Traditional Cowboy Spurs Are Becoming Hot Fashion Accessories
Posted: Monday, May 23, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
Ever seen a real cowboy who’s not sporting a pair of spurs? Nothing says, “I’m a cowboy” quite like the cowboy hat, cowboy boots and the spurs. When you see the real deal – and I’m not talking about a wanna be cowboy now – it’s a sure bet that man is a self-assured individual in denim and spurs.A whole collectible following has grown up around American spurs especially antique ones. Often, they are made out of silver, are ornate, and remind the collector of the rich history of Wild West days. It stands to reason that older pairs are more valuable. If the collector is lucky enough to get a pair owned by a famous or notorious western personality, then the price of the spurs escalates dramatically.
Many books have been written about cowboy spurs and there are numerous catalogs from manufacturers featuring them. Famed designers Crocket and Renalde produced spur mementos of historic importance, many of which have become beloved keepsakes in cowboy collections. Most certainly, if the collector is interested in the Wild West, and spurs in particular, choices are great and prices range widely.
The spur itself is a relatively simple, practical design consisting of a U-shape that surrounds the heel of the boot. In the center of that U, or center of the boot heel, is a shank extension of anywhere from 1/2 inch ending in a point, blunt end or with a rowel. To hold the spurs in place on the boot, a spur strap is attached to both ends of the U and secured with a buckle. It is even possible these days to obtain styles that clamp tightly to boot heels without requiring the straps.
Most spurs are made with blunt ends or blunted rowel designs so as not to give undue or forced pain to the horse. Likewise, custom spurs with pointed star rowels are likely to hurt and cause discomfort, but I’d like to say they are not used often.
As the cowboy cues his horse during various riding maneuvers, he uses the spurs to add pressure, dig into the sides of the horse or roll the rowel along the horse’s side. Well done and used properly, spurs add cues in addition to using hands to bit and reins. They provide another aid for the horse to receive commands from the rider.
Spurs add the extra motivation for the horse to pay attention. They intend to convey the message to the horse that “my rider is on the job and I am expected to listen.” Using spurs, however, should never be the first message to the horse and they should never be used harshly, irrationally or as punishment. Callous spurring of any horse is uncalled for.
Cowboy spurs are now so popular that they have become a fashion accessory right along with the cowboy boot and hat. They are now frequently used as western jewelry. In fact, single and double mounted spurs are resplendent with elaborate designs. Fixed to the outside of the shank and frequently made out of silver or encrusted with jewelry, spurs may be finished with western motifs such as bull skulls, stars, or other western cowboy symbols. An increasingly hot fashion item, spurs are in high demand as items of jewelry.
Generally speaking, the American western spur has changed little over many years. The primary function of the spur remains horse control. But frequently these days, cowboy-inspired designs go from horse to dance floor to dinner to rodeo – it’s nice to have them as a fashion inspired hot trend.
Picture the cowboy, and also the cowgirl, wearing their jinglebobs as they head out for a night on the town. Better yet, see the young lady use spurs as the finishing touch to her stunning riding outfit as she prepares to enter the showring.A pair of finely crafted spurs can be unique to the cowboy, making a statement as to who he is- Spurs are practical in use, collectible as a hobby, and make a bold fashion statement in horse circles and elsewhere.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)I have just one question. Do you wear spurs when you go dancin? My vivid imagination sees potential accidents. Otherwise, this is a hoot. I spent much time in West Texas. Never saw this is possible fashion item.
Hi Heidi.
I love the look and sound of western style spurs, but I've also seen the result of using them improperly ... hundreds of dimpled scars along the rib cage of a horse. Sorry, I just had to add that thought. But I do love the look of them. They are very evocative.
I knew a real cowboy once. When we first moved to the Prescott area it was still very small. I worked for a while at a fast food establishment that still had a hitching post outside. At certain times of the year, this cowboy would ride in, fresh from herding cattle, hitch is horse and come in and order a late dinner. He smelled like cows and horses, was dustier than all get out, wore full leather working chaps and had jingly spurs on his boots. I was always happy to see him because he told me by his presence that I was where I had always wanted to be. :)
I enjoyed your article and the pictures of the spurs. I particularly liked the five-leaf clover.
