We always wear spurs except on young horses just starting out. Why is it mean to wear spurs? For heavens sake, you aren't hurting the horse, you are cueing it.
Well, I will admit I didn't use them on my old mare but she was very good with leg or heal pressure and the one time I did ride with spurs (forgot I even had them on) she bucked. She was always a real problem for my husband if he rode her because he will not ride without spurs (except for the babies) and she really disliked them. She may have been hurt with spurs in her previous life before I got her.
Well, I have seen some people who DO poke holes in a horse with them, or raise big goose eggs on the horse. IMO, a few times when it wasn't even necessary. It's what I/we refer to around here as the "cowboy" way:)
Becky