Studs - front shoes

[kate081]

In the past I've only put 1 stud in the front shoe (outside edge) & 2 in the hinds (big outside/small inside). However, the horse in question had a suspensory ligament injury in her front leg 2 years ago (which has healed fine) but should I put 2 studs in to make it more balanced? Thoughts please...

 

[kick_On]

can i ask why you put studs in??? IMO unless your at very high level compete i would avoid at all cost, cos studs do have effect on wear and tear on legs.......... esp with front leg issues. I used two in back if uses but i'm not at level to use fronts IMO

 

[Baileyhoss]

My farrier advised alway to put 2 equal sizes studs in each foot. One stud or different sized studs will unbalance the foot and cause stress on the ligaments, they aren't designed to move laterally.

Hope that helps.

Fi x

 

[kate081]

It's interesting what different people say. In H&H last week their article on studs said think about using one stud per shoe in the outside branch & if putting an inside one in, make sure it's smaller so they don't cut themselves.

I school on grass all the time without studs but I'm not willing to jump grids / cross country without them. I think I might try two small studs in the front...

 

[WishfulThinker]

We have recently put front shoes on my horse as will hopefully do XC and sharer wants to use studs (only got front shoes mind). He has never had studs before - it wont be anything over 3ft he is doing. I tried to tell her there is no point, but she wouldnt listen. I take it they will do more harm than good?

 

[Baileyhoss]

it's tricky to know what to do for the best. I have never used studs before, but planning to do more jumping and some BE this year, so have been researching. I think that for jumping on grass, I will put 2 domey type studs in each hind, probably nothing in the front, but I will only ride with boots on him. If the ground is a bit greasy I know lots of people who put studs inthe back for dressage too, so would probably consider this as well.

Any other views on this would be interesting.
fi x

 

[Baileyhoss]

Wishful thinker, I don't think it will do, much harm but ime it's the hinds that will slip first. If you have them on the front, remember a stud guard, they still tuck at that height. x

 

[kate081]

I have used studs before on my old horse. Studs in front shoes alone will do more harm than good because, as ongo says, the back will slip first. It's OK to put backs without fronts though. I prefer all round if I'm using them.

I have only ever put road studs in the fronts so never used a stud guard. Never had any injuries either. It's the inside fronts I'm not sure about coz of the risk of tred injuries.

 

[cavalo branco]

This is an interesting post! I use one stud in outside hinds only unless its really slippery and also the smallest ones possible. I think that the horse needs traction when taking off but you don't want to cut the stride short in front which might make them stumble or overreach. I have used studs even for dressage(on grass) and showing classes if its slippery, certainly for XC. This is only my experience, not an experts!!

 

[KatB]

I use front studs, but only small ones! I use two behind in very wet conditions, otherwise just one. When using two behind, I put a smaller one on the inside. Putting two "proper" studs infront causes probs as can stop the foot dead and cause cconcussion injury to shoulders/front leg joints.

 

[Jul]

There's no hard and fast rule with studs, its all down to personal preference and the horse. The only time we have slipped (without studs) was with a hindleg, therefore I put one stud in the outside of each hind only, like the above poster. |I wouldn't want to use two as my horse is very close behind and I would be worried that she would injure herself with studs on the inside of a hind foot.
That's been fine for us so far, if I feel her start to slip in any other way I will adjust accordingly.

 

[kate081]

Now I'm thinking I might just put back ones in & not tempt any problems in front. My old horse had a nasty injury sliping on hard ground but as everyone has said, it was his back end that went. It's really interesting getting everyone's opinions though - i'll try the back ones at the weekend

I feel a jumping sessions coming on - hehe

 

[natalia]

Well I jumped on grass on wednesday and only put one in behind and it was awful last time with two I had much more control and I felt more horse really struggle with one in, he skidded in to one fence but he does have huge movement and not much limb control for his size so it dosen't help. I have a 14.2hh event pony who will jump on grass happily wothout studs but heaven forbid you try and do a dressage test without on grass, he skids all over the place, gets very tense and won't do a nice test at all. The difference with putting some small ones in for flat on grass is incredible.

 

[MagicMelon]

I think its very much preference as to what and how many studs you use. I only use a stud in the outside. Hinds and very occassionally in fronts but the ground needs to be bad. Im not at any hugely high level

But TBH if my horse had had an injury, Id likely not put studs in the fronts at all just in case.

 

[kate081]

I'm going to try backs only & see how I get on. Why use any more than you need to? My old horse used to like to get deep into fences which is why I studded him all round. I'll report back on Monday!!