What does “Don’t squat with your spurs on” mean?

My friend e-mailed me a couple days ago a dozen of cowboys’ proverbs included in the book titled, “Don’t squat with your spurs on” by Texas Bix Bender.

Though I presume this proverb (Don’t squat with your spurs on) admonishes not to do everything impetuously, I can’t figure out what’s wrong with squatting spurs on, as I’m utterly ignorant of cowboys, horse, riding boots, spurs, et cetera.

The question may look naive to you, most Americans, but I don’t honestly understand the "figurative" meaning of the phrase.

Does it mean projections of spurs can hurt you when you squat inadvertently with spurs on?

I was unable to find out a concrete answer in Google Search, though I find the phrase in a row as a heading.


Solution 1:

These are boots with spurs attached:

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You might see how squatting while wearing them could inflict damage on oneself.

"Don't squat with your spurs on" is another way of saying Don't do something without thinking; it's dumb, and could bite you in the ass. All for want of a slight consideration of your circumstances.

This man is kneeling, not squatting; you can get away with kneeling.

Solution 2:

A spur is a sharp object used to "encourage" e.g. animals, to run faster.

Squatting on a spur would have a similar effect as say, sitting on thumbtacks.

It's not something you want to do unless you are interested in giving yourself the "encouragement" sometimes meted out to animals.