hard with the little nubs I had been using, but now with the longer spur, my leg needs a much smaller push to get the same reaction. Just a thought! YMMV

[atr]

I had also thought about that, Eponacelt. This horse is an entirely different barrel shape to my previous horses so my leg lies differently on him, as well, which has to affect effectiveness. I’m going to try dropping my stirrups another hole to see of that helps, too.