They certainly can if used incorrectly. They are meant to be used as a cue on the trained horses side. Never jabbed, just pressed.
Well trained horses have been taught that pressure on different areas means different things, move the shoulders, move the hindquarters etc.
The spurs are an aid to make the pressure more precise.
All three! Shoot, I had the strangest "night." I was awake for about an hour, 4 different times! That was out of a 12 hour time period - ugh!
The first one, about the clouds -- ya know, I am just now watching a travel video and thought ... I wonder if the hills ever look down at us and think, "that one there, looks like an ...
Mostly, it's just going out there in the open and risking being seen, @valley ranch .
I slipped on the ice walking beside the pickup, yesterday. I was carrying the snow shovel and using it as a cane until I lifted it up to knee height, just 2 steps before I slipped. I thought it had to be silly looking that as soon as I was not as careful, I nearly did the splits! I laughed to myself .
Then, it occurred to me how I react when I actually fall! Embarrassing to admit, I am immediately angry . If I was a kid of 5, I'd probably throw a tantrum ... Actually, I am kind of throwing a tantrum as an olde guy . It's probably more hilarious for the neighbors, birds, clouds, and nearby hills to see than a casual and uneventful slip.