Studs for XC! Only one stud hole in back shoes?? I'm confused!

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I have just started to put studs into my Mare as we are starting to compete a little higher, my farrier has only put one stud hole in each back shoe on the outside, I'm wondering if this will just unbalance her?

I was advised not to put stud holes in the front shoes as she has a massive splint on her front leg and the farrier thought it may put too much pressure on her legs.

I'm getting confused about the benefit of single stud holes!
 
I often just use one, especially at the lower levels or if the ground is firm just to give them some extra grip, they should go into the ground so no reason to cause any loss of balance, last weekend I did use 2 in each foot as the SJ was slippery he would have been fine xc with just one but I left them in.
 
Lots of people only use one per shoe. There are arguments for and against based on perceptions of whether a bit of twist is better or worse than poss jarring through "too much" grip. I never had a slipping problem while using either one or two, to be honest.

When I had a lesson with Mary King she said she uses one per shoe until the horse gets to intermediate and then two. "How interesting," says I, having been recently debating the relative merits of both arrangements and expecting a wise and scientific analysis of the increase in jumping demands, horse's balance and strength, etc. "How have you reached that conclusion?"
"Because they're a faff." Says Mary.
 
Personal preference, no right or wrong. I use 2 as I feel if one side of foot grips and other doesn't will twist foot when loaded which will put strain on lateral ligaments which arent designed for it. Others argue that 2 causes a fixed foot and therefore more concussion whereas the movement with one stud has slight shock absorbing effect.
 
It is personal preference and most people use one stud on the outside so that there is less likelihood of the horse striking itself. If I use two I tend to use a smaller stud on the inside anyway.
 
I'm another with only one per shoe,
because its only low level stuff for us and because it's a faff (lol love it)
and because i don't trust idiot nag to stud himself as he's narrow with the same approximate movement of a drunk octopus
 
I only ever use one on the outside because my horse moves very close behind, and already has scabs on the inside of both pasterns where she knocks herself, i think she'd be in ribbons if she had studs to play with as well!
 
philamena said:
When I had a lesson with Mary King she said she uses one per shoe until the horse gets to intermediate and then two. "How interesting," says I, having been recently debating the relative merits of both arrangements and expecting a wise and scientific analysis of the increase in jumping demands, horse's balance and strength, etc. "How have you reached that conclusion?"
"Because they're a faff." Says Mary.
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Haha love this!! We only put one in each foot now, as one of our ponies would definately stud himself when tied up with the way he stands! Never had a problem, farrier has always said providing the right studs for the ground are used there should be no more risk using one than two, the problem would come if the stud you used wasn't right for the ground and didn't go into the ground properly. Tend to put slightly bigger at front than back. My POV is those that use studs without actually understanding them or those that stud up in front minus a stud guard are far more at risk of injury than just using one stud :)
 
I only use one stud per shoe behind - like others have said if you have chosen the right studs for the ground they should just sink in anyway and not unbalance? Plus my other theory is its two less studs to make a hole in me if I get stood on!!

If the ground is good enough I dont stud in front for xc if I can help it and if I do it only tends to be very small studs (tiny running spike type ones or road studs) the front feet are meant to have a little forward movement on landing over a fence - natures own shock absorber :)
 
I stud all round if jumping on grass. One stud in each hind and two in each front.

I use two smaller studs in the front to prevent twisting as I would expect the front feet to move slightly on landing and I would rather that be in an even fashion. I too use as small a stud as I think I can get away with.

That said it's just my personal thoughts on the matter but I don think it's an interesting subject.
 
I have a very sure footed horse and haven't put a stud in all season with no ill effects. We only do 90cm though. I would only bother if it was really greasy. Nobody studs up for hunting and everybody manages fine.
 
I would never use an inside back stud. I think it is an accident waiting to happen, whether your horse is close behind or not. They really don't need two anyway as they need to be able to pivot around on their hind legs. It's all academic for me because my horse nicks his pasterns even without studs and wears pastern wraps for XC.
 
Its personal choice really. Personally Ive always used only one hole (on the outside edge) of the hinds, and sometimes in front as well (depends on level and what Im doing). Mainly because I dont like the jarring issue and I hate the thought of him stepping on himself with the inside ones, ouch!
 
kobi said:
Nobody studs up for hunting and everybody manages fine.
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I have never (and would never) hunt, however I would think that hunting is very different from cross country. Hunting, I believe you're basically galloping pretty much straight over fences, whereas XC as you go up the levels eventing then you get a lot more complicated combinations which means slowing right up, turning tight / jumping on angles etc. so a lot more chance to slip IMO.
 
I put two in the front, the little dressage cubes with the point, and usually a cone type in the outside behind. I do try to get away with as small as possible but that can be costly sj wise as I have experienced in the past if you have a horse who really doesn't like movement under foot in takeoff
 
Ahhh well one would like to think that hunting was like that , but it generaly isnt. We get the odd faller but horses soon learn to read the ground ,and it does astonish me how poor ,riders tend to be ,at doing the same thing.
 
I generally only use one but have the stud hole further forward on the shoe, not on the heel. This allows some slippage, but will prevent the hoof swivelling round one heel.
It really seems to depend on the horse tho' some seem to slip & need support and some are just more surefooted.
 
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