b'By Jim and Bobbi Jeen Olson,WesternTradingPost.comS purs! Are they simply a tool used as a signal between horse and rider?get your child to the doctor, Are they cowboy bling to be shown off and collected? Or perhapsor it can be used in a robbery. instruments of torture? Depending on how they are usedand whoAnd spurs can be used to you talk tothey can be all three. signal a horse or to harm one. It is how the instrument is The history and lineage of spurs is an important place to startand itused that matters and a pair looks a bit like this: People have been using spurs just about as long asof spurs to an experienced they have been riding. We know there are examples from the Celts andrider are useful toolsnot Romans. European horsemen used them widely by the middle ages. Prettyitems of torture.much every horse culture, which also had knowledge of forging metal, used them. They first came across the Atlantic Ocean into the NorthToday, there are numerous American continent in two ways; with the British, who brought them to thecollectors from all parts northeastern part of what is now the United States, and with the Spaniards,of the world who collect who brought them into New Spain or what is now Mexico. The Spanishspurs. To many, they style spur was much larger and more ornate than those used by otherare collectibles or even Europeans, and the lineage of todays Western style spur follow more closelycowboy bling. Some with the Spaniards version. The Spanish-style spur made its way north,spurs carry a pretty high into the American Southwest with the Conquistadores and other explorers.price tag, and they are These expeditions then left behind herdsmen to establish settlements andcollected right along with tend to livestock all across what is now northern Mexico and the Americanmany other forms of Western memorabilia. Among the most southwest. These herdsmen transitioned over time into what eventuallydesirable spurs to an avid collector are antiques that have survived the became known as the Mexican vaqueros. The descendants of these earlytest of time. If they were made by a well-known maker and are appealing settlers were already tending to livestock when the first Americans camevisually (usually mounted with silver), they tend to be more valuable. along and started learning how to ranch on open ranges during the infancyHowever, modern-day cowboys also collect spurs from contemporary of the cowboy era in the 1800s. History tells us the vaquero had a lot ofmakers. It is like a badge of honor to wear a fancy pair of spurs by a sought-influence over early cowboy gearand the spur is no exception. after spur maker. A pair of spurs by a well-known contemporary artisan can often match or exceed the value of a pair made by a famous maker from The very best horseman in the world understands that a pair of spurs is100-plus years ago. It really comes down to the taste of the collector or user. little more than a signaling tool between horse and rider. Vaqueros had become fine horsemen during the couple-hundred-year period betweenThe collectors market remains very strong to this day for quality items and when the Spanish first introduced livestock to the area until the Americansmany spurs are put into collections where they will be on display and never came along and started developing their own ranches. During that time,see actual use again. Who would have thought that a tool used by horsemen a horseback culture had evolved to a level never seen before. It was notfor over 2000 years would evolve into a form of cowboy art? Those Celtic uncommon for a vaquero to be at a level of horsemanship whereby heand Roman blacksmiths would likely be amazed that the simple, almost would show off by removing the bridle from his horse and performingcrude, forms of spurs they used to make would evolve into an art form that difficult maneuvers using nothing more than body signals to guide hiscan nowadays sell for many thousands of dollars! mount. It takes a highly trained animal to perform like this and a pair of spurs is one way signals are passed from rider to horse. If a rider is abusiveFinally, because of the dollar amount commanded by certain spur makers, with spurs, naturally his mount would run off or buck, and not perform at aof course there are folks with low morals who will try to sell an inferior high level of control. So to pair as being one that is highly desirable. Fake hallmarks on spurs are not an expert horseman, a pair uncommon. The best rule is to always deal with reputable sellers and also of spurs is definitely ato educate yourself. Not everyone gets it right all of the time, but an honest signaling tool. seller will not intentionally try to defraud someone and on the rare occasion they get it wrong, they will make it right once the mistake is discovered. On the other hand, a pair ofAlways be cautious of a buyers beware situation when investing your spurs worn by the wrong riderhard-earned money.can be used as an instrument of pain and can be a dangerIn conclusion, collecting spurs can be a fun and interesting adventure.to both the horse and rider.There is a lot to learn and a lot of history will be available to you. New doors Unknowledgeable people lookwill be opened and friendships made. You are encouraged to give it a try! at a pair of spurs (especiallyHappy collecting! ones with large rowels) and imagine the worst. TheyThe very best horseman in the world dont realize that spurs, just like most anything else, can be used for bad or goodunderstands that a pair of spurs depending on the user and application. For example,is little more than a signaling tool a butter knife can be used to butter your bread or tobetween horse and rider.commit murder. A car can 46 October 2022'