The Complete Handbook of Spurs

This is useful reference material if you're starting out with spurs or need to brush up on specs and maintenance. The Chapter 1 explanation of how spurs actually work is solid. My complaint is that the business chapter feels light—I was hoping for more detail on actual profit margins and supplier relationships, not just general categories. Still, for the price it's a practical handbook I'll keep on my shelf.

Finally, a spur book that doesn't read like marketing copy. I appreciated the neutral stance on discipline-specific choices and the clear explanation of shank angle and rowel function. The maintenance chapter alone is worth the cost. My only wish: more detail on the legal and welfare standards that vary by state and country. Otherwise, exactly what I was looking for.

Good fundamentals, but I'm a farrier with 20 years of experience and found some of the material too basic. The selection chapter and troubleshooting section are valuable, but I was hoping for deeper material on custom fitting and specialty applications. The glossary is solid. For a newer rider or someone new to the business, this is exactly right. For a seasoned professional, it's adequate reference work.

Outstanding. This is the reference I've been waiting for. The first chapter alone—explaining the actual mechanics of how a spur communicates and why fit and material matter—is worth the book price. No hype, no marketing speak, just solid instruction. The selection framework and maintenance protocols are practical and clear. I've recommended it to my riding students and to the two other farriers in my practice. This is how reference material should be written.

Solid handbook. The overview chapters are clear and well-organized. I'm using it with new staff at my tack shop to standardize how we advise customers on sizing and material choice. The types and specifications section is particularly helpful for inventory decisions. My only note: the brand chapter could have included more on international suppliers, since we source some product overseas.

I bought this for a specific problem—my horse is sensitive and I was trying to figure out if it was the spur or my technique. Chapter 1 and the troubleshooting section helped me understand the issue. Overall, well-written and practical. I would have appreciated a bit more on the behavioral and welfare side of spur use, though—when a spur helps versus when it masks a training problem. That said, this is a solid technical reference.

Useful for what it is. I'm a Western pleasure rider trying to upgrade my equipment and this book gave me concrete information on shank length and rowel type that I wasn't finding anywhere else. The selection chapter is straightforward. My frustration: it doesn't really address the emotional or philosophical side of spur use, only the technical. For pure reference material it's good, but it reads pretty dry. Still, I'll refer to it.

Exactly what I needed for my consulting work with mounted patrol units. The specifications chapter is precise, the maintenance protocols are clear, and the business landscape overview helped me understand the supplier ecosystem better. The neutral, professional tone is refreshing. This is the kind of resource I'll be recommending to my clients and colleagues. Well done.