Riding Spurs & Straps

Need riding spurs? Unamari has everything in spurs for horse and pony riders. Equestrian spurs are for you if you need to amplify and refine your signals from the shank and heel to the horse. Here you'll find several different models and spur straps and guidance on when to use which spurs.

We carry spurs from Neue Schule and Equipage, and you can also get spur straps in several different materials, colors and with and without bling details on the buckles. See the full range of spurs and spur straps below.

What are riding spurs?

Riding spurs are a small metal device that acts as an aid and signal amplifier from the rider's heel to the horse. Riding spurs are available in many different shapes and lengths for both horse and pony. If you need spurs, it's important to choose ones that match the experience of both rider and horse and to use them correctly.

Spurs are an aid and should always be used gently and with care. Specifically, spurs consist of a metal pin that typically sits on a metal bracket around the rider's heel. The spike on equestrian spurs is called a "thorn" in technical terms, and it comes in different lengths and models in varying shapes that are perceived differently by the horse. The actual hoops around the heel cap that the spike sits on are called "arms".

How should spurs be used?

Spurs are a signal amplifier and an aid to communication between rider and horse. Riding with spurs requires the rider to be in control of their basic riding, body, balance and leg position. Used correctly, spurs clarify the rider's signals and the horse's perception of them, and should be used gently and never with kicks or jolts.

Although spurs are a small metal pin that comes into contact with the horse, they can be a gentle and subtle signal booster if the rider uses them correctly. That is, with small flicks and touches. Conversely, even a short and rounded spur can hurt and be uncomfortable for the horse if used harshly or offensively. Spurs should always be used as a clarification of good communication from the rider, not as a way to make it harder.

Riding spurs: What types of spurs are approved?

At the start of the competition, you can only ride with approved spurs if you use the aid. According to the Danish Equestrian Federation, approved spurs are metal, always uniform and rounded. According to the rules, spurs must also always be mounted so that they point downwards and have an angle so that they point straight backwards and do not curve to the sides.

There are different rules for exactly what kind of spurs and track length you can ride with when riding a pony or horse. What they all have in common is that metal spurs can be with or without a rubber coating, that the mandrel must be what we call blunt - i.e. rounded - and that your spurs must be correctly fitted to the riding boot.

If you're scratching your head and wondering how should spurs face, the answer is this:

When you look at a spur, you will see that in many cases it is angled slightly downwards for the spur arm. A properly fitted spur faces downwards or vertically off the arm. The spur must also sit with the arm around the heel cap of the riding boot, while the spur strap goes under the foot along the heel of the boot and over the instep. The buckle on the spur strap should face outwards and away from the horse. Alternatively, there are also the less common click spurs that snap onto the back of the boot.

Pony spurs: Length and what kind?

Pony spurs have a maximum length of 2 cm and are measured from the heel of the boot to the tip of the spike (spur tip). At the start of the competition, only traditional pony spurs are allowed - wheel spurs, hammer spurs and ball spurs are not allowed for pony riders, according to the Danish Equestrian Federation. The shorter and more rounded a spur, the milder it is in principle.

In practice, a pony spur is typically no longer than 15 mm, and pony spurs and junior spurs are often one and the same.

Horse spurs: Length and what kind?

There is no length restriction on spurs at horse shows, according to DRF. It is also allowed to ride with wheel spurs, hammer spurs and ball spurs as long as the wheel and ball rotate freely and are softly rounded. Horse spurs are typically available in two arm widths, ladies and men's.

Which riding spurs should I choose?

Which riding spurs are best to choose depends first of all on your experience, needs and your horse's sensitivity. Secondly, it's a good rule of thumb that the shorter and more rounded the spur, the softer it is. However, a spur is never softer or sharper than the rider who is leading them.

In addition, many consider ball and rounded wheel spurs to be among the softest types of spurs. Rounded spurs such as knob spurs should also generally feel gentler when they meet the horse than classic spurs. In practice, of course, it depends on how you use the spurs as a rider and not least the sensitivity of your horse.

If you are a pony rider and need spurs, it's a good idea to stick to pony spurs or junior spurs. If you're an adult rider, remember that the width of the spur arm is available in two sizes and that the width of your rear foot must match one of the two widths.

Remember spur straps for your spurs

Spurs with an arm - i.e. a strap around the boot - are fitted with spur straps. Riding spurs are typically available in leather and nylon, and in large and brown. You can also get spur straps with silver or brass buckles and bling details such as glittering stones at the buckle.

Large selection of spurs at Unamari

Whether you're looking for stainless steel spurs or other riding equipment, you'll find it all at Unamari. We take pride in producing the best riding equipment on the market, which is why you can find high-quality spurs and spur straps. Check out the full range on this page and buy today.