Showjumping on wet grass - studs?

[billylula]

Apparently it is going to be very wet this Saturday. Daughter is supposed to be show jumping on grass. Her pony doesn't have studs. Are they essential? He's a fast pony and they tend to race round - quite worried about them slipping. We've never bothered in the past but she and pony have become quicker and more competitive. I have rung the farrier to see if he's free - if he isn't I'm not sure whether to let her do it or not. What do you think?

 

[Tickles]

As a new mum I'd say no studs = no jumping on slippy surfaces. BUT you know the pony and they are all different.

 

[tallyho!]

Not a lover of studs as they are damaging to ligaments from the sheer force on limbs so personally wouldn't jump on wet grass.

 

[ladyt25]

I never ever used to wear studs with my pony an he was very whizzy and (back then) we very rarely ever jumped on a surface. I never had any issues with him. However, on my horse he has road studs for hacking and I put larger studs in for competing on grass if it's likely to be slippy. This is mainly because he has come down twice in the past on grass (lost his back end) and also slipped on his side on the road with me when he lost one road stud. To me I like to be safer and for him to be safer. Plus, I can tell the difference in his confidence when he knows he has 'grip'

As for the comment above re ligaments. Not sure what proof there is of that. My horse has had studs practically the whole time I've owned him (bought him when he was 4 yo). He is 22 now and has spent his life hacking several times a week on roads and tracks and competed a lot. He has NEVER had any issues with his legs so I think that's a myth to be honest. Plus my only ever injury I've had was a broken collar bone when he slipped on the road when missing a stud. Therefore, weighing up the pros and cons I think he (and I) are better with studs than without!

 

[dunkley]

If your pony slips and/or loses his confidence it may take sometime to regain. Is it really worth risking that for the sake of one competition this weekend. Added to which, and far more importantly, he could slip and fall, damaging himself or your daughter. If your farrier can fit you in, great. If not, wait until he can, and you won't get caught out again. To be fair, if the ground is firm and dry it can be just as slippery, and you will end up using small, spiky studs. The general rule is - use the smallest you can get away with. Most eventing dressage tests are done on grass, and I can't remember ever doing one without studs.

 

[Dubsie]

My daughter has a fast, unshod pony. Not sure she'd do the same speed on a shod but un-studded pony, I don't think it'd have the same grip

 

[warmbloodcrazy]

I'd be careful if the pony is whizzy and the grass is very wet without studs

 

[Muckmeister]

If it has shoes on it should have studs on grass. Nothing is more damaging to confidence than slipping and sliding all over ... and potentially a fall.