How to stop spurs from moving around

[wannabedvm]

I have to ride in swan-neck spurs due to mismatch between horse and rider conformation. More than any other spur I’ve worn, they move up and down. They’re so unstable, which makes sense due to the long, angled shank. If they rest on top of the spur rest, they end up too high. If below the spur rest, they sag. (Yes, the straps are tight enough, and the spurs fit my boots well enough.)

Has anyone ever used a western spur tie-down on English spurs? I thought about spur guards, but I don’t think the rubber will do enough. I’m also intrigued by leather spur covers, but I doubt they will stop much movement.

[Janet]

Can you get spurs with a shorter “neck”, so you can use the spur rests as intended?

[conniemary]

Rubber spur guards worked for me. My spurs were short but too wide for my boots.

[wannabedvm]

Nope, not an option. I need the long neck otherwise I have to crank my legs up to use my heel/spur. (And I do use the spur rest; it’s just that the spur then rides up behind my ankle. I really need two spur rests that I can sandwich the spur between.)

[js]

Maybe try the rubber spur protectors? They are supposed to help with slipping. Haven’t tried them but I used to ride with swan neck spurs, know what you are talking about

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[anon29046226]

OP do they have “child” spurs for the ones you need? Sometimes I need to buy kids sizes as the adult ones are too large for my ankle/heel. The spur protectors like @js linked look like they will solve your issue immediately for this particular pair.

I always need to try spurs on like shoes as sometimes they don’t fit like they should.

[wannabedvm]

I don’t think they make large child’s swan-necks. They seem to fit my boot fine as long as I’m not using them. I can walk around and ride (without using the spur) without them moving, but since the shank is so angled and long, any upward or downward pressure against it from the horse’s side makes it move. Maybe the rubber parts will still help; I will give them a try.

[Feathered_Feet]

@wannabedvm

(And I do use the spur rest; it’s just that the spur then rides up behind my ankle. I really need two spur rests that I can sandwich the spur between.)

I often wonder why they don’t put these on boots!

A few things you can try:

1. Put the spurs under the spur rests, if the primary issue is that they right “up”.

2. I’ve seen folks have a second spur strap that goes around the heel of the boot - kind over the top of the spur and loops under the heel, specifically to prevent the spur from riding up. I can’t imagine wanting to show in this configuration, but if you’re just schooling it should be fine.

3. Also, I will often overbend my spurs in a pinching fashion to make them a little tighter around my boot/ankle. I would definitely recommend that if you haven’t already. “Pinch” closer to the heel portion as much as possible to make the fit at the heel (the part that rides up) tighter.

[outerbanks77]

How about getting a set of the leather spur guards, and then seeing if you can get a thin layer of rubber applied to the inside if they still are not holding (ask at a shoe repair place)? The leather guards are wider than the rubber ones, so I would think that would help with reducing the up/down effect by creating more contact area with the boot heel. There are people making custom spur guards, you might be able to ask about getting some made that are rubber on the inside layer, or at least some kind of suede or nubuck that would have more grip.

[Mondo]

@Feathered_Feet

I’ve seen folks have a second spur strap that goes around the heel of the boot - kind over the top of the spur and loops under the heel, specifically to prevent the spur from riding up. I can’t imagine wanting to show in this configuration, but if you’re just schooling it should be fine.

Yes, I used to do this. It works. I don’t think it’s legal to show in, but you’d have to check if more than one spur strap is specifically prohibited. Not sure they mention it.

Another thought I had is, do you have to use your spurs? Maybe wear regular spurs (that don’t allow you to reach) and use a whip to get horsie quicker off your leg so you don’t need spurs? I don’t know, just spitballing ideas here. Also, I’m tall and have very long legs, so yours is not an issue I’ve had to deal with.

[Cowgirl]

I don’t know if this will work, but what about trying a bead of silicone caulk around the inside of your spur?

[SweetMutt]

I had the riding-up problem for a while on one spur. I found that I had to adjust the strap on that side a little bit, to basically shorten the amount of strap under my boot such that the spur was more snugly against the rest. Something about my foot (or riding ) made it primarily happen on one side and not the other.

Also, the Ego7 boots have a slotted sort of spur rest so that the spur is held in place from both top and bottom. I want to say I’ve seen this on other boots too, but I can’t recall off the top of my head which ones.

[lintesia]

I’m short with tiny feet and narrow ankles. It’s a challenge to have spurs stay in one spot so I can give a consistent aid when I need to use the spurs. I have La Mundial boots with a custom spur rest that has two nubs so that my spur can sit securely between them. My schooling boots are the Ariat Volants and these have the double spurs rests on both sides of the boots.

[wannabedvm]

I wonder if a cobbler could add another pair of spur rests to my boots….