Eventers: Studs?

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Cash

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Hiya
Please can you tell me about your attitude to studs- whether you use them or not, and if not, why? If you do, what do you generally do for each phase (only hinds/fronts, all round, one in each, 2 in each etc)- I know it is obviously dependant on individual horses, courses, going etc but am interested really, I don't know much about studs other than that putting them on polo ponies is a pain, as is getting kicked by a horse with them in. ;)

Thanks
 
I always use studs 2 in each foot. Saying that they are quite small particularly in front and nothing huge behind. Never worth a slip up not to use them.
 
Hi, I have one hole in each foot on the outside. I use small ones in front and dome studs in the back. These vary in size depending on the ground. I would not want to work on grass without studs in. :D
 
One on the outside of each foot. I have grass (square with a point), very muddy (big domes), a bit muddy (domed squares), very hard (thin and pointy) and a bit hard (square with a longer point). They all have tungsten cores and tips. I don't change between phases unless the ground is wildly different.
 
always. 2 in each front shoe, never huge, rarely pointy unless the ground is v hard in which case i rarely run anyway.
hinds - either 1 or 2, varies depending on horse's action. size and shape depending on ground conditions.
always Supastuds, i won't waste my time with anything else now!
i use WD40-soaked Swann roll-up ciggie filter tips for filling the stud holes, they are utterly brilliant little foam tubes that fit perfectly much better than faffing with cotton wool!
 
kerilli said:
always. 2 in each front shoe, never huge, rarely pointy unless the ground is v hard in which case i rarely run anyway.
hinds - either 1 or 2, varies depending on horse's action. size and shape depending on ground conditions.
always Supastuds, i won't waste my time with anything else now!
i use WD40-soaked Swann roll-up ciggie filter tips for filling the stud holes, they are utterly brilliant little foam tubes that fit perfectly much better than faffing with cotton wool!
Click to expand...
Thanks Kerilli that is really useful. At risk of sounding stupid, hope you don't mind me asking a silly question but when you say one or two in hinds depending on action- do you mean eg if the horse moved close behind you would avoid studding on the inside?

Yes have come across the roll up filters before, because as you can imagine there are plenty to be found around the average polo yard ;) I've been one of the unfortunates faffing with vaseline-y cotton wool previously, but bought a stud kit which arrived today so now I have some of the rubber plug things :cool: Faffing no more
 
no, watching the horse led, from behind, whether it's one who twists his hind feet as he leaves the stance phase. if he does, 1 stud (to reduce shearing forces on the joints, fetlock particularly), if he doesn't (lifts it straight, no twisting) then 2 studs, to keep the foot as balanced as possible.
pay off either way...
 
I always use them at events- IMO it is just an extra precaution/aid to help the horse so why wouldn't you? I use one on each hoof on the outside, they are horrible and fiddly but they get easier each time! :)
 
I rarely use studs, only when the ground is really slippery, but I only do Intro/Pre Novice... My horse goes alot better with out them...
 
I almost always stud to work on grass. I'm not *quite* as precious about it on my VERY balanced sure footed 14.2 arab but will still generaly go with one small stud in outside of each foot or at very minimum hinds (eg at aston last weekend just did hinds as going was lovely)
Big youngster will be studded all round every time he works on grass for XC course, or SJ or dressage. He's getting first set of stud holes in 10 days (only been shod behind for first time 5 weeks ago) and we have done some xc schooling without but been very aware of not taking sharp corners etc. Need to get one of those supastuds flat tap spanners tho as he is not as good with holding hind legs up as older horse and paranoid about putting foot down on spanner!
 
This was a really useful thread thanks for starting. Do people replug studd at an event or not bother and wait till they get home ???
 
well - we usually have 2 studs in each foot - but farrier only put one in at last shoeing so went round alw with one in each foot apart from one where the thread has disappeared for some odd reason! However, at next shoeing will definitely get two in each foot as she feels better on her feet like that :) Depends on ground, but usually mum does the studs for me and i tack up and boot up etc.

Always re-plugg at events, so much easier and she usually stands in her poo making it disgusting to do at home!

Great thread!
 
Always use them if all 3 phases on grass.
2 in each foot. Particularly vital for dressage I find - a 40 by 20 grass arena on a big young horse can be like an ice rink! I have noticed slips more in dressage than the other two phases.
Studs use depend on ground conditions - I tend not to go too big and yes always replug at the event.
 
kerilli said:
no, watching the horse led, from behind, whether it's one who twists his hind feet as he leaves the stance phase. if he does, 1 stud (to reduce shearing forces on the joints, fetlock particularly), if he doesn't (lifts it straight, no twisting) then 2 studs, to keep the foot as balanced as possible.
pay off either way...
Click to expand...

Ahh, I see. that makes a lot of sense. thanks
 
I have did some BE events without studs then with studs last year and my horse went so much better with! We work on grass all the time at home so he is pretty good on grass anyways, so I only use small studs as I have paranoia about him catching himself.

Thanks for the cig filter tip- I had thought about doing that but not sure they would work! Must buy some. :)
 
Interesting stuff. I have to stay that studding is my least favourite activity when competing (just worse than plaiting). I stud only on outside of hind legs as I have had horses catch themselves with studs inside. I tend not to use them for dressage as I'm worried about unbalancing her action. If I do, it's only a very small stud with a tungsten centre tip. If I think the conditions are such that I need the big heavy weather studs, I don't go! I always take the studs out before travelling home as they can ruin the rubber matting in my lorry, and get worn down on the concrete surface when we get home. I use either the white stud plugs or sheep's wool which is very oily and keeps the stud holes in good condition for the next time. Occasionally I have trouble with the ready made holes in shoes not being the right size and then no matter what you do, you can't get the studs in! Now I get my farrier to check the holes for me when he is fitting new shoes.

Good luck to everyone for the season!
 
i always use one in each foot, love the supastuds but i understand if (according to my farrier) used alot can become over treaded i think,,,ive never had any probs but then at max only event twice a month!! i (after seeing a friends young horse after he studded himself on the inside with an inside stud,, torn skin etc) , never use two studs on my young horses i only have one in each foot on the outside!!
 
I don't event I SJ but here is my view anyway...I always stud on grass and on particular surfaces at certain shows. I use two in each foot as the foot is more balanced that way. The boots mine wear behind are quite thick greatly reducing any risk of studding themselves. i find those rubber stoppers useless...you always have to rethread when using them. I use sponge....generally a very old tack cleaning sponge that is soaked in oil from lots of use and fined them fab to keep stud holes perfect!
 
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