Spurs & Strapping
Need spurs, spur straps or screw-in studs? Short answer: most riders adding spurs for the first time do best with a gentle rounded design — the Shires Ball End Spurs (£16.20) or soft-contact Whitaker Soft Touch Nylon Spurs (£10.87) — paired with simple leather straps like the Shires Blenheim Leather Spur Straps (from £5.40). This collection of around 172 products covers everything from budget nylon straps to precision-made German Sprenger spurs, plus screw-in studs for grip on every type of going.
In a hurry? Start here:
- Spur straps from £1.96 — Harlequin Nylon Spur Straps
- Spurs from £10.79 — Korsteel P.O.W. Never Rust Spurs with straps included (childs and ladies sizes in stock)
- Roller-ball spurs from £16.53 — KM Elite Stainless Rollerball Spurs
- Dressage spurs — Korsteel Long Neck Dressage Spurs with Straps, £29.69
- Premium pick — Sprenger Ultra Fit 30mm No Rowel, £43.90
- Screw-in studs from £5.70 — Liveryman Studs Large 5-pack
Which spurs should I choose?
| You need | Good pick | Why | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| A first pair of spurs | Shires Ball End Spurs (Adults) | Rounded end gives a soft, forgiving contact | £16.20 |
| The gentlest option going | Whitaker Spurs Soft Touch Nylon | Nylon body softens the cue even further | £10.87 |
| A kind cue for a sensitive horse | KM Elite Stainless Rollerball Spurs | The ball rolls across the side rather than pressing | £16.53 |
| Extra-soft rubber contact | Premier Equine Rubber Covered Roller Ball Spurs | Rubber-covered roller for sensitive-sided horses | £30.60 |
| Precise flatwork cues | Korsteel Long Neck Dressage Spurs with Straps | 40mm neck reaches the horse's side with less leg movement | £29.69 |
| A refined, competition-quality spur | Sprenger Ultra Fit 30mm No Rowel | Precision German-made stainless steel | £43.90 |
| Spurs for a child | Korsteel P.O.W. Never Rust Spurs (20mm Childs) | Short neck, straps included | £10.79 |
| Grip on wet going | Premier Equine Studs for wet, deep, boggy ground (Set of 4) | Screw-in studs sized for soft conditions | £10.80 |
What's the difference between ball-end, roller-ball and Prince of Wales spurs?
Ball-end spurs finish in a smooth rounded knob, giving the softest fixed contact — the usual recommendation for riders new to spurs. In-stock options run from the Shires Ball End Spurs in adults and childs sizes (both £16.20) up to the plastic-ended Shires Plastic Ball End Spurs (£25.20). Roller-ball spurs replace the fixed end with a rotating ball that rolls over the horse's side instead of rubbing — popular for sensitive or thin-skinned horses. Choose from the KM Elite Stainless Rollerball (£16.53), Korsteel Roller Ball (£23.39), Shires Roller Ball (£23.40) or Premier Equine's stainless steel version (£27.00). Prince of Wales spurs have a flat, slightly angled end that gives a clearer, more defined cue — the Whitaker Prince Of Wales spurs are £23.61. At the top end, Sprenger spurs are made in Germany to very fine tolerances: the Ultra Fit 30mm No Rowel is £43.90 and the Ultra Fit Vertical Comfort Roller 25mm is £69.90.
Which spur straps do I need?
Any spur with strap slots takes a standard spur strap, so it mostly comes down to material and look. Nylon straps are the budget workhorse — Harlequin Nylon (£1.96), Lorina Nylon (£3.77). Leather straps look smarter for lessons and competition: Windsor Spur Straps (£4.48), Shires Blenheim Leather (childs £5.40, adults £7.20), LeMieux Spur Straps in 16" and 18" lengths (£8.95) and Premier Equine Leather (£8.10). Fancy something with sparkle? The Hy Equestrian Diamante Spur Straps in brown/rose gold are £6.62, and patent straps like the Premier Equine Patent Leather (£11.70) add gloss for the dressage arena.
Why are horse studs in this collection?
Screw-in studs thread into your horse's shoes to give extra grip when jumping, eventing or hacking on slippery going — they sit alongside spurs here because both are small metal essentials riders tend to buy together before competition season. Match the stud to the ground: pointed or sharp studs bite into hard, dry surfaces (Liveryman Studs Pointed 5-pack £7.08, Stromsholm Diamond Hard Ground High Stud £8.39), larger square studs suit soft or muddy going (Liveryman Studs Large 5-pack £5.70, Stromsholm Diamond Soft Ground Studs £9.08, Premier Equine wet/boggy ground set £10.80), and road studs give low-profile grip for hacking on tarmac (Stromsholm Diamond Road Studs £9.08). Yards getting through a lot of studs can buy Stromsholm screw-ins in boxes of 50 (Type TSL £38.86, Type EL £55.87).
How should spurs fit and sit?
The spur branches should hug the heel of your riding boot with the neck pointing slightly downwards, sitting on the boot's spur rest if it has one. Ladies and gents versions differ in width — ladies spurs are narrower to suit slimmer boot heels — so pick the size that matches your boots, not your height. Fasten the strap with the buckle on the outside of the boot and the loose end pointing down and back. Spurs are a refining aid, not an accelerator: they belong on riders with a steady, independent lower leg, and shorter, rounder designs are the sensible starting point. If you compete, check your discipline's current rulebook before buying, as permitted spur types vary. Not sure? Get in touch and our team will help.
Spurs & strapping FAQs
Are spurs suitable for beginners?
Spurs are best introduced once a rider has a secure, independent lower leg, ideally on an instructor's advice. If you're ready, start with a short, rounded design such as the Shires Ball End Spurs (£16.20) or the soft-contact Whitaker Soft Touch Nylon spurs (£10.87), which give the gentlest possible cue.
Which way round do spur straps go?
Thread the strap through both slots so the buckle sits on the outside of your boot, with the loose end of the strap pointing downwards and towards the back. The spur neck should angle slightly down, never up. Most straps in this collection, like the Shires Blenheim Leather Spur Straps (from £5.40), fit any standard slotted spur.
What is the difference between ladies and gents spurs?
The width of the branches. Ladies spurs are narrower to fit slimmer boot heels; gents spurs are wider. Choose by how the spur fits your boot heel rather than by who is wearing it — a snug fit that doesn't slide around is what matters. Ranges like the Shires Roller Ball Spurs (£23.40) come in both fittings at the same price.
Can children wear spurs?
Yes, where a child's leg is steady enough and their instructor agrees. Short-necked childs designs are made for this: the Korsteel P.O.W. Never Rust Spurs in 20mm childs size come with straps for £10.79, and the Shires Ball End Spurs childs version is £16.20. Pair with childs-length straps such as the Shires Blenheim in childs size (£5.40).
Which studs should I use for different ground?
As a rule of thumb: small pointed studs for hard, dry ground (Liveryman Pointed 5-pack, £7.08), bigger square studs for soft or muddy going (Liveryman Large 5-pack, £5.70; Premier Equine wet/boggy set, £10.80), and low-profile road studs for hacking on tarmac (Stromsholm Diamond Road Studs, £9.08). Always remove studs after riding and ask your farrier to fit stud holes.
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Last reviewed 2026-07-19 by the Just Horse Riders team.