Spur: Difference between revisions

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. ThereMost areequestrian organizations have rules in most equestrian organizations about spur design, and use and penalties for using spurs in any manner that constitutes [[animal abuse]].

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.

Spurs are usually held on by a leather or leather-like strap, called a spur strap, that goes over the arch of the foot and under the sole in front of the boot heel. Some western designs have a leather strap that goes only over the top, with a heel chain or a rubber "tiedown" instead of a strap under the boot. ThereAlso, aresome also styles withhave no straps, where the heel band is simply very tight and slips on wedged between the sole and heel of the boot. Some spur designs have a slot for running the spur strap through, others have "buttons,", sometimes on the heel band itself and sometimes attached to the heel band by hinges, that allow a strap with buttonholes to be attached.

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 Swanswan neck and Waterford spurs below.

Spurs seen in [[western riding]] may also have small curved-up hooks on the shank in front of the rowel, called "chap guards,", that were originally used to prevent the rider's [[chaps]] from interfering with the rowels of the spur. The shank angle from the yoke can vary from "full". to "one half", to "one quarter" to "straight". Some [[cowboy]]s also added small metal ''Pajadospajados,'' also known as ''Jingojingo Bobsbobs'' or ''Jinglejingle Bobsbobs,'' near the rowel, to create a jingling sound whenever the foot moved. Rowels can vary in size and number of points.

[[File:Rowel Spur MET DT760.jpg|thumb|"Rowel Spurspur", ca.''circa'' 1400 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rowel_Spur_MET_DT760.jpg Metropolitan Museum of Art]]]

The spur was used by the [[Celtic people|Celts]] during the [[La Tène]] period (which began in the 5thfifth century BC), and is also mentioned by [[Xenophon]] (c.''circa'' 430 - 354 BC.)<ref>p. 115, ''An early history of horsemanship'', Augusto Azzaroli, Brill, 1985, {{ISBN|90-04-07233-0}}.</ref><ref>"La Tène", entry, p. 353, ''A dictionary of archaeology'', Ian Shaw and Robert Jameson, 6th illustrated ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 2002, {{ISBN|0-631-23583-3}}.</ref> Iron or bronze spurs were also used throughout the [[Roman Empire]].<ref>p. 82, ''Handbook to life in ancient Rome'', Roy A. Adkins, reprint ed., Oxford University Press US, 1998, {{ISBN|0-19-512332-8}}.</ref> The spur also existed in the [[Islamic Golden Age|medieval Arab world]].<ref>{{citation|title=Riding the Horse, Writing the Cultural Myth: The European Knight and the American Cowboy as Equestrian Heroes|author=Metin Boşnak, Cem Ceyhan|journal=Turkish Journal of International Relations|volume=2|issue=1|date=Fall 2003|pages=157–181 [175]}}</ref> Early spurs had a neck that ended in a point, called a prick, riveted to the heel band. Prick spurs had straight necks in the 11th century and bent ones in the 12th. The earliest form of the spur armed the heel with a single prick. In England, the rowel spur is shown upon the first seal of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] and on [[monument]]s of the 13th century, but it doesdid not come into general use until the 14th century. The earliest rowels probably did not revolve, but were fixed.

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 ''[[Conquistadorsconquistador]]es'' were sometimes called ''Espuelaespuela Grandegrande,'' the "Grandgrand Spur,spur", and could have rowels as large as six6 inches around.<ref>[http://www.antiquesjournal.com/Pages04/archives/spurs.html Overton, Joice. "Collecting Cowboy Spurs" ''New England Antiques Journal''.] Web page accessed October 12, 2007</ref>

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 [[Mexico]] and the western [[United States]], where the spur has become an integral part of the ''[[vaquero]]'' and [[cowboy]] traditions. The spur as an art form, as well as a tool, is still seen in [[western riding]], where spurs with engraving and other artistic elements, often handmade and utilizingusing [[silver]] or other precious metals, are still worn.

Just as a [[medieval]] [[knight]] was said to have "earned his spurs,", the awarding of spurs has continued in the modern era as an honour bestowed upon individuals in organizations with military heritages, and among motorcycle riders. Members of the [[Papal Orders of Knighthood]] receive gilt spurs directly from the hands of the [[Popepope]]; members of the British [[Order of the Garter]] similarly receive gilt spurs from the Monarchmonarch. Inductees into the American [[Order of the Spur]] receive gold-coloured (usually brass) spurs if they have earned their membership through combat, or silver-coloured (usually nickel) spurs if they have not seen combat, but complete a [[rite of passage]].

Spur styles differ between disciplines. Spurs for [[western riding]] tend to be heavier, often decorated, and have rowels that rotate. The neck of western spurs is usually longer and the rowel wide in diameter, to accommodate the leg position of the Westernwestern-style rider, where the [[stirrup]] is adjusted long, and the heavy leather used for the [[saddle]]'s fenders and stirrups places the rider's leg a bit farther from the animal.

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 there aresome types that include a rowel or smooth disk on the end. When used in sports requiring finesse, such as [[dressage]], the spur's purpose is not to speed up an animal, but to give accurate and precise [[riding aids|aids]] in lateral and complex movements, such as pirouettes, ''travers'', and ''renvers'', and the [[airs above the ground]]. Dressage riders tend to ride in "Waterford"- style spurs with a rounded knob at the end. Conversely, [[show hunter]] and [[show jumping|jumper]] riders may use a flatter end to encourage forward movement, such as the Prince of Wales design.

[[Image:Motorcycle spurs.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Motorcycle Spursspurs from Loop Spurs]]

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.

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.

[[File:Barrel racing spur pair.jpg|thumb|A pair of barrel -racing spurs with unique non-rowelnonrowel design]]

The exception to the use of spurs in a subtle fashion is in the [[rodeo]] events of [[bull riding]], and [[saddle bronc and bareback riding]], where the rider is required to spur in an elaborate, stylized fashion, touching the horse or bull at every stride. This requirement is designed to resemble the behavior of old-time horse-breakers, who would deliberately provoke a horse to buck. In modern times, riders are required to use spurs in a manner that is merely encouraging an animal that is already predisposed to buck; they are not to produce pain. Spur design and use is strictly defined by rodeo rules, spurs are dull, and rowels must turn freely. In fact, the way spurs are to be used in bucking events generally makes it harder for the rider to stay on:; in bareback bronc competition, the spurs must be above the point of the horse's shoulder at the first jump and remain forward at all times, deliberately creating a very awkward position for the rider that requires both strength and coordination to stay on the horse. In saddle -bronc competition, the rider must make a full sweep with the spurs from shoulder to flank with each jump, requiring great concentration, and any error in balance puttingputs the rider in a position to be quickly unseated. Bull riders are allowed a position that is the closest to that of classic riding, they are not required to spur the bull, but if they choose to spur, may do so with their legs down in a style that resembles a normal riding position.