Bull Riding Spur Heel Straps? Top 107 Best Answers

Many horse people know the principle “spurs have to be earned” with good reason. Spurs in the wrong hands can be painful and unethical for horses. At the same time, spurs can be helpful tools that do not harm horses when used correctly.

For this reason, there is no universal answer to the question “Is it ethical to use spores?”. In some hands, spurs are completely unethical, while in others they are helpful and painless.

To learn when spurs hurt horses and are unethical, read on. This article explains how to choose and use ethical spurs. Let’s start.

What are spores?

As you probably know, spurs are small pieces of metal that attach to the back of the riding boot. The purpose of the spur is to steer or get the horse going. Spurs come in many sizes and shapes, some more painful than others.

Spurs are often used by riders using horses for work when looking over cattle and other animals. Spurs are also worn for dressage and other shows where spurs are often required by the rules, although the rider need not use the spurs to lead the horse.

Do spurs harm horses?

Whether or not spurs harm horses depends largely on the type of spur used and how the rider uses it. Ideally, spurs do not hurt horses. However, if used incorrectly, spores can cause skin scratching, bleeding, and other pain. For this reason, spurs should not be worn by inexperienced riders.

More specifically, spurs should only be worn by experienced riders on horses that require spurs. Because not all horses need spurs, they should not be used on all horses. If a rider chooses to wear spurs, it is important that the rider is experienced in both riding and spur use.

If the horse needs spurs and the rider knows how to use spurs, spurs are perfectly ethical. On the other hand, spurs are painful and unethical if used incorrectly.

When are spurs painful and unethical?

There are some very clear times when using spurs is painful and unethical. Most importantly, spores are unethical when misused and used as negative reinforcement.

When used incorrectly

Many new riders try Spurs too soon. When first riding a horse, new riders often clip their legs to the side of the horse. Without spurs this is not a problem, but with spurs the exercise is very painful. Because of this, only experienced riders should attempt to wear spurs.

Likewise, many new spur carriers do not know how hard they should touch the horse with the spur, often with painful consequences for the horse. This proves once again how important it is to only wear spurs if you have experience with horses and the equipment.

Improper use of the spur is most often an accident. Since this is an accident, most people wouldn’t say at this point that spurs are unethical, even though they are painful. What is unethical is when riders don’t bother to learn the correct use of spurs on horses beforehand.

To ensure you are using spores ethically, speak to a professional for guidance on the matter. By doing your best to ensure you use the spurs correctly, you minimize unethical treatment of the horse.

When used as a negative reinforcement

Spurs are highly unethical for Riders to use as negative reinforcements. For example, some people use spurs to punish a horse for not acting as instructed. This is unethical as it is considered physical punishment for the horse. Just as you wouldn’t hit a dog for misbehavior, you shouldn’t use spurs as punishment.

Instead, think of spurs as a way of letting your horse know what you want them to do. After all, that’s the point of Spurs. They are a means of communication, not punishment. Using spurs as negative reinforcement is unethical and improper use of the tool.

How to use spores ethically

If you plan to use spurs, it’s important that you learn how to use them properly. Even with the best of intentions, you can easily startle and injure your horse if you don’t know how to use spurs. Here are some things to keep in mind as you learn how to use your spurs:

First, make yourself comfortable on your horse

If you are new to horseback riding in general, wait a while before buying spurs. Many people make the mistake of buying spurs before they are completely comfortable on the horse. Often this leads to unintentional injury and pain to the horse.

This is because many new riders seek support with their legs, resulting in them gently stroking the horse’s sides with their legs. Without spurs it doesn’t harm the horse, but the habit hurts the horse quickly if you wear spurs. Don’t put spurs on until you know you’re not unwittingly reaching for footholds.

Get spurs only when needed

Many horses do not need spurs. For example, many sensitive horses and high-energy horses respond when you apply pressure with just your foot. There’s no need to scare the horse further if it’s already responding the way you want it to.

Allow the horse to react before using spurs

If you find your horse needs spurs, always give your horse a chance to respond to other cues first, and only use your spurs if your horse isn’t listening to the other cues. Most likely, your horse will start to respond to the other cues once you train them properly.

