Rowel vs. Spur — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 18, 2024
A rowel is the small, rotating wheel with points on a spur, whereas a spur is the metal tool worn on a rider's heel to prompt a horse to move.
Difference Between Rowel and Spur
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A rowel is a small, spiked wheel found on a spur, designed to rotate as the spur makes contact with the horse. It is typically made of metal and can vary in the number of points or teeth. The rowel's purpose is to provide a more nuanced cue to the horse, offering different levels of pressure depending on how it is used. A spur, on the other hand, is a broader term referring to the entire tool attached to a rider's boot heel. Spurs are used by riders to communicate with their horses, providing gentle or firm cues to encourage movement or direction. Spurs can come in various designs, but they commonly include a heel band, a shank, and a rowel or blunt end for contact.
While the rowel is a specific component of some types of spurs, designed for rotational contact, the spur itself encompasses the complete tool used in riding. The presence of a rowel can differentiate types of spurs, influencing how the horse responds to the rider's cues.
Spurs without rowels might have a simple blunt end or knob, used for more straightforward pressure. Rowels, by adding a rotational element, can provide varied tactile feedback to the horse, making them suitable for more precise control in riding disciplines.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Small, rotating wheel with points on a spur
Metal tool worn on rider's heel
Purpose
Provides nuanced cues to the horse
Communicates movement or direction to horse
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Structure
Part of a spur, usually metal and spiked
Includes heel band, shank, and end (rowel or blunt)
Variations
Different number of points or teeth
Various designs with or without rowels
Function in Riding
Enhances control with rotational contact
Offers gentle or firm cues for movement
Compare with Definitions
Rowel
A spiked wheel enhancing the effectiveness of a spur.
Different rowels can be used for different riding disciplines.
Spur
A metal tool worn on a rider's heel to prompt a horse.
He used his spur lightly to encourage the horse to trot.
Rowel
A small, rotating wheel with points found on a spur.
The rowel on his spur had twelve sharp points.
Spur
A piece of riding equipment that may include a rowel or blunt end.
Her spurs had rounded ends to avoid hurting the horse.
Rowel
A component of a spur used to provide nuanced cues.
She replaced the worn rowel to ensure better communication with her horse.
Spur
An aid worn by riders to give cues to their horse.
The knight’s spurs clinked as he walked towards his steed.
Rowel
A rotating part that helps deliver precise signals to a horse.
The cowboy preferred rowels with fewer, blunter points for gentle nudges.
Spur
A tool for providing tactile signals to a horse during riding.
Using the spurs properly required skill and sensitivity.
Rowel
A sharp-toothed wheel inserted into the end of the shank of a spur.
Spur
A spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of riding boots for the purpose of directing a horse or other animal to move forward or laterally while riding. It is usually used to refine the riding aids (commands) and to back up the natural aids (the leg, seat, hands, and voice).
Rowel
The small spiked wheel on the end of a spur.
Spur
A device with a small spike or a spiked wheel that is worn on a rider's heel and used for urging a horse forward.
Rowel
A little flat ring or wheel on a horse's bit.
Spur
A thing that prompts or encourages someone; an incentive
Wars act as a spur to practical invention
Rowel
A roll of hair, silk, etc., passed through the flesh of a horse in the manner of a seton in human surgery.
Spur
A projection from a mountain or mountain range
It's an easy walk up the spur that leads to the summit
Rowel
(transitive) To use a rowel on (something), especially to drain fluid.
Spur
A small, single-pointed support for ceramic ware in a kiln.
Rowel
(transitive) To fit with spurs.
Spur
Urge (a horse) forward by digging one's spurs into its sides
She spurred her horse towards the hedge
Rowel
(transitive) To apply the spur to.
To rowel a horse
Spur
Give an incentive or encouragement to (someone)
Her sons' passion for computer games spurred her on to set up a software business
Rowel
To incite; to goad.
Spur
Prune in (a side shoot of a plant) so as to form a spur close to the stem
Spur back the lateral shoots
Rowel
The little wheel of a spur, with sharp points.
With sounding whip, and rowels dyed in blood.
Spur
A short spike or spiked wheel that attaches to the heel of a rider's boot and is used to urge a horse forward.
Rowel
A little flat ring or wheel on horses' bits.
The iron rowels into frothy foam he bit.
Spur
An incentive
A spur to action.
Rowel
A roll of hair, silk, etc., passed through the flesh of horses, answering to a seton in human surgery.
Spur
A spinelike process on the leg of some birds.
Rowel
To insert a rowel, or roll of hair or silk, into (as the flesh of a horse).
Spur
A climbing iron; a crampon.
Rowel
A small spiked wheel at the end of a spur
Spur
A gaff attached to the leg of a gamecock.
Rowel
A metal wheel that rotates to reduce friction.
The rowel turned smoothly as he applied it to the horse’s side.
Spur
A short or stunted branch of a tree.
Spur
A bony outgrowth or protuberance.
Spur
A lateral ridge projecting from a mountain or mountain range.
Spur
An oblique reinforcing prop or stay of timber or masonry.
Spur
(Botany) A tubular or saclike extension of the corolla or calyx of a flower, as in a columbine or larkspur.
Spur
An ergot growing on rye.
Spur
A spur track.
Spur
To urge (a horse) on by the use of spurs.
