Shod in front/barefoot at back - do I need studs?

[Jingleballs]

I had to give in and put front shoes on C as his fronts were just not coping well at all.

His backs are fine so I've kept him barefoot at the back.

We'll be doing some more XC this year and while he coped fine barefoot even in slightly wet conditions I'm wondering what I should do this year.

Is it standard to put studs on the front? Would this not give more grip and the front than the back? Or do I just leave him as is?

Suggestions welcome as I've never even contemplated using studs before due to him being barefoot for so long!

 

[smurf]

Given his build (ie you are not going to be taking corners like a TB on acid) and you are a sensible rider etc Whilst you are sticking to about 2ft 6 I would leave him without. If he seems to lack confidence in the wet then you can think about it then. But prob better for balance to leave him without. Also the shoes will give him some grip.

 

[posie_honey]

i always stud up more behind than in front - ie smaller studs in front - larger behind - as they generally require more traction behind...
and i know a lot of peeps who just stud behind and don't bother with front...
tbh i've never heard of just front studs... i *think* the general consensous is that a little slipage/movemetn in the front is not a bad thing - esp landing jumping as studs can cause jarring to the front legs... hence the reason to put smaller ones in - but i may stand corrected
you may find he has enough traction from the shoes along but if he is slipping then i'd suggest back shoes and studs - esp if he seems to be loosing confidence round corners etc

 

[Jingleballs]

Thanks guys!

TBH Rosie I'll do anything to avoid putting back shoes on as hes doesn't need them!

Smurf, you're right, he's not the type build for a great deal of speed so hopefully it won't be a problem!

 

[posie_honey]

TBH Rosie I'll do anything to avoid putting back shoes on as hes doesn't need them!

same as honey - her back feet were fine barefoot - coped a days hunting etc - but she did need them for studs for xc - she was slipping and beginning to loose confidence - i didn't put them back on for any other reason

 

[millitiger]

I wouldn't stud in front and not behind as imo you would be asking to lose the backend on corners, downhill etc.

I would either not stud at all or get back shoes on for the grass season and stud all round.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I never have and i do a fair bit of grass riding in the summer and alot of it at speed and had no bother.

Farriers generally wont just stud the front as horse will break with fronts which will hold and hinds can then slip under and tear stuff. Well thats how it was explained to me anyways

He should be fine.

 

[ecrozier]

I also woudln't stud only in front. My rising 5 year old will have back shoes for first time in spring so I can stud him, and will only stud behind initially. He fell right over after losing his back end round a corner in his first HT - we were doing pairs with a friend who was on my older boy who flew round the same corner, he also wasnt studded as going was perfect and we were meant to be taking it slow! So I think depends on horse, but option of shoeing behind only for grass season is probably what I will do atm

 

[wench]

Depends on horse - Henry would quite happily go round XC with out studs - done up to 3ft and he never once slipped. Trig needs them for anything!

 

[Decision_Tree]

Given his build (ie you are not going to be taking corners like a TB on acid) and you are a sensible rider etc Whilst you are sticking to about 2ft 6 I would leave him without. If he seems to lack confidence in the wet then you can think about it then. But prob better for balance to leave him without. Also the shoes will give him some grip.

I agree with Smurf. I have a chunky fellow too and we go studless - we have done up to BE80 and we have also done alot of the 2,6ft HT in the same area as you guys. I am also used to riding on grass surfaces, which helps us when it comes to jumping on grass as he knows how to balance himself.