Think of tapping instead of jabbing

The first image most people have when they think of horse spurs is those old western movies where the cowboy rams his spurs into the horse. This is not how you should use spores. Instead, gently pat the horse’s side instead of hitting the spurs. Tapping the spurs will get your horse’s attention without harming him.

Listen to your horse

Once you’ve put on your spurs, make sure you’re highly sensitive to your horse. Most horses will let you know if you hurt them. If your horse shows any signs of being injured by the spur, listen and act accordingly.

How to choose ethical spurs

Another aspect of ethical spore use is selecting the right spores. There are many spurs to choose from in today’s market, some more ethical than others. Make sure you buy spores that are ethically developed.

If you know your horse responds quickly to most hits, you can get small spurs, if any, that pose little risk of injury. More stubborn horses may take a little longer. In any case, look for gentle and ethical designs. Most reputable spore companies only sell ethical spores.

Final Thoughts

Spurs are ethical when in the right hands. As the old saying goes, you have to earn your stripes. For riders who deserve them, spurs can be a helpful and ethical tool. In addition, responsible riders know how to use spurs to ensure the horse is not injured in the process.

Because spores can be potentially dangerous, these helpful tools can quickly become painful and unethical. When an abusive owner gets their hands on it, spurs are downright painful and unethical. Therefore, only use spurs if you are well trained in the selection and use of these potentially painful devices.

Selected image source: George Dolgikh, Shutterstock

Button: This is the part that slides into the spur straps to hold them on the spur.

Pivot Arm: The pivot arm holds the button on the heel strap and when foldable allows for some movement. Bronc spurs typically have the underside of the spur directly on the heel strap and do not have a pivot arm.

Heel Strap: The heel strap is the part that slides onto the back of your boot. It is sized to fit the rider and can be made from different weights of material for different preferences. Overlays can be placed on this part of the spur to embellish it. Other names for this part of the spur are “yoke” or “branch”.

Upper: The upper is the contact between the heel strap and the heel. It is offered in many different lengths and angles to ensure the rider can use their spurs in the best possible way. Overlays are also often placed on this part of the spurs. This part is sometimes referred to as the “neck” of the spur.

Rowel Pin: As the name suggests, this is the pin that holds the Rowel on the shaft. It can be attached in many ways, the most common being welding the end of the pin to the outside of the shaft.

Rowel: The rowel is the part of the spur that makes contact with your horse. Rowels come in many shapes, sizes and materials. Rowels typically spin on the rowel pin attached to the shaft.

During the rodeo we get a lot of questions about what a shoulder strap is and if it hurts the animal. As the Director of Rodeo and Chuckwagons, I travel to all the major rodeos in North America and have seen hundreds of animals getting ready down the slide. I want to set the record straight.

A flank strap is a leather strap lined or padded with sheepskin. Flank straps are not laced with spikes and other irritants as some people have incorrectly claimed. A rider aims for the highest possible score, and damaging his horse or bull has the opposite effect. Since half of a contestant’s score goes to the animal’s performance, it is in the cowboy’s interest to treat it well.

On a new bucking horse, the strap around its flank will cause itching or at most irritation (but so will any new piece of equipment on a new horse—even a saddle). In a practiced bucking horse or bull, the flank strap acts as a conditioning tool – the animal learns to associate the flank strap with performance.

The strap is adaptable to each individual horse or bull, but it is not possible to make a buck simply by adding a flank strap. If this were the case, any animal could fight the stock. The flank strap enhances the bucking motion and helps the animal step out and up, but does not force the animal to buck when not in the mood.

While the animal is standing in the chute, the flank strap is loosely attached. It is not tied around an animal’s genitals. This is a physical impossibility and those who claim it need an anatomy lesson. In human terms, the strap is similar to wearing a tight-fitting belt around the waist.

When the gate is opened and the animal exits the chute, the harness is tightened to a set limit, depending on the animal. The limit ensures that the belt is not accidentally overtightened. When the horse or bull feels the strap tighten, they know it’s time to buck.

