| A basic pair of cowboy spurs are made from | | | | Neck is used to support the next part of the spur |
| metal, usually iron and can be identified using | | | | and is primarily for digging into the steed to gain |
| different names or terms for each of the parts | | | | control. |
| of the spur. Although the spur is mostly one solid | | | | The wheel, disc or star at the end of the Neck is |
| piece, each part has a name and this information | | | | called the Rowel. This circular shaped piece of |
| can be useful when attempting to identify spurs | | | | metal is usually made from iron and is fastened to |
| or purchase them from online auction. | | | | the neck in the middle, allowing it to rotate. The |
| The largest part of the spur is the Heel Band or | | | | Rowel is also usually pointed in some way which |
| Yoke. This is the U shaped piece of the spur that | | | | will add to the riders ability to guide his horse, but |
| curves around the rear of your boot so that the | | | | without causing too much pain or damage at the |
| spur can protrude out from your heel. The Yoke | | | | same time. The Rowel can be a simple flat disc |
| (also sometimes known as a shank) should fit | | | | design or a many pointed star shape depending |
| snugly against the boot and then be fastened | | | | on the age of the spurs and also where they |
| using either a leather strap which goes across the | | | | were made. Spanish and Mexican spurs favor a |
| bridge of the foot or 2 chains, one underneath | | | | larger, more flamboyant Rowel, where as a set |
| the boot and one over the top. At the ends of | | | | of English Riding Spurs have no Rowel at all. |
| the yoke. there will be a button on each side | | | | There are also spurs known as Jingle Bob spurs |
| where the strap can be fastened and tightened. | | | | where the center hole of the rowel is larger than |
| The part that sticks out at the rear is called the | | | | the pin which causes it to rattle and "jingle" whilst |
| Neck or Shank. This part of the spur is usually | | | | being worn. Also, Jingle Bob Spurs may have a |
| straight, but there are spurs known as goose | | | | small chain or dangling item which rubs against the |
| neck spurs where the Neck is more curved. The | | | | spokes of the Rowel to make the jingle noise. |