Look Ma, No Spurs!

The crop is longer than my tack box!

It’s easy to keep buying bigger spurs. What’s harder is riding without them and building a stronger leg.

You know you have a good trainer when they enjoy trouble shooting. After watching me struggle to get into the ends of the ring on day three of a horse show, Jen decided to try a new tactic.

A plethora of spurs

Since September 1^st, I’ve been riding sans-spur and using a dressage crop (whip). Captain sees the edge of the crop from the corner of his eye and edges over to the side of the ring.  I’m now pressing with my leg more than I ever did.  That’s because I used to feel bad about sticking the spur in his sides, but now that it’s just my boot, I go for it. 

Best of all, when I drop the crop to jump a course, we both act like I still have it. 

Learning to ride without spurs