Watch this video to see what a flank strap looks like and what it does:

Learning to use spurs properly is all about the feel, says AQHA Judge LeeAnn DeMars. It’s the same kind of finesse you want to develop in your hands. With spurs, she says, “You have to have that control through your leg and heel. The more you improve the feeling, the less you have to move your leg.”

Develop a stable leg

Spurs should never be a substitute for a bad leg. Most importantly, they should be used as a last resort. “Your cues start with your seat, follow your leg, and end with your spurs,” she says. “Using your spurs shouldn’t be your first reaction.”

When LeeAnn is working with a beginner, the trainer will ensure the rider builds leg strength and position before the beginner straps on the spurs.

“The driver has to develop a stable leg,” she says.

Adjust your stirrup length

The stirrup length must be right for every spur rider. Even if the stirrups are just a tad too long, some riders tend to grab with their knees.

“This sends their toes down and heels up,” explains LeeAnn, adding that the spurs go up with the rider’s heels, accidentally kicking the horse. “The foot doesn’t have good control, so the rider uses spurs in a way that’s not meant to be used.”

This is especially true on a hunting saddle, although English tournament spurs are knobby and shorter-shanked than western spurs.

“An English saddle doesn’t have a huge fender,” says LeeAnn. “The rider’s leg has much more range of motion.” A novice huntsman must be able to control his feet and legs before wearing spurs.

“Until you can get riders to keep their calves on the horse and their heels down, it’s not a good idea to put spurs on them,” says LeeAnn. “Or they grab the balance with their heels and spurs and cause an undesirable reaction, like B. Leaking or speeding.”

While some horses may not shuffle or startle, other signs show the horse’s discomfort. A horse might wag its tail, prick up its ears, or flap its tail in protest. Quite simply, your horse will let you know if you are abusing your spurs.

Adjusting the stirrup length for a hunt-seat saddle will let your feet off the irons. The bottom of the iron should be level with your ankle. For the correct adjustment of the western stirrups, stand in the stirrups. LeeAnn says a hand’s width — about 4 inches of daylight — between the seat of the saddle and your seat is about right. When you sit back down, your stirrup length should be correct.

Spurs for English events are more nubbed and have a shorter shank than western spurs. (Source: AQHA)

Make sure your spurs fit

Ill-fitting spurs will rock up or down and flap around on your boot. LeeAnn says spurs need to be snug. This is mainly because the heel counter is the right size for the rider’s foot and boot. Spurs range from youth to women’s and men’s sizes. Even so, the type of boot you wear will have some bearing on the size of the appropriate spur.

“A crepe-soled boot needs a wider heel than a leather-soled boot,” says LeeAnn. She suggests taking your boots with you when you go shopping. Keep in mind that while you can use a vise to widen or narrow the spur, large changes are not possible. About 1/4 inch is all you can expect to win or lose. Spurs made of stainless steel are more difficult to spread.

With each spur, the heel cup that slides over the heel of the boot is fairly firm. If it doesn’t fit your shoe to begin with, it’s very unlikely you can change the spur.

Choose high quality spur straps

Spur straps play an important role in keeping spurs in place. LeeAnn likes wide straps on western spurs because they help the spurs stay in place. And they offer a little more protection on the inside of the foot.

Quality is an important issue whether it is a western or English spur strap. “Avoid cheap leather that falls apart or buckles that don’t work,” says LeeAnn. English straps must have the buckles on the outside, with the ends down. LeeAnn adds that the shanks of English spurs must also point down.

“It’s not acceptable to show your spurs,” she says.

The right tool for the job

When one of her students is ready to use spurs, LeeAnn generally pulls out a short-shanked bullet spur. The horse will know that the rider has spurs and will respect him or her, even if it’s a light spur. But if the rider kicks hard, the bunion spur is not annoying for the horse.

If the rider has good leg position but hasn’t developed much leg strength yet, LeeAnn will produce a longer shank ball spur. This works, she says, even for small children or light riders who don’t have a lot of muscle in their legs.

