Spurs are a metal tool worn on the heels of boots that are used to motivate horses into paying attention. Spurring a horse, however gently, sends the message “I’m serious about what I just asked you to do”. They should be the last thing you use to communicate to the horse, not the first thing. A cowboy is not well regarded if they use spurs harshly.
It is believed that The Romans developed spurs in order to have a way to steer their horses with their legs, while leaving their hands free to fight. Personally I question that because a well trained horse will move easily with leg and foot pressure. I think the spur was more about taking poorly trained horses and getting them to comply through pain avoidance.
In the middle ages spurs and the metal from which they were made were a mark of rank. And as you would expect patterns became intricate and the look of the spur was intended to convey power and prestige. There is a little of that in today’s cowboy spurs but mostly they are just an extremely useful tool.
The spur is basically a U shape that fits around the heel of the boot with a narrow piece sticking out the back. That can be just a post or more commonly a rotating rowel (round piece cut into various shapes). The metal can be anything from iron to silver or gold but obviously working cowboys don’t wear spurs with precious metal.
In Spain the rowel evolved into a very large piece with points on it and that influence is seen in Central and South America still today. Northern America and Australian spurs tend to have small rowels although some vaquero style cowboys like the more pointed rowels.
Why a rowel instead of just a point? Because you can roll it against the horses side and unless done severely that is a nicer way to communicate with the horse. I think it is also clearer to the horse. Instead of just a quick jab which he might interpret as an accident there is a long stroke against his side which is unmistakeable.
A leather strap typically goes across the top of the foot part of the boot and fastens to each side of the spur to hold it on. Sometimes small chains are also attached that go under the boot by the heel to hold it in place.
High end silversmiths have made spurs for generations and in the early west blacksmiths often made them without a lot of decoration. Today most cowboys are wearing ones that are mass produced by many fine makers. Decoration counts, however, and you see small figures or brands or even words. Some have a small “jingle” that is attached to rattle against the metal and create a pleasant noise. And increasingly nice spurs are a prize at a horse competition event.
You want your spur to be unique and it’s a statement about who you are. It’s one of the first thing I notice about another cowboy.
Collectors look for spurs made by Garcia, Blanchard, Kelly, Crockett, Beurmann. And most of today’s silversmiths will make custom spurs if you want to spend the money.
Spurs are practical and fun and collectible and a fashion statement all at the same time. And VERY cowboy.
I carry two excellent books about spurs in my cowboy buckle store.
Texan Jane Pattie’s Cowboy Spurs and their Makers you can get HERE.
and
If you want photographs of spurs David Stocklein’s The Spur: History, Art, Culture and Function can be found HERE.