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Western Spurs are worn on a horseman's boots and used to help direct a horse's movements. Western spurs usually have a fairly long neck because the western saddle has relatively wide fenders (the leather that protects the rider's legs from the sweat of the horse), and they must reach back behind that leather. Some also have a small upturned appendage that keeps chaps from riding down over the heel of the boot and effectively rendering the spurs useless.
WESTERN SPURS ANATOMY
But the easy part ends there. Different spurs are used for different purposes. Which spurs are best for what purpose, why, and when?
Many spurs are worn for decoration and ceremony only. Others are actually working spurs. We'll deal with the working variety here.
Western working spurs are worn with the tip of the neck pointed down and the spur strap worn on the outside of the foot.
Nearly every equestrian rider uses leg, seat, hands and voice cues to control and direct their horse's movement in one way or another. The spur is not used to speed a horse up. Rather they are used to refine the riding aids - that is to be more precise with less rider movement. To cue a horse forward with leg cues takes some leg movement. Using spurs at the end of the leg reduces the movement, as the spur speaks louder than the heel. Use of a spur should be very subtle and nearly invisible to an observer. If used in that manner, it will never be cruel.
A novice rider who does not have proper seat and leg aids is not a good candidate for spurs. A swinging, grippping or unstable leg can inadvertently jab a horse. Horses that are irritated or frightened by spur use can exhibit very undesirable behaviors such as running or bucking. Additinally, too liberal use or chronic misuse can deaden a horse to leg aids altogether.
SPUR ROWELS
The rowel of a western spur is the rotating disc at the back side of the spur. The rowels of different working spurs are all different. The rule of thumb is that the more rowel teeth and the rounder they are, the milder the spur effect. Some common English spurs have either a ball at the end (Waterford Spur) or a small disk with no teeth whatsoever.
Looking at the rowels alone, the spur pictured above at the top would be considered a fairly severe spur, and it is more for show than work. The roper spur at the right is a fairly mild spur - very popular in western roping competition. There are many rules in equestrian competitions relating to the type and number of teeth a spur can legitimately have before it is considered cruel.
Most spurs with rotating rowels work by turning the boot up and inward to press the spur into the animal's side. They also offer the possibility of just roling against the side of the horse.
SPUR MEASUREMENTS
Spurs are sized according to the size boot they are made to fit. Men's spurs have a wider heel band to fit wider boots than women's or children's spurs. Spurs are also designated by the length of the neck. Some have very short necks. Othes have a neck up to 3" long.
TYPES OF SPURS
Most western spurs are heavier than English spurs. They usually have decoration, etching, or silver accents and designs. All classical western spurs have rowels and longer necks than English spurs. Some have "swan neck" where the neck is elevated and in a position that appears like a swan's neck. Gal Leg spurs have a neck and rowel attachment that looks like a woman's leg.
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