![]() The influence of ornate early Spanish design is still evident. Western spurs almost invariably have rowels. In today’s American West, spur styles continue to change. The spur as an art form, as well as a tool, is seen in western riding, where spurs with engraving and other artistic elements, often handmade and using sterling silver or other precious metals, are still worn. The spur is an important part of the cowboy way of lifeĭescendants of the Spanish spur are still seen today, particularly in Mexico and the western United States, where the spur has become an integral part of the Mexican vaquero and American cowboy traditions. And, while the spur is used in many equestrian disciplines, the rest of our discussion will be focused on the western spur. ![]() In northern Europe, the spur became less elaborate after the 16th century, particularly following the Stuart Restoration, but elaborate spur designs persisted, particularly in the Americas. For example, the spurs of the Spanish conquistadores were sometimes called espuela grande, the “grand spur”, and could have rowels as large as six inches around. Spur designs in Spain and colonial Mexico were particularly elaborate. ![]() More likely, the elaborate designs reflected the increased abundance of precious metals, particularly silver, that followed the European exploration of the Americas that began in 1492. Though sometimes it has been claimed that the design changes were used because of barding (the use of war armor on horses), the use of barding had fallen out of fashion by the time the most elaborate spur designs were created. Though often decorated throughout history, in the 15th century, spurs became an art form in both decoration and design, with elaborate engraving, very long shanks, and large rowels. So important to the medieval knight was the honor of earning his spurs, that in the rare cases on ceremonious degradation, the spurs were hacked from the disgraced knight’s heels with the cook’s chopper!Ĭolonial Spanish espuela grande circa 16th century. To “win his spurs” meant to gain knighthood, as gilded spurs were recognized as the badge of knighthood. The spurs of medieval knights were gold gilt and those of squires were silvered. The earliest rowels probably did not revolve, but were fixed. In England, the rowel spur is shown upon the first seal of Henry III and on monuments of the 13th century, but it did not come into general use until the 14th century. Prick spurs had straight necks in the 11th century and bent ones in the 12th. Note the “prick” spurs at the heels of the soldiers.Įarly spurs had a neck that ended in a point, called a prick, riveted to the heel band. Iron or bronze spurs were also used throughout the Roman Empire, and the spur also existed in the medieval Arab world. The spur was used by the Celtic people of the northern British Isles beginning in the fifth century B.C. This very old word derives from the Anglo-Saxon spura, and spora, to the Medieval High German sporn, and then the modern Dutch spoor, all of which mean “to kick.” As centuries passed, the generalized sense of “anything that urges on as a stimulus” has been known as a spur since at least 1390. It is usually used to refine the riding aids (commands) and to back up the natural aids of the leg, seat, hands, and voice. What is a spur?Ī spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of riding boots for the purpose of directing a horse or other animal to move forward or laterally while riding. Not that the cowboy doesn’t enjoy the jingle, mind you.īut, what of these pieces of metal strapped to the boot of the iconic American cowboy? From where did they come, and for what is their purpose? Well, my friend, for the answer to these questions about the western spur, read on. And, to most any person raised in the city, the cowboy’s jingling spur rowels might appear to be pure pretension, but the spurs to which they are attached are a very necessary part of his equipment. If there is one thing that defines a cowboy, it’s the jingle-jangle of his spurs “singing.” Yes, the western spur sings with a distinctive cling-clanggg that lets everyone ’round know there is a cow puncher approaching.
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