Spur
To incite or stimulate
"A business tax cut is needed to spur industrial investment" (New York Times).
Spur
To ride quickly by spurring a horse.
Spur
A rigid implement, often roughly y-shaped, that is fixed to one's heel for the purpose of prodding a horse. Often worn by, and emblematic of, the cowboy or the knight.
Spur
A jab given with the spurs.
Spur
(figurative) Anything that inspires or motivates, as a spur does a horse.
Spur
An appendage or spike pointing rearward, near the foot, for instance that of a rooster.
Spur
Any protruding part connected at one end, for instance a highway that extends from another highway into a city.
Spur
Roots, tree roots.
Spur
(geology) A mountain that shoots from another mountain or range and extends some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.
Spur
A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale to strip off the blubber.
Spur
(carpentry) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, such as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.
Spur
(architecture) The short wooden buttress of a post.
Spur
(architecture) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage.
Spur
Ergotized rye or other grain.
Spur
A wall in a fortification that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.
Spur
(shipbuilding) A piece of timber fixed on the bilgeways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side.
Spur
(shipbuilding) A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam cannot be placed.
Spur
(mining) A branch of a vein.
Spur
(rail transport) A very short branch line of a railway line.
Spur
(transport) A short branch road of a motorway, freeway or major road.
Spur
(botany) A short thin side shoot from a branch, especially one that bears fruit or, in conifers, the shoots that bear the leaves.
Spur
A tern.
Spur
(electronics) A spurious tone, one that interferes with a signal in a circuit and is often masked underneath that signal.
Spur
(transitive) To prod (especially a horse) on the side or flank, with the intent to urge motion or haste, to gig.
Spur
(transitive) To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object
Spur
(transitive) To put spurs on.
To spur boots
Spur
(intransitive) To press forward; to travel in great haste.
Spur
To form a spur senses 17-18 of the noun
Spur
A sparrow.
Spur
An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs were the badge of knighthood.
And on her feet a pair of spurs large.
Spur
That which goads to action; an incitement.
Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise(That last infirmity of noble mind)To scorn delights and live laborious days.
Spur
Something that projects; a snag.
Spur
One of the large or principal roots of a tree.
Spur
Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs of certain birds, on the legs of insects, etc.; especially, the spine on a cock's leg.
Spur
A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.
Spur
A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to strip off the blubber.
Spur
A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.
Spur
The short wooden buttress of a post.
Spur
Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a spur.
Spur
A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.
Spur
A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side.
Spur
A branch of a vein.
Spur
The track of an animal, as an otter; a spoor.
Spur
To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to urge or goad; as, to spur a horse.
Spur
To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to instigate; to impel; to drive.
Love will not be spurred to what it loathes.
Spur
To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot.
Spur
To spur on one's horse; to travel with great expedition; to hasten; hence, to press forward in any pursuit.
The Parthians shall be there,And, spurring from the fight, confess their fear.
The roads leading to the capital were covered with multitudes of yeomen, spurring hard to Westminster.
Some bold men, . . . by spurring on, refine themselves.
Spur
A verbalization that encourages you to attempt something;
The ceaseless prodding got on his nerves
Spur
Any pointed projection
Spur
Tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers
Spur
A sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a horse onward;
Cowboys know not to squat with their spurs on
Spur
A railway line connected to a trunk line
Spur
Incite or stimulate;
The Academy was formed to spur research
Spur
Give heart or courage to
Spur
Strike with a spur
Spur
Goad with spurs;
The rider spurred his horse
Spur
Equip with spurs;
Spur horses
Spur
A device for directing and controlling a horse’s movement.
The spurs were decorated with intricate designs.
Common Curiosities
Do all spurs have rowels?
No, not all spurs have rowels; some have blunt ends or knobs instead.
What is the primary function of a spur?
The primary function of a spur is to communicate with and direct a horse by applying pressure.
Can rowels be replaced on spurs?
Yes, rowels can often be replaced if they become worn or if different types are needed for specific riding disciplines.
What materials are rowels typically made from?
Rowels are typically made from metal, such as steel or brass.
What is a rowel on a spur?
A rowel is a small, rotating spiked wheel on a spur used to give nuanced cues to a horse.
Are rowels sharp?
Rowels can be sharp or blunt, depending on their design and intended use.
How should rowels be maintained?
Rowels should be kept clean and free of rust, and they should rotate smoothly.
How does a rowel benefit riding?
A rowel benefits riding by providing more precise and varied tactile feedback to the horse.
What determines the severity of a rowel?
The number of points and the sharpness of a rowel determine its severity.
What are spurs used for in riding?
Spurs are used to give cues to the horse, encouraging movement or direction changes.
How are spurs attached to boots?
Spurs are attached to boots via a heel band that wraps around the rider's heel.
Can spurs harm a horse?
If used improperly, spurs can cause discomfort or harm, but when used correctly, they are a valuable communication tool.
Do different riding disciplines prefer specific spur designs?
Yes, different riding disciplines often have preferred spur designs to suit their specific needs and techniques.
Are there different types of spurs?
Yes, there are various types of spurs, including those with rowels, blunt ends, and specialized designs for different riding styles.
Are spurs necessary for all riders?
Spurs are not necessary for all riders; their use depends on the rider's experience and the type of riding.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
