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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Thanks all! I shortened my stirrups and have been dropping spurs on the flat, using Vaseline during and Desitin after rides (seriously Desitin is a miracle!)… and the marks are improving. I want to buy roller spurs but it seems they are all on back order. One side is healed and the other is just missing hair. Happy to focus on my eq in the meantime!
My horse’s coat gets darker where the spurs touch him, it’s not a skin rub but a visible darker circle on his unclipped coat. Has anyone have this cosmetic issue?
Do you know WHICH part of the spur is causing the rubs? I have a mare that can’t have any spur on her results in a rub. It’s the arm of the spur that causes the rub. I can use roller balls or any other spurs will do it. My daughter’s boots rub her in the winter. Doesn’t matter if she’s clipped or not. Now we have a band for her. These are tools that are great for what they are designed for, not crutches.
Same here. I used showsheen today on the sides of both of mine and I think that is going to make the difference. The hair is brittle in the winter and the arms of the spurs are what is rubbing, not the spurs themselves. It happens with my boots and no spurs, too- I ride my young horse without spurs and he is getting the hair rubbed off now, too.
What color is your horse? Mine has black skin, so scrapes and hair issues show up black. Also, some metals leave a black oxidized spot on hair, like cheap halter buckles.
Another fan of the Stubben Dynamic Dressage Soft Touch Spur. I use it for my hunter, who also dabbles in dressage, and find that I can have the finesse of rolling the ball for a light use or turning my toe out and getting a good, quick “knock it off” jab. I’ve found that mine and other horses I’ve ridden tend to be less reactive to the spur aid with this vice blunt spurs that are longer than a tom thumb. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/stubben-dynamic-dressage-soft-touch-spur-12166
I love mine. They actually fit better than my other spurs. I have smaller feet and ankles. So most of the wider spurs I need to squeeze so they don’t slide down on my boots.
