Huh? No, that’s a weird theory. This time of year, a lot of horses get spur rubs. They blow their coats and clipped or not clipped… rubs. happen.
The bands are great because it actually makes you really dig in and use your leg and it gives your horse a bit of a break from the raw patch. Pretty silly and irresponsible to not support it.
FWIW, the “lack of an educated leg” theory… I’ve seen plenty of big pros put a spur mark in a lazy horse that just needs constant leg. So I’d like to have her tell that thought to a World Cup rider… good luck.
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I am probably misquoting her. Basically, she said she doesn’t think I should need to use bands, and that I should instead stop nagging her with the spur. I don’t think she’d recommend against them for a chronic problem. Horse is forward, but tends to lean on the forehand, so I have been really working on getting her to come from behind lately, which she can be lazy about. That and the coat are the only two new variables that I can think of leading to this recent, new issue.
In your trainers defense, my old boss would’ve said the same exact thing. She’s VERY old school and rode on the US team on more than one occasion 
I do agree with the above user, now that I’m an amateur. If you need a band, you need a band.
FWIW I love the herm sprenger version of the roller spurs for my hot jumper.
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She IS old school!
The FES ones are back ordered and the Dover ones are in men’s only, which might work because I wear a size 10.
Are theee the Sprengers you have? They look really nice! Thanks!
Out of curiosity, what’s the difference between vertical and horizontal rollers?
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This is an interesting and timely thread that I’m going to follow. I have a very thin-skinned horse who is also very naturally lazy. At first it was a fitness issue, so we built that up. Then we built the responsiveness. It’s way better than it was; he is an enjoyable fellow to hack now. However, this won’t ever be a horse you want to ride without spurs and a whip.
Back in the day, I was told if your horse was getting rubs, you needed a sharper spur. But even with a pro on with an educated leg, he will get a mark–or worse, a cut–with sharp spurs.
We’ve used the belly band when we’ve had to–he gets rubs from leg and heel, not just spur–but lordy it makes everything so much more difficult.
Would love to know more about the difference between the vertical and horizontal rollers too. Have folks found the rollers work on the lazier ones?
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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 effect, but on a clipped thin skinned horse maybe it helps. I used the rubber roller spurs more for the ‘softer’ rubber tip vs the rolling action on my hothead. I just needed the lateral Get Off My Leg Now effect of a spur, our go button was firmly installed 
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Thanks! That makes sense!
ETA: mine needs the “get off my leg NOW” effect more as well. Can definitely relate!
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Anything works if you apply it hard enough. I like the rollers because I have the option of a soft touch, a light roll, or the turn your toe out “GET OFF ME” feeling. I’m short and ride a big horse, so I ride in the shorter necked ones. If you’re taller or have a horse whose barrel is not right at your heel, the longer ones might be better.
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BlockquoteAnything works if you apply it hard enough. I like the rollers because I have the option of a soft touch, a light roll, or the turn your toe out “GET OFF ME” feeling. I’m short and ride a big horse, so I ride in the shorter necked ones. If you’re taller or have a horse whose barrel is not right at your heel, the longer ones might be better.
This is REALLY helpful, thank you; his barrel isn’t right at my heel so maybe I should search instead for longer, rounder spurs. With the shorter ones I use, I have to think in AND up to really get him off the leg. The dressage whip has been the lateral cue at home for when I need him to move the booty over.
Ahhh… well then it may be something she’s identifying as a unique case. Be aware that bands do add an additional layer of dullness… so if you think you’re kicking before… you’ll be kicking even more.
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I am hoping we can get through this with Vaseline and roller ball spurs, but I will keep that in mind! I also noticed that my spurs are pretty dirty, so will give them a good cleaning in case that’s contributing.
I have found that the rubber balls make more marks than the metal Toulouse ones. I also tend to get a better response from metal ones than rubber ones: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/m-toulouse-soft-touch-spur-9089?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=NB_Shopping_Apparel-Gear_PMAX&utm_campaign=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyracBhDoARIsACGFcS7rdoFaKemwRRPMD3tH9CqZvEEHmyND181vUjoUJMwe6ayiULtmybgaAiycEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
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Big ones. No, really. I focused so much on the eq when I was younger that I could put a rub on any horse with any spur at one point. Not something I was proud of. So, I had to learn to move my leg around more, bump with spurs, do anything other than stay very still and dig in all the time. I also like leg ride horses for myself, including one very sensitive redhead, and so I tend to use a big spur and try to get in and get out with it. Maybe also a dressage whip. Or two. The belly bands can help when you are in shedding and in-between coat season where a sensitive one might even lose hair from your boot alone. And finally, make sure your spurs are CLEAN and not covered with old sweat, dirt, and hair, which will make them pull more on the hair and skin.
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I have been considering a dressage whip! Considering I barely use my jumping bat because it used to set her off, I have been reluctant! My spurs are also disgusting. I was scraping grey crud off of them yesterday, so that isn’t helping.
My mare is a hot jumper, but one that requires a surprising amount of leg/spur to 1) get off my damned right leg, 2) not tranter on the flat, and 3) to stay organized (i.e, leg to hand). My trainer’s favorite saying for her is “leg to go slow, leg to organize”.
Her daddy was also a thoroughbred, and she is fairly thin skinned… bleeds when bugs bite or we give injections and hates grooming. It’s just surprising to me she hasn’t had rubs before until now.
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I have had good results with a dressage whip and these roller ball spurs. I prefer the Stubben dynamic soft touch ones:
With a band and these same spurs, I’d definitely be working a little harder or would have to add a couple actual touches with the dressage whip. Usually I just carry it.
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I purchased these for similar reason. My grey horse never got spur rubs and suddenly in one day he did! I felt so badly. These work well
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/stubben-dynamic-soft-touch-spurs-15151
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I’ve never put a rub on my horse or my client’s, no matter if they’re clipped or not, hot or dull. I was trained that spurs are for lateral cues and the whip (or stick) is for go. If the horse isn’t in front of my leg (calf or ankle cue), he gets a smack. Repeat until the lighter calf/ankle cue gets the same response. If the horse over reacts, let them move out and then bring bank gently and refine your aid. Repeat. If you have the discipline to be consistent (and fair) in your aids, your horse will not need to be nagged and you’ll both be happier. And the horse won’t have rubs. My trainer would never let me use belly bands, ear puffies, or anything else she thinks is a mask that better riding won’t solve. Right or wrong…this is how she/we roll 
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Rollerball spur works great. If you are clipping you can either use a belly band to put under the saddle pad and around the area where your leg would hang. Or you can not clip squares where you leg hits the side of your horse. This will
Help prevent spur/ leg marks on the horse with the longer hair
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Love the Toulouse soft touch rollers and have not had any rubs with them. I do think they are a bit more “dainty” then the Sprengers, but work for me as I’m a size 6.
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