How to size spurs?

[BlueDrifter]

I tried searching, but to no avail.

1. what is the measurement they are looking for when they say “men” vs “ladies” spurs? Is it a certain shoe size?

2. what determines the spur length? Is longer more severe, or is it to reach the horse given leg/horse conformation?

3. what is guidance on vertical vs horizontal soft rowels – horizontal if your leg is short and on horses side, and vertical if you have longer legs and sort of lift them to make contact?

I think I figured out that spur slots that are angled must fit the straps and boot better than the ones that are horizontal. And round tip spurts less severe that square/blunt tips.

Do the spurs with rubber coatings move less, or is the rubber to protect the boot?

Thanks! Wanted to try them vs a whip.

[Highflyer1]

Men’s boots are generally wider so men’s spurs are generally wider. But most spurs can be bent slightly to make them wider. I bend mine to wear them over half chaps.

The length is the length of the nub on the back. The longer it is, the more consistently it is against the horse. I typically wear shorter spurs on greener or more sensitive horses as it’s possible to ride with them either on or off the horse where the really long ones are on pretty much all the time. The rubber protects your boots but it can cause rubs on clipped horses. I don’t know much about rowels although I don’tthinkthe horizontal ones are common in English riding and probably are not allowed for dressage. I would start with either a small Prince of Wales spur or a round roller ball one before you try rowels anyway. These are my go to basic spurs. https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Centaur_RollerBall_Spurs_with_Stainless_Roller_1/descpage-RSSSR.html?from=gshop&gclid=CjwKCAjwi6WSBhA-EiwA6Niok5pYs2nmP7edLt9diHlTVzlcP-m_NLmTeMHUZgb30hp9odzOzWW0hhoC_VgQAvD_BwE

[JenEM]

@Highflyer1

Men’s boots are generally wider so men’s spurs are generally wider. But most spurs can be bent slightly to make them wider. I bend mine to wear them over half chaps.

I feel like I’ve always had to bend spurs open a bit–and I’m an average width size 8, not a weird/unusual boot size.

I recently went through figuring out what spur I needed with my youngster–I tend to start with a tiny POW, then went to a rollerball (which I generally love personally), and finally ended up with a medium POW type. A lot of it is trial and error and finding out what works for that horse and you, honestly. See if you can borrow some from trainer/barnmates to help figure it out.

[joiedevie99]

Men’s spurs are wider, and the arms are slightly longer to reach around the wider boot.

I think spur size is mostly about relative conformation and sophistication of aids. You want a spur that you can use with as little leg movement as possible, but that you can also reliably keep off the horse if desired. A tiny spur might make sense if your leg hits the horse at the widest part of the barrel (even if you have to compromise your leg a bit to use it) because it would be hard to reliably keep anything larger from touching the horse when using all of your other leg aids. I showed a relatively small horse at FEI, and I needed huge swan neck spurs to get any meaningful contact without compromising my leg completely.

I always start with a rounded end spur, and move up to flat or rowel if needed.

[BlueDrifter]

Thanks, guys!

The soft rowels by Stubben sort of look like the roller ball – except for orientation - are they milder than POW?

[sascha]

In terms of length - from my long-legged trial and error over the years, the longer the leg, the longer the spur. That prevents long-legged people having to twist their legs up in a scrunched up mess just to reach the horse. I ride with the longest legal spurs and prefer a rowel or roller.

That said, I don’t get on baby horses with my long spurs. Babies get teeny tiny spurs when the time comes. I’d rather work at having to use them than get caught off guard by a spook and end up giving them even more reason to spook with a great long spur accidentally stuck in their sides!

[blue_heron]

I’ve got these, if they’re the Soft Touch Stubbens. I love them.

[BlueDrifter]

I am trying the Soft Touch Stubbens – the roller is horizontal. I think they come vertical, too. My leg is long, my horse is 15.3h, maybe I need something with a longer shank. I am going to give these a dedicated try.

Already though, I don’t like that they make noise when I walk around… they sort of jangle.

[blue_heron]

I like the horizontal roller. I like that I can kind of just turn my toe out to use or or drag my leg back for the canter transition instead of lifting my heel. It makes for a prettier picture.

I think I do remember they did “clink” when I first got them. Though now that they’ve seen enough dirt, they don’t make any noise.

[BlueDrifter]

Oh, that is good to know – do you think they need more dirt or oil to stop clinking?

[sascha]

@BlueDrifter

Oh, that is good to know – do you think they need more dirt or oil to stop clinking?

Keep rollers and rowels clean always, but especially spring and fall when horses are changing coats. If they get clogged, they won’t roll properly and will end up pulling hairs out, or worse. They must be loose and free to roll. Also important at shows. If they don’t roll, you won’t get through a tack check.

[joiedevie99]

@sascha

Keep rollers and rowels clean always, but especially spring and fall when horses are changing coats.

Ditto! After witnessing an unfortunate incident where a clogged roller drew blood and got someone eliminated from a championship class, I’m extra careful. I won’t show in them unless I have a grounds person to clean them after warm-up, and a horse that will tolerate standing for it.

[blue_heron]

I’m not sure. They are definitely still free rolling (to address the people below) but they do not make noise.

[BlueDrifter]

OMG you guys, I just checked and one didn’t roll at all! (Maybe that is why the owner didn’t like them?)

I put a dry lubricant on them. One spins freely, the other moves, but won’t do multiple revolutions with a single spin.

What are the cleaning techniques?

[sascha]

I’ve only ever used water, an old tooth brush, and for shows maybe some Stubben bit polish.

Daily, it’s just a check and a wipe with a terry cloth, a good spin, another wipe, etc.

If it’s clean and doesn’t roll, it might be best to say bye bye to them

[BlueDrifter]

Toothbrush and soap, then WD40, then a dry lubricant. So glad this was mentioned. They both seem to be spinning freely now. Thanks!

(Maybe I won’t need any leg at all next time, lol…)