Why do use studs/or not use studs?

[morrismob]

I would like to hear the different views from people as to why, and when they use studs. Do you use on stud in each shoe or two in each ? And why ?

I can understand the theory behind them but hear so many conflicting stories it makes my head spin. So far this event season we haven't used them but am competing at the week end and will judge the going both tomorrow and on the day as to whether we use them. Have used them in previous years but would like to understand the theory more... sorry if its a numpty question but it does make me think..

 

[Santa_Claus]

its such a personal thing and there is no right answer as such.

I always stud up to go XC and 9 times out of ten will stud up to SJ on grass, rarely won't if ground has good cut and isn't slippy.

I personally only ever use back studs when jumping and always two per foot behind. My reasoning is that when a horse lands it front feet slide forward slightly so by using studs you are stopping the foot moving and so jarring the legs. I then use 2 behind as i believe if you use only one the foot will twist around the stud whereas 2 will keep the foot straight.

Others believe that by putting 2 behind you are also jarring the legs hence why it is so much personal preference.

Lastly I always use the smallest studs possible according to the ground. And as a general rule if the ground is too hard for studs (I.e. they wont cut into the ground at all) then it is too hard to be riding on that surface so I wont!

 

[kirstyhen]

I use two small studs in front, to allow the foot to land a slide slightly without twisting, don't want it to slide too much though.
I only use one behind as the hind foot does tend to have a slight twist to the action so I want to allow that.
I'd always use for dressage and show jumping on grass, XC I always use but I think you can get away with it at low levels on good ground as there are rarely any really tight turning combinations.

So there you go, in two answers you have two totally different views! The joys of studs
Like SC says, it's a totally personal thing!

 

[HighFive]

It's really a bit of trial end error to see what set up suits your horse best Some horses love to have that little bit of slide in front and after the jump so not studs for them in the front. Others hate hate hate any form of slipping, so stud all round for them. However, my general rule is that I use smaller studs in front than behind. I will use 2 studs in each hoof, however I had a rather gawky, close moving TB who would speedy-cut, so I only used outside ones on his hinds. Better to be safe than sorry!

I like to use a point stud on the outside of the hind hoof, accompanied with another stud dependent on the ground. Wet ground over here is usually greasy in the first inch or so, then rock hard underneath, so I will stud up for everything on grass. Even rock hard with grass cover is slippery as to ride on, but I only put back studs in for a little traction when turning.

Even with studs in, it's improtant to ride to the conditions on the day

 

[Pob100]

I use 2 small studs on the front feet and 2 larger studs on the back feet, the smaller studs allow very slight slide but will give the grip it needs and the back feet stud bigger as my horse is quite large and does have a tendency to slip even on perfect surface

But would always say use 2 studs per foot as keeps the foot straight and in balance without creating a twisting motion on there legs

But everyone has there own preference, nd the more you stud the more you decide what you like

 

[diggerbez]

i never use especially big studs as at the level i compete at i don't have to do anything especially technical involving tight turns! i use the supastuds range and generally- unless the ground is terrible either way- i will use the conical studs- usually mediums in front and large in the hinds- 2 in each foot.

having said that- i had a few issues last year- my spanner bent/ i cross threaded a hole etc etc and did a few events with no studs whatsoever and didn't notice a massive difference- except maybe in the dressage phase where horse was a bit more reluctant to travel (but that might have been me- its a problem we have more generally anyway)....