Would you go XC in this weather, without studs?

[skewby]

I have had the biggest non-event of a weekend

partly because I seem to have eaten something that has disagreed with me and felt a bit pants, but mainly because I hired a course to go XC schooling yesterday, then found a HT to go to today, and have done neither as both courses are in long grass and it's p'd it down, and I forgot to ask the bloomin farrier to put stud holes in!!

Farrier next due early December. Am I really only going to be able to jump if there's NO rain? Do you let it stop you, or am I being over cautious? (Have to admit it's slightly complicated as my lad gets too onward bound which does make things extra hairy if the ground is slippy.) What do you all think?? Ta

 

[MontyandZoom]

Zoomy and I did a HT today and she hasn't even got shoes on the back. It totally depends on the type of ground and the size of the jumps. I wouldn't have attempted the biggies today since it was slippery and I admit I trotted round the corners but I think as long as you are sensible you can still jump in this weather.

Having said that, to pay an entry fee and then walk the course only to discover it's a bog would be very annoying!

 

[JanetGeorge]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with studs in this weather - it's SO wet that the horses would be getting so far into the ground that studs wouldn't help much!

Studs are more necessary when the ground is slippy on top - but hard underneath IMHO.

 

[floradora09]

I'd go on my pony, but he's sensible, accurate and cautious going XC and i took him schooling a couple of weeks ago when the ground was slippy and he jumped it all fine (2'6/2'9) just backed off a little going into some of the fences. If I were you I'd give it a go, but if it's not safe then wait for stud holes!

 

[rocketdog69]

I go x-country in this weather without shoes, mind you, when my horse did have shoes on he never wore studs.

 

[Katie__Connie]

hmm if you're in any doubt i always say better safe than sorry

I pretty much always just go for it but my old and new ponies are pretty tough connies and so maybe not as bad as for say TBs? maybe i'm wrong but TB types look so delicate to me!!

 

[millitiger]

no way- i would definitely have studs in!

it is not worth the risk imo

 

[melissa7793]

Wouldnt risk it without studs, better safe than sorry!

 

[jenh166]

depends what your horse is like, will they panic if they dont have them in? Personally i wouldnt, but up to you - i know planty who would.

 

[cptrayes]

I do cross country in this weather with no shoes.

I did four hours hunting yesterday jumping out of and into all sorts of ground over timber and big hedges on an unshod hunter. Studs are for rider confidence, the horses don't need them.

 

[millitiger]

[ QUOTE ]
I do cross country in this weather with no shoes.

I did four hours hunting yesterday jumping out of and into all sorts of ground over timber and big hedges on an unshod hunter. Studs are for rider confidence, the horses don't need them.

[/ QUOTE ]

i had always believed an unshod foot had more grip that a shod one?

so if your horse is shod, studs can help get the grip back we have taken away when the shoes went on.

and to say studs don't help the horse is totally unfounded.
are you saying they have a placebo effect on the rider?

odd, as a horse i was riding fell over on the flat xc schooling a few months ago.
i presumed she had been studded up as when i got there she was tacked up and ready to go- after the fall i checked her over and realised no studs!
coincidence?
we put studs in straight away and she was far more sure footed.