“The more you contract your muscle, the weaker it gets,” she says. “So when you have your leg tucked in as much as possible, it weakens. Increasing the length of the spur shaft provides more leverage and allows you to get more power out of this rider’s leg.”

LeeAnn suits riders with a long shaft ball or blunt end spur before letting them use a spur with rowels.

“The Rowel is kind of a last resort,” she says. “But if I let a rider use a rowel, it’s probably one that has a fairly straight shaft.”

Spurs are like bits. Needs change and sometimes you need more than one pair. “I have three different pairs for myself,” she says. “What I use depends on the horse. When I’m on an inexperienced horse that needs to learn something and I don’t want to tease him, I go to a spur that’s soft but helps me get the point even if I have to use it a little harder. ”

“Personally,” LeeAnn explains, “I don’t want a lot of point on my rowels.” She prefers a blunter roll that rolls. “That’s the whole purpose. They roll the oars up the horse’s side, which works better than just stabbing them. When you roll it, you get a new feel with each area the roll touches. It brings new life to the horse’s skin.”

This is similar to using your leg without a spur. It hangs straight down and you apply pressure. If you don’t get an answer, move it to a new area to create a different level of feeling.

Before using spurs, make sure the rider has a well-developed leg and is comfortable in the saddle. Remember that spurs should be used as a last resort and riders should be aware of the effects they can have on their mount.

WHAT about the vests? And those leather chaps? How is it scored? It’s time to learn about the daredevil sport of bull riding.

We spoke to Australian professional bull rider David Mason to answer all of these questions and more about this fast growing sport.

1. What gear and gear will be worn?

Professional bull riders must wear a padded vest and leather chaps. Some riders opt for a cowboy hat while others opt for a helmet. Spurs are also important for anchoring riders’ feet.

“The vests are protective, they save a lot of broken ribs. Getting kicked helps a hell of a lot,” Mason said ahead of the PBR Australian Nationals in Sydney on July 11.

But while the vests serve a purpose, the chaps not so much.

“The guys might see the punch but they don’t do much more than that. I wouldn’t wear them if I didn’t have to. When you get up for those bigger events, you have to wear them.”

2. What kind of training do professional bull riders do?

“We do a lot of crossfit, not too many heavy weights, because we don’t want to get big or you slow down your reflexes. It’s all about lifting your own body weight. I walk at least an hour every day. We also ride exercise bulls,” Mason said.

David Mason from Bulahdelah NSW, on Jabbawockeez. Image: Fiona Harding Source: News Corp Australia

3. What are some of the worst injuries drivers have had?

“I’ve had buddies who are paralyzed from the shoulders down. We all know it could happen, but we just do it,” Mason said.

It is clear that this is a dangerous sport, but drivers must never allow fear to enter their minds.

“Cuts, concussions, broken bones, ligaments, I got hurt pretty bad all over.

“How many concussions? It’s not to say I’ve lost count. It’s not really scary because you don’t feel it until you wake up and then it’s all over.”

The PBR recently introduced a concussion rule requiring riders suspected of having a concussion to undergo a series of tests with doctors before being allowed back on a bull.

4. How much money does a professional bull rider make?

“More and more people are getting into the sport, more sponsorships, it’s getting pretty big. Three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves has made $3.2 million over the past three years for probably 10 minutes of work a year,” Mason said.

“You can win $30,000 to $40,000 in each event. It’s every weekend in the US, and at the end of the year there’s a $1 million bonus for winning the title. $250,000 will be paid to win the World Finals.”

PBR, Troy Dunn Invitational Bull Ride Event in Townsville. NSW’s David Mason on Gun Talk. Source: News Limited

5. Are the bulls feeling pain or suffering?

“They can’t do a bull buck, they love it as much as we do,” Mason said.

“I have a friend who is a builder and you can pet some of them in the backyard. No matter what you do, it either wants to buckle or it doesn’t want to buckle. You are not in danger. The cops are treated better than we really are. And once they stop bucking at the rodeo, they live in the paddock until their days are done.”

6. How is PBR rated?

It’s the most important part of PBR – how to determine who is the best driver of the day.

“There are four judges in the PBR,” Mason said.

