How to Build Western Spurs

Horseback riders use spurs for a variety of purposes, including encouraging the horse to move faster or prompting it to step away from the rider's leg to complete a complicated pattern or movement in a competition or out on a ranch. Spurs are meant to be used as a tool, and a high-quality, custom-made spur can be very useful to an experienced rider.

Things You'll Need

  • Pattern
  • Metal or synthetic material
  • Saw
  • Small rotary tool for smoothing rough edges
  • Welder or soldering iron
Show More

Instructions

  1. Western Spurs

    • 1

      Determine what specific kind of spur you want to make. Like horse bits, spurs come in a variety of styles, and each style serves a unique purpose. Some spurs are designed for providing a small or weak-legged rider with the ability to deliver a slightly harder bump than they do with a regular boot heel. Other spurs have been designed to jab or even prompt a horse to buck, in the case of spurs worn by rodeo bronc busters.

    • 2

      Decide what kind of metal you want to use to make your spur. Stainless steel spurs are less likely to change color over time, while iron spurs may rust, and silver spurs can be expected to tarnish.

      You may also want to consider how easy the materials are to work with and how comfortable you will be forming the metal into a spur.

    • 3

      Determine the size of your own heel, with your boot on, so the heel band of your spur will fit your foot properly. Once you have determined the size your spur needs to be, take a piece of your chosen metal and form it into a U shape that will fit your heel comfortably. Remember to leave enough metal at the base of the spur to form the spur's shank. The shank is the long piece of metal connecting the heel band to the rowel. The rowel is the spinning, pointed metal wheel that will actually be used to spur the horse.

    • 4

      Select the length of your shank. The length you select for your spur's shank will depend on the length of your leg and the size and shape of your horse's barrel. The shank of the spur is designed, in length and shape, to allow the rowel to reach the horse's side without the rider having to noticeably change his riding position.

      Form your shank to suit your needs. Your shank should resemble the long bottom part of the letter Y coming off of your heel band.

    • 5

      Select a pattern for your rowel and cut it out of the metal. The rowel should be suited for the purpose for which you intend to use the spur. Some rowels are meant to deliver blunt pressure, while others create a sharp pricking sensation.

    • 6

      Attach your rowel to your spur. Use a small rotary tool to smooth out all rough edges and give the spur a finished look. If you would like, attach a strap to hold the spur firmly on your heel.