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{{redirect|Rowel|the Sri Lankan general|Renuka Rowel|the author of "Letters from Hell"|M. Rowel}}
[[Image:Spurs cowboy crockett.jpg|thumbnail|right|225px|Western-style cowboy spurs with rowels, chap guards and buttons for the spur straps]]
A '''spur''' is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of [[riding boot]]s for the purpose of directing a [[horse]] or [[ox]] to move forward or laterally while riding. It is usually used to refine the [[riding aids]] (commands) and to back up the natural aids (the leg, seat, hands, and voice). The spur is used in many equestrian disciplines.
==Etymology==
This very old word derives from Anglo-Saxon ''spura, spora'', related to ''spornan, spurnan'', to kick, ''spurn''; cf. Medieval High German ''Sporn'', modern German ''Sporn'', Dutch ''spoor'', Frisian ''spoar''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=spur|title=spur - Search Online Etymology Dictionary|author=|date=|website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref> The generalized sense of "anything that urges on, stimulus" is recorded in English from'' circa'' 1390.
==Design==
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[[Image:spur.png|thumb|Spur straps on an English "Prince of Wales" spur]]
Spurs are usually held on by a leather or leather-like
When used in military ranks, senior officers, and officers of all ranks in [[cavalry]] and other formerly mounted units of some armies, wear a form of spur in certain orders of dress which is known as the box spur, having no spur strap, but a long metal prong opposite the neck, extending between the arms of the heel band, which is inserted into a specially fitted recess or "box" in the base of the boot heel. Due to the prong, such spurs can only be worn with appropriately equipped boots. This construction is shown in the photos of the
Spurs seen in [[western riding]] may also have small curved-up hooks on the shank in front of the rowel, called "chap guards
In the history of [[veterinary science]], the word "rowel" described a small disk of [[leather]] or other material that was used as a [[seton stitch]].
==History==
[[File:Rowel Spur MET DT760.jpg|thumb|"Rowel
[[File:Spur rowel detail.jpg|thumb|Western spur rowel with jingo bobs]]
The spur was used by the [[Celtic people|Celts]] during the [[La Tène]] period (which began in the
The spurs of medieval [[knight]]s were [[Gilding|gilt]] and those of [[squire]]s were silvered.{{fact|date=January 2015}} To "win his spurs" meant to gain knighthood, as gilded spurs were reckoned the badge of knighthood.{{fact|date=January 2015}} In the rare cases of [[Cashiering|ceremonious degradation]], the spurs were hacked from the disgraced knight's heels with the cook's chopper.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}} After the [[battle of the Golden Spurs]] in 1302, where the French chivalry suffered a humbling defeat, the victors hung up bushels of knights' gilt spurs in the churches of [[Kortrijk]] as trophies of what is still remembered by the Flemings as the ''Guldensporenslag'' (the battle of the golden spurs). The English named the French [[rout]] from [[Thérouanne]] as the [[Battle of the Spurs]], due to the rapidity of the French cavalry's flight.
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Prick spurs were the standard form until the 14th century, when the rowel began to become more common. The prick design never died out entirely, but instead became a thicker, shorter neck with a dulled end, such as the modern "Prince of Wales" design commonly seen in [[English riding]].
[[File:Victorias stövel med sporre - Livrustkammaren - 6630.tif|thumb|250px|Boot with spur, 19th century]]
Though often decorated throughout history, in the 15th century, spurs became an art form in both decoration and design, with elaborate engraving, very long shanks, and large rowels. Though sometimes it has been claimed that the design changes were used because of [[barding]], the use of barding had fallen out of fashion by the time the most elaborate spur designs were created. More likely, the elaborate designs reflected the increased abundance of precious metals, particularly [[silver]], that followed the European exploration of the [[Americas]] that began in 1492. Spur designs in Spain and colonial [[Mexico]] were particularly elaborate. For example, the spurs of the Spanish ''[[
In northern Europe, the spur became less elaborate after the 16th century, particularly following the [[Stuart Restoration]], but elaborate spur designs persisted, particularly in the Americas, descendants of which are still seen today, particularly in
Collecting of particularly beautiful [[antique]] spurs is a popular pastime for some individuals, particularly aficionados of western history and cowboy culture.
===Spurs as modern honours===
Just as a [[medieval]] [[knight]] was said to have "earned his spurs
==Basic designs and wear==
Spurs are worn with the tip of the neck pointed downward, sitting on the spur rest of the [[riding boot]], if there is one, with the buckle of the spur strap worn on the outside of the foot.
Spur styles differ between disciplines. Spurs for
[[Image:Spur2.jpg|thumb|right|240px|English riding spur]]
Spurs in [[English riding]] tend to be very sleek, slim, and conservative in design, with a shorter neck, as the saddle and leg position is closer to the horse. They usually have a rounded or blunt end. Rowels are not as popular as the plain blunt end, although
[[Image:Motorcycle spurs.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Motorcycle
Another type of modern spur is those used on [[motorcycle]]s. They are characterized by rowels worn as foot jewelry, hung off of boots. They can be similar in appearance to spurs worn by animal mounters. Their bright material attracts motor vehicle drivers to the presence of motorcyclists, especially to their feet where riders are most vulnerable when stopped in traffic. Their owners may further customize them by adding miniature strobing [[LED]] lights. <!-- They help traffic light sensors detect their presence in intersections where inductive loops are used.{{Cn|date=November 2014}} --> They are also awarded by motorcycle clubs.
==Riding technique==
The spur is a refined tool, designed to allow the rider to transmit very subtle signals to the animal that are nearly invisible to any other observer. No matter the discipline, it is important that a rider has a correct position before using spurs, with a deep seat, legs lengthened to the extent allowed by the [[stirrup]]s, heels down, with knees and thighs rolled in so that the rider has a solid base of support. A swinging or unstable leg may inadvertently jab the animal with the spur as the rider sits, thus irritating, harming, and frightening the animal, and chronic misuse may deaden it to the leg aids. Improper use may also provoke dangerous or undesirable behaviors such as [[bucking]] or running away.
Spurs are rarely used in sports such as [[racing]], where the rider's leg is not significantly in contact with the animal.
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===Rodeo spurring===
[[File:Barrel racing spur pair.jpg|thumb|A pair of barrel
The exception to the use of spurs in a subtle fashion is in the [[rodeo]] events of [[bull riding]]
==Types==
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