“Two judges are there to make sure we tackle the bull cleanly. So if the bull fouls us leaving the slide, we get another one. But as far as scoring goes, there are two judges and they give 25 points for how we ride the bull and 25 points for how the bull bucks. The more it kicks, the more it gets in the air, spins and changes direction, the more points you win.”

David Mason at a PBR meeting. Source: News Limited

7. What is the technique to wrap your hand in the saddle?

Before the bull is released onto the inverted sand arena, the riders can be seen carefully wrapping their hand and fastening it to the saddle. There is a method for doing this, but it can backfire.

“Different guys do it in different ways. You can slip it through your finger, and then if it falls off your hand, you’ll almost certainly get hung. You won’t break your finger, but you will get stuck,” Mason said.

“But we don’t think we’re going to crash.”

8. Are rodeo clowns still used?

You know those old rodeo scenes – a colorfully dressed lunatic jumping right in a bull’s path to distract him and divert his attention from the rider trying to get out of the way. It’s an equally risky job riding bulls, but in PBR they’re called bullfighters, not clowns.

“They used to be called clowns because the guys who protected the drivers used to be comedians to entertain the crowd. Now they’re just there to protect us,” Mason said.

“But I prefer to be on the bull because I can’t hurt myself as much as when I’m standing in front of it.”

9. Where is the best place to drive?

Professional bull riding can be found wherever there are bulls, almost anywhere in the world. The best bull riders come from the USA, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and Australia.

“We travel all year round. I have lived in the US for the past six months. There’s an event over here every other weekend, but it gets busier there with three or four every weekend. There are more people in the sport over there, so the level of competition is higher,” Mason said.

“It has definitely grown here. We used to go to events and there were a thousand people, now we come to Sydney and there are 15,000. They fill the house.”

10. At what age do most riders start?

Bull riding is rarely something that professionals learn later in life. Most come from rural farming areas where livestock are kept in the backyard.

“I have been riding horses since I was a child. I grew up on a small farm on the coast and my uncles have always had dairy farms,” ​​he said.

“I went to my first rodeo when I was five. My mother’s brothers were Australian champions and any chance I got I would go and watch with them.”

Professional Bull Riders, or PBR, has been a fixture of Arlington’s Dirt Month for the past 7 years. What is Dirt Month you might be wondering?

dirty month

/dərt mənTH/

Noun; All month of February at AT&T Stadium in Arlington marked by four octane pumping events taking place on earth. The normal turf of the stadium is replaced by over 100 truckloads of dirt. RFD-TV’s Supercross, Monster Jam, PBR and The American are happening this month.

PBR is a VIP of Dirt Month as these events provide non-stop fun and action for adventurous families and fans of the sport. A huge question we get during Dirt Month concerns the welfare of the animal athletes who compete in the rodeos. We’re here to clear the air on how well these stubborn kings are treated and how they live life on and off the dirt with our list of things you didn’t know about PBR cops:

The American Bucking Bull is a special breed

Bred specifically for competition, the bulls are products of an elite breeding program bred for genetically superior bucking. A recognized breed of cattle, thanks to breeder rights and the ABBI (American Bucking Bull, Inc.), there are more than 200,000 live animals with Bucking Bull genetics. Like racehorses, their ancestry can be traced far back.

The bulls know they are competing and they know the drill

Respect these bucking cops because they’re not just rivals, they’re veteran pro athletes. When they start training at age 1, it’s a constant repetition of the sounds of the arena, being loaded onto a truck, being loaded down the slide, and learning what it’s like to be at a well-attended event. Not all cops will buck – we’re told some just do it right away. At the age of 2 they are placed on their back with a weight called a ‘bucking dummy’ which is controlled remotely – then they know the weight is on them for only 8 seconds. They know when they get to the arena it’s time to shine and get excited like the riders. When they get to the PBR, they know the sounds, lights, the truck, the whole enchilada. In the end, they know they will return to food and water.

You only have one ride during the entire event

One and done, Bucking Bulls only have one ride all night.

