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

[TXnGA]

@erinmeri

I’ve had my somewhat hot jumper for over three years. The first year I didn’t wear spurs or carry a whip, then I used both, but dropped the spurs for jumping. As I have figured her out more, it’s become clear she needs a spur and a whip, even over fences when she “ramps up” and I have been keeping the spur on for almost a year every ride, all ride. I have never had an issue with spur rubs, but in the last two weeks, she has developed rubs on both sides, worse on the side she leans on. They aren’t terrible, just hair rubbed off. No broken skin or swelling, but I feel awful.

I will say, she is pretty floofy this year in her coat, to the point where I clipped her for the first time this summer and am considering clipping her again now. And she has been quite quiet, even lazy, recently. I have a steady and educated leg, but I probably am nagging her a bit.

Aside from asserting myself more and getting her to respect the aids, I am interested in a spur that will minimize rubbing.

Which work best for that and aren’t too harsh for a hot horse? I’ve seen Waterford, Soft Touch and Rollerballs mentioned. Any favorites?

Thanks in advance!

ETA: I almost never use the whip, and maybe that is part of my problem. I mainly keep it in the hand she bulges out towards to keep her straight. I don’t actually hit her with it… although I have started to since the rubs.

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

[mbhorse]

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.

[erinmeri]

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!

[Horselove5]

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?

[bluepece2]

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.

[foursocks]

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.

[erinmeri]

@Horselove5

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?

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.

[Horselove5]

@erinmeri

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.

I totally didn’t know that, thanks! I guess I’ll be researching and getting new spurs then. He’s bay btw

[JumpWithPanache]

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

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

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.