 Attached to the rider's heel by straps, spurs could be used both to encourage horses to quickly move forward or to direct lateral movement.Early spurs had a short shanks or "neck", placing the rowel relatively close to the rider's heel; further developments in the spur shape lengthened the neck, making it easier to touch the horse with less leg movement on the part of the rider.A significant development which increased the importance and use of horses in harness, particularly for ploughing and other farm work, was the horse collar.