Agitation is not used in any way to make them buck

Humpback is an instinct for these specially bred animals. For a ride, bulls have a flank strap that encircles their flanks and is in front of their hips. This creates less erratic stuttering. Spurs are used, but must be blunt (riders actually use spurs to get a grip on the animal) and not scratch the animal. Bull skin is 7 times thicker than human skin!

Bucking chutes have been specifically modified to reduce bull leg injuries

PBR was responsible for redesigning the traditional bucking chute to improve rider and bull safety. Since the redesign, injuries to bulls have been completely eliminated.

They are transported with the utmost care

The animals are only allowed to be transported in air-suspended trailers for a maximum of 10 hours per day to prevent injury before being allowed to rest and graze for 12-14 hours. During transportation, these bulls are in 6-10 inches of soft sawdust

They eat like kings

Bulls are fed 15 pounds of good quality hay each day and are often given B-12 complex vitamin shots and supplements to keep them healthy, happy and at the top of their game. The handlers make sure the bulls are hydrated, well fed and happy before each event.

There is an on-call vet for every livestock supplier at the event

There is always a vet on site or on call. In the event of health problems with an animal at the event, the veterinarian will be notified immediately. This is ethical and has a paper trail, health papers are required for all animals entering the competition. They are carefully checked before the competition.

The cops get acupuncture!

We’re not sure if they appreciate acupuncture as much as we do, but many of the bulls receive top-notch chiropractic care and receive acupuncture to help them stay in peak physical, and therefore emotional, health.

Retirement sounds like a solid business

The bulls participating in the PBR on February 24th are 5-6 years old and more mature. We are told that bulls do not normally become sexually mature until they are 3 or 4 years old. Because these bulls can live into their teens, bulls are still bucking more bucking babies well past age 10.

Not only is PBR a fantastic production, they really keep rider and bull safety at the forefront. Want to take your little cowpeople to the 25th PBR: Unleash the Beast? Get tickets here and use offer code texas to get special rates on great seats!

Special thanks to Professional Bull Riders for all the information included in this article.

Forgive

Order of the Spur Iraq. Certificate of Acceptance into the Tal Afar Combat Combat Spurs Order Awarded for the completion of a spur ride or combat service in a cavalry unit. Description Gold or silver spurs. Country USA Presented by United States Cavalry Eligibility Military, foreign military and civilian personnel. Status Currently issued First issued Unknown Last issued Ongoing

The Order of the Spur is a cavalry tradition within the US Army. Soldiers serving with cavalry units (referred to as “Troopers”) are inducted into the Spur Order after successfully completing a “spur ride” or having served during combat as a member or with a cavalry unit. A soldier who has earned both silver and gold spurs is known as the “Master Spurholder”. Traditionally, each trooper is presented with spurs by their sponsor at a ceremonial dinner commonly referred to as the “spur dinner”. The spurs are to be worn with the military uniform at squadron or regimental ceremonies and events, or as determined by the commander of the cavalry unit. In some units, gold spurs are awarded for combat initiations, while silver spurs represent completing the spur ride. Within tradition, silver and gold spurs have a similar relationship for cavalry as the Expert Infantryman Badge in US Army Infantry, and the Expert Field Medical Badge and Combat Medical Badge for US Army Medics. The Order of the Spur does not require a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and is open to foreign military personnel serving with US cavalry units.

history [edit]

The tradition of having to “earn your spurs” dates back to the early days of the American cavalry. When green troopers first came to their new cavalry duties, they were assigned a shaved-tailed horse. This led to the nickname “Shave Tail” for newly assigned, spurless soldiers. These new troopers needed extensive training in all aspects of horsemanship. The horse with the shaved tail was given extra room to act as its rider was marked as a novice. New soldiers were given the “Prince of Wales Spurs” because they could abuse or overuse the actual rawel of real spurs and injure the horse. Spurs were only awarded to them when they could demonstrate their ability to perform with horse and saber.

track ride [ edit ]

Barring a wartime enlistment, the Spur Ride is the only way to join the Order of the Spur. Conducting a Spur Ride varies, but it is generally an event spread over several days during which a trooper must pass a series of physical and mental tests relevant to cavalry. Some of the tests assess leadership, technical and tactical prowess, physical fitness, ability to work as part of a team under high levels of stress and fatigue both day and night, although specific tests vary by unit. A written test with questions covering US cavalry and unit history is also often administered. During the trail ride, contestants are often required to recite from memory the traditional cavalry poem “Fiddler’s Green” or other traditions or historical information pertaining to cavalry.