Hugs,
DianneDrats Dianne. You might say I didn't finish what I started - again. Wrote you a fine reply and I'm here now writing a short note to Jack - I didn't finish with the save on the note and lost it. Cannot tell you how often I have done this. Drat!
Don't remember all I said but I remember it was good (grin grin!). Something about how there's rough people out there that seem to place no feelings into account for any other being. They're cruel and rough and uncaring. You get that with riders right along with all the other unfeeling humans. Spurs have their place and should always be used only when a horse needs to pay attention or respond and then there are proper ways - it is never OK to hurt the horse. In fact, most riders and cowboys frown on overspurring. Only place where spurs aim to get the horse is in bareback riding, bronc riding and so forth. Sad observation indeed.
Hail to the cowboy. Wish I saw me a cowboy!We don't see 'em much around here anymore. Sad. But I did see a bunch of modern cowboys on ponies rounding up the cattle on the Fain Ranch land the other day. Wasn't close enough to see if they wore spurs, but they were wearing ball caps instead of cowboy hats. Pah!
Yes, there are always a few intent on giving the rest a bad name. And the truth is, that out of all the horses I've seen, there was just the one with the spur scars (one too many in my estimation). All the dressage riders that I know that use spurs, use the kind that are just a small nub sticking out about 3/4 of an inch with no rowel. I haven't tried them yet. "My" horse usually only needs a quiet word or a double squeeze on the reins to come back to me (unless some butterfly has just scared the cr$* out of him :)). But then he is 28 years old and very well schooled. Perfect for a novice like me. I've seen some very green horses that needed both the crop and spurs ... haven't got their heads in the game yet. Can't blame them really, must seem all so arbitrary ... "Okay, you want me to do THIS now ... but WHY? Wouldn't it be more fun to do THIS?"
Here's to more cowboys!
Hugs,
DianneIf anyone was going to see cowboys, I'd think you would being in Arizona and all. I kind of picture everything western and cowboy there. Am surprised about the guys in baseball caps instead of cowboy hats. I guess the casual caps are making inroads everywhere. Here in New England, I see a guy coming up to my car and he's wearing a baseball cap, I get the heck out of his way cause he's on the move - just an aside.
English riders don't use spurs the same way the western ones do. I rarely used spurs. I carried a whip in all the shows, much like I wore gloves and the attire that was suitable for the class. Rarely needed the use of the whip and if the horse needed a reminder, all that was necessary was to give it a flick, never even touching the horse. I carried across the withers as the gaited riders did. What I liked about the english spurs is that I had clipons. Easy on and off. Presto. Is Diablo the 28 year old?
Here's to more cowboys or, better yet, Marlboro men (without the cigarettes) woohoo! OK down Heidi. Yipee kaia kaieYup, Diablo is 28 ... but he doesn't look a day over 15. :) Diablo, according to his owner, is kind of funny. He actually likes to jump but need "encouragement" to do it. So you have to carry the "brave stick." If you don't have a whip (no need to actually use it) in your hand, he won't jump.
I don't really use the whip either although the stallion pretty much can't be ridden without it. Not because he's unruly ... he's actually very sweet ... he just needs a little extra encouragement now and then. Well, a lot really. :) I've been told that you have to carry the whip on the inside and so I'd have to constantly be switching it from hand to hand. Honestly, I've enough to think about and remember without having to do that too. :) I should send you my "what to remember while riding" piece. It's kind of funny.
Well done. I enjoyed it. I'll be in California at my place in the desert foothills in a week or so. I'm a fake cowboy (a while ago from Rawlins, WY now from Pioneertown, CA). My Philadelphia accent gives me away.Ah, don't think of it as fake cowboy. Think of it as playing the part. It's popular, memorable and the people love a cowboy. Most people don't know fake from real, long as the look is there. That Philadelphia accent is a sort of drawl anyway - sort of like ours was coming from Pittsburgh. Twang it out a bit and you'll pass. Have heaps of fun in California.
read and enjoyed - wish we had cowboys and cowgirls here in Vermont.
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