4 Legs & a Tail Spring 2022 LK

Page 42

“Yippee-ki-iy-ay

He shouts and he sings

When a cowboy trades his spurs for wings” (When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs)

40 4 Legs & a Tail

Earning your Spurs Sue Miller - Sharon, VT

I

feel spurred to write about the equestrian equipment known as spurs. (Sorry for the pun) I recently picked up three different publications that mentioned: “earning your spurs” in riding. As a young rider, I often heard the term, “earning your spurs”. I admit that as a young impressionable rider I wondered when that day would be. I think I mistakenly believed that one of my riding instructors would one day say, “That’s it, you’re doing great! Today you’ve earned your spurs!” Or something to that effect. The sad reality is, no one presents you with spurs and deems you a worthy rider. You have to make that decision on your own. Unless you’re in the cavalry. Many traditions in horseback riding come from the military. Such as leading and mounting the horse from the left-hand side so a soldier could navigate around their saber. It should come as no surprise that the term, “earning your spurs” also comes from the military. It

originally started in days of yore with chivalrous knights. Gold or gilded spurs were only worn by knights or royalty. Spurs were a symbol of a knight’s status. Spurs became an integral symbol of chivalry and were one of the tokens given during a knighting. It’s believed that this practice is the origin of the term “earning your spurs.” The cavalry, a division of the United States Army also has an “earning your spurs” challenge that tests one’s mettle over a grueling contest that can take 3 days to complete. One is awarded spurs for completion of a spur ride or combat service in a cavalry unit. A trooper is tested performing such tasks as operations, call for fire, first aid, medical evacuation, communications proficiency, and individual movement techniques. Upon successful completion of this series of mental, physical, and leadership tests, a trooper will be awarded silver spurs. Troopers who have earned both silver and gold spurs are known as “Master Spur Holder.” The Gold Spurs, often referred to as “Combat Spurs” are awarded to Troopers during their combat deployments. The dictionary defines the term as: To have shown that you are capable of doing something well and that you can be relied on to do it well in the future. In reality, YOU decide in horseback riding when you’ve earned your spurs. Early spurs were simply a tool for armies to guide their horses with their legs, while leaving their hands free to fight. While we no longer have to wield swords while astride, the goal in most riding classes is to ride effortlessly off the leg, just like the ancient cavalry riders had to do. A spur has a more precise point of contact with a horse’s side than a heel or leg aid, they can offer more precision of control of a horse’s movements. A well-trained horse will learn to move off the subtle pressure of a spur, which can save time and effort for the rider. A misconception of spurs is that they are worn to make the horse go faster. If that were the case you would see jockeys wearing them in horse races. Spurs are an aid to help elevate your horse into your hand and engage their hindquarters. Used correctly with finesse spurs can help to get lift, collection, and a nice frame. Spring 2022


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Is Dog Composting Safe?

2min
page 60

A Sibling Encounter

1min
page 61

Is Your Cat Tracking You? Andy Corbley

2min
page 59

Therapy Animals and Their Healing

3min
page 58

A Modern-Day Superhero Karen Sturtevant

4min
pages 56-57

The Case of the Dog With Holes in His

4min
pages 54-55

Great Chicken Breeds for Kids

10min
pages 47-49

Rats, Bats, and Skunks Scott Borthwick

2min
page 53

The Common Loon: The Iconic New

4min
page 52

10 Convincing Reasons Why You Should

3min
pages 50-51

A Tap on the Shoulder Dorothy Crosby

5min
pages 44-46

The Seasons of Puppyhood Paula Bergeron Why experiencing behavioral changes in your puppy is normal

5min
pages 28-29

Earning your Spurs Sue Miller Ever wonder where this term came from?

5min
pages 42-43

A Cautionary Tale Jeffrey Reel

9min
pages 38-41

Spring Has Sprung Ingrid Braulini Some great

6min
pages 34-35

Nutritional Needs of Puppies

2min
pages 32-33

Veterinary Accreditation Catherine MacLean, DVM What to look for when you're looking for a vet

3min
pages 36-37

Spotting & Soothing Separation Anxiety

4min
pages 30-31

They are English bulldogs Karen Sturtevant

8min
pages 24-27

Why does it cost so much to adopt a pet from a shelter? Susan Tarczewski

5min
pages 8-9

Three Happy Tails: Examples of how the future of animal sheltering is moving towards a need for more complex medical care Jacques Du Preez

6min
pages 5-7

Dexter’s Tale to Become a Film A

5min
pages 18-19

Celebrate National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day

7min
pages 20-23

Willow, America's new first cat, joins the Biden White House Doug Cunningham

1min
page 11

The History of the Domestic Cat How long have domesticated cats been around?

7min
pages 14-17

Pet Vaccines: Schedules for Cats and Dogs

0
pages 12-13

A Busy Year at Windham County Humane Society

2min
page 10
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