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Spur

National Museum of American History

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Object Details

Description
This spur, worn over a riding boot, was made in Mexico in the mid-1800s. Rubbed against the animal's side, spurs are one of the instruments that riders use to direct horses. The spikes on this spur are set on a small wheel called a rowel, making this a rowel spur. Horses and good riding equipment, such as spurs, saddles, stirrups, and leather coverings, played a fundamental role in the European conquest, exploration, and settlement of wide areas of North America. Much of the technique and craftsmanship of riding culture that was found in the American West among both Native Americans and later U.S. settlers was introduced by the Spanish in Mexico within the first century of colonization (1500s). During this period, huge herds of cattle and sheep (both newly introduced species, like horses) flooded the dry grasslands of northern Mexico and were tended by men who would later be called vaqueros—cowboys. The ranching culture that they developed, as well as the ecological destruction that grazing produced, stretched from Texas to California. This economy of raising livestock on the open range was embraced by settlers coming overland from the American East along routes like the Santa Fe, Old Spanish, and Gila trails. To this day, ranching remains a vital economic and cultural force in both the American West and northern Mexico.
Description (Spanish)
Esta espuela, que se llevaba en la parte trasera de las botas de montar, fue fabricada en México a mediados del siglo XIX. Los jinetes dirigían al caballo rozando las espuelas contra el costado del animal. Las espigas de esta espuela sobresalen de una pequeña rueda llamada rodaja, la cual le da al nombre de espuela de rodaja. Los caballos y el buen equipo de montar, como las espuelas, la montura, los estribos y los revestimientos de cuero, desempeñaron un papel fundamental dentro de la conquista, exploración y asentamiento europeo en vastas extensiones de Norteamérica. Muchas de las técnicas y destrezas artesanales relacionadas con la cultura ecuestre que se observan en el oeste americano, tanto entre los americanos nativos como más tarde entre los colonos de Estados Unidos, fueron introducidas por los españoles a México durante el primer siglo de la colonización (S. XVI). A lo largo de este período, erraban por las pasturas secas del norte de México vastas manadas de vacunos y ovinos (especies recientemente introducidas, al igual que el caballo), al cuidado de hombres que luego se denominarían vaqueros. La cultura de hacienda que éstos desarrollaron, paralelamente a la destrucción ecológica que produjo el pastoreo, se extendió desde Texas hasta California. Esta economía sustentada en la ganadería a campo abierto fue adoptada por los colonizadores que llegaban por tierra desde el este por el Camino de Santa Fe, el Camino Español de Los Ángeles y el Camino del Diablo. Hasta el día de hoy, la ganadería continúa siendo de vital importancia económica y cultural tanto en el oeste americano como en norte de México.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of J. G. Develing
1840 - 1860
ID Number
CL.004841
catalog number
4841
accession number
2007.0144
Object Name
spur
Physical Description
iron (spur material)
leather (part material)
Measurements
overall: 9 in x 4 3/4 in x 4 15/16 in; 22.86 cm x 12.065 cm x 12.5001 cm
place made
Mexico
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Ethnic
Clothing & Accessories
Cultures & Communities
Mexican America
Agriculture
Title (Spanish)
Espuela
National Museum of American History
subject
Horseback Riding
Western Wear
Horses
Latino
Record ID
nmah_675091
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-a24f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

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