What's your opinion on studs?

katiieking

katiieking

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Good morning all!

Just wanting to get a general idea on how beneficial people think studs actually are?

I've heard both sides recently -
1. They give the horse grip hence positive
2. They make the hoof static, so not giving free range of movement when riding hence negative

What do you think of them? Good or not so good?
I'm generally thinking about them in regards to jumping, but would also be looking at this from a cross country & dressage point of view!
 
For dressage on grass they can give the horse confidence, allow more accurate riding so probably a better score.
SJ on grass beyond very tiny courses, the same as for dressage, big help with confidence especially on turns and in a JO.
XC probably less essential until tackling more technical courses unless the going is slippery as many now have all weather take offs and landings.

I usually use studs behind for dressage, all round for SJ and behind for xc but this is dependent on the ground on the day and the individual horse, some rely on them more than others.
 
be positive said:
I usually use studs behind for dressage, all round for SJ and behind for xc but this is dependent on the ground on the day and the individual horse, some rely on them more than others.
Click to expand...

Why just behind for dressage? Don't mean that in a negative way! It's just I have an event next week for the first time *eep* and would love to know what options would be best for my horsey! Dressage is the one I am most worried about!
 
I've just started using studs on my cob, this time last year we were jumping on grass and he slipped right over while going around a corner. Ever since he's not jumped properly on grass, will refuse to go more than a steady slow canter that doesn't get Anywhere and will prefer to go in deep to a jump and drag himself over. Ive just started eventing him and have decided he's going to be barefoot all year except 1 set of shoes with stud holes for competition months. I can't fault them!

They have him so much confidence, he was cantering properly and actually jumping the fences. He even got very excited in the warm up and gave out a huge squeal!

I can understand the staticness of the hoof, however I think just using road studs or very small ones won't make that much difference. Saying that I was watching hickstead the other day and they had huge studs in and still managed to skid to stop at a jump
 
Ps I use (quite big ones I must say) road studs all round unless it's wet then I'll use pointier ones on the back.

Also just re read my post and it looks like I'm saying I'm keeping one set of shoes on for the whole summer ;) the plan is to have one set for 7/8 weeks depending on how they last, see if theres any more events on after that then either go ahead and take them off or put another set on. I don't think I'll ever compete him on grass without them, he's such a whizzy pony he loses his spark if he's slipping
 
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