The criteria for participating in the Spur Ride are set by each cavalry unit, usually at squadron level. Many units require demonstrated leadership skills through planning and conducting unit-level training events such as rifle ranges, soldier task training, or other non-commissioned officer and officer-level duties. Some examples of minimum criteria are:[1]

Score at least 270 on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).

Meet AR 600-9 size and weight requirements.

Qualify as “Expert” with a primary weapon (generally an M9 or M16/M4).

Be recommended by a spur keeper to the senior troop/squadron spur keeper

Upon successful completion of the spur ride, new spur holders are welcomed with a formal induction ceremony. The ceremony is a dinner called the Spur Dinner, which often includes other military traditions such as honoring lost comrades, a ceremonial punch[1] (called a grog), and a roll call of the successful candidates. Some units also hold a “Hero’s Breakfast” immediately after the trail ride ends. During breakfast, the unit commander presents a toast welcoming the successful candidates to the Brotherhood before the formal induction ceremony.

Regulations [ edit ]

The U.S. Department of the Army classifies the Order of the Spur as an Army tradition, so the regulations for induction into the Order of the Spur and the wearing of cavalry gear are established by each commander of the cavalry unit. Because there are no army-wide regulations, standards differ from unit to unit, but the tradition remains the same. What follows is an example of a cavalry squadron’s guidelines for wearing Stetsons and Spurs:

Spurs worn on the US Army’s Desert Combat Boots.

Wearing Cavalry Stetson and Spurs 1. Stetson: The Stetson will be black in color. Rank and regimental or ordinary cavalry knife adorn the Stetson. The braid is worn around the base of the Stetson. Soldiers wear the appropriate braid color. Pigtail ends or acorns are at the front of the Stetson and no more than an acorn length above the brim. Crossed sabers are placed on the front of the Stetson. Organization sabers are authorized when assigned or attached to the regiment. Rank is centered 1/8″ from the bottom of the sabers. a. General Officers: Solid Gold b. Field Grade and Company Grade Officers: Gold and Black c. Warrant Officer: (1) CW4, CW5 – Solid Silver (2) WO1, CW2, CW3 – Silver and Black D. Corporal: Yellow (1) The neck strap is passed through the appropriate eyelets in the rim of the Stetson so that the strap goes around the back and the buckle is fastened closed and on the wearer’s head centered (2) The sides of the crown must not be dented or otherwise altered The brim is flat with a slight drop at the front (3) The Stetson is worn on the head (4) Occasions for wearing the Stetson: Squadron dining-ins/outs, formal events in Dress Blues, gatherings of spur wearers, professional gatherings such as AAAA, and any other event or function specified by Saber 6 2. Spurs: Spurs are worn as a matched pair. The Art The number of spurs allowed is set by each unit, but for the most part they are Prince of Wales style spurs. a. Low Quarters: The spurs attach to the shoe midway between the top of the sole and the bottom of the heel along the seam of the shoe. The U-shaped part must encircle the shoe in a way that ensures the row of spurs curves down towards the ground. The strap fastens over the instep of the footwear with the buckle facing the outside of the foot. b. Boots: The spurs are attached to the shoe so that the U-shaped part follows the seam of the ankle support. The strap attaches over the instep of the shoe with the buckles facing the outside of the boot. c. Single Soldiers wear the rowels of their spurs up, while Married Soldiers wear the rowels down. 3. Occasions for Wearing: Spurs and Stetsons are worn at all cavalry events, otherwise they are not worn outside of cavalry footprints. Stetsons and spurs may be authorized by local command but are not authorized for wear at army functions not specifically dedicated to cavalry. Wearing of civilian clothes can be restricted by a local commander, but otherwise the spurs and Stetson can be mixed with civilian clothes if the rank has been removed.

