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Two English Spur Questions
Topic Started: Nov 24 2007, 05:12 AM (423 Views)
PaintedPony
Schooling
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1. What type of English spur strap do you prefer (nylon or leather) and why do you prefer it?

2. Is there any type of extra wide or adjustable spurs?

The reason I ask question two is because I typically ride in paddock boots and half chaps, but my half chaps come down over my heel. I haven't been able to find a set of spurs that will go over my half chaps. I tried a pair of Men's but the spur sides were just longer, not wider side to side.

Thanks!
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naters
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Easy, poke hole in said half chaps for the spur "thingie" to come out of the back. Some half chaps already have this hole in the back down by your heel. I think the treadsteps do.

OR

Take one hand on each spur side arm. Bend open further. That's what I did with mine.
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Due's Mom
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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I'm with naters, you just bend the spur. I usually have a cheap pair that I would use for every day.

I was never a fan of the nylon straps as I am a traditionalist. Spur straps are cheap and I still have them all over the place
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jn4jenny
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Is the meadow on fire?
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I am not fond of nylon OR leather spur straps. I much prefer the new Nunn Finer Rubber Spur Straps--washable, unlikely to break or stretch, and look enough like leather that they don't attract attention to themselves.
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PaintedPony
Schooling
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I've just found some people to say that the leather gets dirty and dried out and then is incredibly difficult to bend. I've never owned spurs before so I'm not sure what to ask for in my Christmas list!
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snaffle
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Is the meadow on fire?
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I prefer the leather spur straps. I find the nylon ones are difficult to get 'seated'...meaning that they slide through the spurs when you're putting them on your boots. Also, I found it difficult to poke the buckle through the nylon.

I have a pair coated in black rubber that are really easy to bend open to fit over boots/half chaps. No idea what brand they are. I got them at my local tack shop and they were less than $20.
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Due's Mom
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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PaintedPony
Nov 25 2007, 03:40 PM
I've just found some people to say that the leather gets dirty and dried out and then is incredibly difficult to bend. I've never owned spurs before so I'm not sure what to ask for in my Christmas list!

If you treat your spurstraps like you do your boots, this won't be a problem
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OpticalIllusion
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You're BANNED!
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I use the leather straps and they hold up great. My spurs are a permanent fixture on my paddock boots, so my spur straps see a LOT of mud, dirt, wet, dry, you name it funky stuff. My current pair have lasted me longer then I remember. Over 3 years. I hate nylon ones, you have to fight to get them buckled.

As far as adjustable spurs, just stretch them apart and squeeze them together to very width.
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PaintedPony
Schooling
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Great! Thanks for everyone's helpful advice! I will ask for leather straps since the catalog I'm using doesn't offer rubber ones and I need more items out of Dover than I do out of Bit of Britain.

So one more spur question:

What's the difference between Tom Thumb and Prince of Wales spurs? Does one work better than another? My horse doesn't really need much, just a tiny reminder that I said move. They aren't something I'll use everyday...I'm just trying them out to see if he'll react to my leg more quickly. I'm looking at the tiny nubby ones, like 3/4".

Thanks.
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jn4jenny
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Is the meadow on fire?
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I hate Bit of Britain (yes, I know that John Nunn owns BoB, but I can't stand their obnoxious shipping prices--it's the same reason that I don't shop at Dover). I get my Nunn Finer products from VTO, who will gladly sell you the Nunn Finer Rubber Stirrup Straps for $9.95 + $4.99 flat-rate shipping for as much as you care to buy. www.vtosaddlery.com.

"Tom Thumb" is a term describing a very very short spur. "Prince of Wales" is a term describing any spur of any length that has a flat end, making it slightly sharper. Thus it is possible to have a Tom Thumb Prince of Wales Spur--a very very short shank with a flat end.
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SnackPack
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You're BANNED!
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naters
Nov 24 2007, 04:20 AM
Easy, poke hole in said half chaps for the spur "thingie" to come out of the back.  Some half chaps already have this hole in the back down by your heel.  I think the treadsteps do.

I just let the spur wear a hole in my half chaps. Didn't take long and I only use the tiniest of tom thumb spurs.

My full chaps don't have a hole...and they cover my spur...but horsey feels it just fine. He let's me know when he thinks I'm using too much spur :lol: , so I'm not too worried that the chap is blocking the use of my miniscule spur.

My favorite spurs straps are the leather ones Dehner sent with my custom boots. They are so nice and soft and flexible. I use crap straps (leather) for everyday as they stay on my Ariat Terrains.

My Tom Thumbs are probably 1/4 -1/2"...they are seriously miniscule...but I do have lots of other sizes. I find spurs to be like bits...you can never have too many.
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OnyxThePony
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My men's spurs are wider not just longer, to fit over my winter boots/half chaps. They were a pretty cheap brand, something that came in a flat package with a cardboard back and plastic front..(as opposed to a velvet lined box).. Dublin maybe?
Nylon straps are grosslooking and pose a hazard if you happen to ever get hung up on a spur strap (unlikely but leather is still safer). I also rarely oil my straps and they hang in for years.
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