Instructions
Keep your reins loose. If you have not ridden a spur stop-trained horse before, this can feel unusual but you are substituting your legs for the reins in guiding the horse. Using both at the same time will confuse your horse and likely lead to a lot of stopping and starting that will not be comfortable for you or your horse.
Keep you weight shifted slightly back and off the horse's shoulders.
Pivot your feet slightly out so that the spur of your heel is within a few inches of the horse's side and your toes are pointed outwards. Remember that the spur is not to gouge the horse and is only used as a gentle guide.
Position your rein hand in front of the saddle horn. You shouldn't need to move your hands from that area since your legs will be doing the directing for the horse.
Practice stopping and turning the horse slowly using your spurs before you try to guide the horse at higher speed. Traditional riders may take some time to get used to the feeling of loose reins and using the legs to guide.
Lightly brush the inside of your thigh against the side of the horse to elicit forward movement. Repeat the motion to up the gait to a jog. Keep the spurs within an inch of the horse's skin so you can give gentle directions quickly. A left or right tab should cause your horse to turn.
Gently lean back slightly and touch the sides of the horse with both spurs to command a stop. Leg pressure on both sides should cause a slowdown while the spurs themselves will mark a stop command.
How to Ride a Horse That Is Trained With a Spur Stop
Horses are well-known for their intelligence and their beauty. Horse enthusiasts use horses in a variety of ways, such as riding, racing, training and showing. One training technique is called the spur stop. The spur stop is when a horse is trained to slow down its motion or come to a stop by using the spurs into the side of the horse instead of pulling back on the reins. A highly trained horse will not require spurs and will respond with regular heels to the sides. Riding a spur stop-trained horse is easy if you are a trained and experienced rider.