Have you ever done something wrong for years and then realized there was an easier way? I wear half chaps and paddock boots most of the time when I ride — they are more comfortable, cooler and less expensive than my tall boots.
Until I started riding Zelda, I never thought much about where the spurs go, because I didn’t ride with them. Freedom does not need spurs. I didn’t even own any spurs. So I’d never thought about whether you should put your spurs over your half chaps or under them.
Just look in all the catalogs. There are dozens of photos of half chaps and boots. None of them show spurs. It must be that none of the catalog riders need them. But Zelda is a nicer horse to ride when you wear spurs. They are not to make her go faster; rather they are to
remind her who is in charge. I don’t wear large spurs, just the Stubben soft touch spurs. They tip the balance of power.
So for the past three years, I’ve been putting on my boots, zipping up my half chaps and then forcing they spurs over the chaps.
Then I read a post online and discovered that most people put their spurs on UNDER their half chaps. Light bulbs went off. I felt dumb. The spurs fit much better, especially as I like to ride in Blundstone boots and they are a bit thicker than my tall boots.
So, what things have you done for years and then discovered a better way of doing them?
