Studs - tips and advice

[abbijay]

So after 5 years of making do on slippy ground I am getting stud holes put in BP's shoes for a few competitions this summer. Both my instructor and farrier have agreed it is the right thing to do and that we put 2 studs in each hind shoe as it is only behind he slips.
He is my first pony and I have no experience with studs so I am after any tips and advice on cleaning the holes, putting them in, etc.

 

[LeannePip]

don't make it too complicated - simple is best i don't run on super wet/soft ground or rock hard ground so i on have two different sized studs in my kit! its small blunt points all round/ larger blunt points all round or small in front large in back

 

[smja]

Always clean out the holes the night before/before you leave the yard, and plug up with cotton wool. This makes for a much less stressful experience when threading/screwing in studs in a competition environment!

 

[PorkChop]

I use cotton wool dipped in oil for the holes when not in use, I just use a nail/screw to clean the holes. Supa studs are great - use smaller studs on the inside and use the smallest studs you can according to the conditions. A magnetic tray or wristband is a god send if you are studding up by yourself - also if your horse is fidgety, remove the studs before you remover the boots

 

[CrazyMare]

Be gentle with studs, don't force them if they won't screw in as the threads are easily damaged.

We clean them then plug with cigarette filter tips (poundshop £1 for 800, perfectly sized).

Have a tin with everything you might need, including a little bottle of 3 in 1 oil and a little wire brush. We give them a drop of oil and a little scrub if they are sticky to go in or have developed a bit of rust.

 

[Arniebear]

For ease at competitions i clean my stud holes out at home and put Supa travel studs in, (which are completly flat) then when i get to my venue its as simple as 1 stud out and 1 stud in! I plug my holes with cotton wool when i remove studs at the competition!

 

[njaysharpie]

Use the smallest studs you can according to the conditions.

This might sound stupid but I have no experience of studs and have just got stud holes put in.. What size studs are best for what conditions? So say hard and slippy ground vs soft and wet ground?

 

[LeannePip]

This might sound stupid but I have no experience of studs and have just got stud holes put in.. What size studs are best for what conditions? So say hard and slippy ground vs soft and wet ground?

Quite simply;
Hard ground - pointy ones to penetrate the ground not too long
regular/ good going - normal dommed medium sized
soft - big fat chunky studs

 

[PorkChop]

I use pointy ones for hard/good ground and dome shaped ones for deeper going. Tbh if the ground is very muddy and cut up there isn't much point in using studs - it also depends what height and what discipline you are doing. If I was showjumping in a grass arena at a decent height then I would be using bigger studs than if I were eventing. I personally wouldn't use studs up to 90cm.

 

[Fun Times]

I use pointy ones for hard/good ground and dome shaped ones for deeper going. Tbh if the ground is very muddy and cut up there isn't much point in using studs - it also depends what height and what discipline you are doing. If I was showjumping in a grass arena at a decent height then I would be using bigger studs than if I were eventing. I personally wouldn't use studs up to 90cm.

Can I ask a genuine qu about your last sentence LJR as you are not the only person I know who holds this view. In my experience, most of the slips and slids happen on turns either into or after the fence, particularly when running xc. I genuinely don't understand the link to fence height (beyond the fact that if the fence is small you maybe have a greater chance of still getting over it despite a horse losing balance on the way in). Can you explain why fence height influences your choice whether to stud up?

 

[PorkChop]

Can I ask a genuine qu about your last sentence LJR as you are not the only person I know who holds this view. In my experience, most of the slips and slids happen on turns either into or after the fence, particularly when running xc. I genuinely don't understand the link to fence height (beyond the fact that if the fence is small you maybe have a greater chance of still getting over it despite a horse losing balance on the way in). Can you explain why fence height influences your choice whether to stud up?

Maybe it is because I come from a hunting background where we don't stud and jump sizable fences Our other discipline is eventing, so slower speeds at the lower levels, I also think a horse starting out in its competitive career should initially be encouraged to find its fifth leg, and be ridden sympathetically - and bottom line is that I would much prefer not to stud and don't think a horse should need studs when jumping 80cm

 

[Fun Times]

Maybe it is because I come from a hunting background where we don't stud and jump sizable fences Our other discipline is eventing, so slower speeds at the lower levels, I also think a horse starting out in its competitive career should initially be encouraged to find its fifth leg, and be ridden sympathetically - and bottom line is that I would much prefer not to stud and don't think a horse should need studs when jumping 80cm

Ta for the reply LJR, much appreciated. ☺