Army Order Department[edit]

SOP for the Order of the Spur and Stetson for the 3d ACR Cav Division

1. Cav Order of the Spur and Stetson SOP

While regulations for the order of the spur are established by each cavalry commander (and therefore do not appear in Army ordinance governing the wear and appearance of uniforms and insignia), the practice falls under what the Army officially recognizes as tradition. The following is from The Soldier’s Guide, October 15, 2003:

TRADITIONS 4-25. Tradition is a common pattern of thought, action, or behavior by an identifiable group of people. It is information, beliefs, and customs that are passed down by word of mouth or example from one generation to the next without written direction. Our military traditions are truly the “Army Way” of acting and thinking. One interesting thing about traditions is that many of our army traditions started out as something very different than what they are today. 4-26 Military tradition is an interesting and often amusing subject. It fills a soldier with pride to understand why we do things the way we do them. Traditions are expressed in the things we do, the uniform we wear and the things we say. Many of the words we use in the Army are unique and have been added to our vocabulary from different parts of the world and at different times in history. 4-27 Army traditions are the things that everyone in the army does everywhere. Unit Traditions are the unique things you do in your unit that other units may or may not do. Some unity traditions are – ceremonial duties. Soldiers from the Old Guard, US 3rd Infantry have been guardians of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since 1948.

The Army Special Forces green berets.

Maroon beret of the airborne units.

Spurs and hats of cavalry units. [bold added] [Added bold] Special designations (authorized unit nicknames) such as Cottonbalers, the 7th Infantry Regiment.

Special items of clothing worn in your unit, such as headgear, belt buckles, and mail boots.

The promotional party.

Unit slogans like “Victory!” or “Send me!”

“Hoah!” This informal but always understood sound is less a word than an audible affirmation of the warrior ethos. The soldier who makes this sound understands his task and will not give up until it is complete. This sound means that the soldiers are ready and willing to complete the mission at hand.

Relation to cavalry Stetson[edit]

Like the Order of the Spur, the Cavalry Stetson is an army tradition and is regulated by the commander of a soldier unit. However, unlike the Order of the Spur, the Cavalry Stetson is typically worn by a trooper immediately upon his assignment to a cavalry unit. While the Cavalry Stetson has similar status to the Order of the Spur, the award and wearing of the Cavalry Stetson for members of the Cavalry is distinct from the award and wearing of spurs. The cord around the Stetson, used in the past to tie the Scout’s horse to an object while the Soldier dismounted. Knots in the string of acorns represented battle. Each half node represented a single combat campaign. After giving two knots on a single Stetson, the wearer became the “SME” (Subject Matter Expert) on the battlefield.

Army 2011 April Fool’s Day [ edit ]

Three of the five photos accompanying the announcement on www.army.mil

On April Fool’s Day 2011, the US Army released a humorous statement that the Army’s official black beret would be replaced with Stetsons. Below is an excerpt from the full announcement:

WASHINGTON, APRIL 1, 2011 — With a fingertip to the brim in American frontier history, the Army is changing hats again – returning to the tumultuous days of horse cavalry in the Wild West and adopting a dark blue Stetson as the official headgear for the current 1, 1 million soldiers. “We expect the Stetson to be popular with the troops,” said Sgt. Maj. Bob S. Stone, president of the Army Uniform Board’s Headgear Task Force. “It’s been a while since we changed the headgear, so it’s about time. Plus, a Stetson is functional and really American.” But in the spirit of the controversial switch from the garrison cap to the black beret, the Army faces opposition from a community deeply opposed to its distinct identity with the Stetson – the Armor branch – to lose. “Why the hell are they doing to us what they did to the snake eaters?” asked an official familiar with the committee’s deliberations. “If you’re not a Cav, you shouldn’t be wearing a Cav hat. That’s just not right.” … The official introduction date of the Stetson by the Army will be April Fool’s Day 2012.[3]

The statement was supplemented by images of soldiers with Stetsons photoshopped over their berets, including an army dog ​​wearing a Stetson.

See also[edit]

References[edit]