XC schooling Grotttttie, shoes/slipping/studs pondering & pics so not too boring!!!

Vickijay

Vickijay

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Morning.

I am having a feet/shoes/slipping/studs ponder and wondered if you could tell me your thoughts.

My 5 year old mare has been barefoot until very recently. I would of liked to of kept her that way but she was getting very footy on the hard ground around the yard and when I took her out XC she was very reluctant to canter over the fences even though she was not spooky or looky at all. I persevered because I do like my horses to be barefoot but a month in and she was still the same so I had front shoes put on. She is completely better on the hard ground and when I have taken her out round the farm she feels completely different, I didn't think she was struggling on the grass but now she has the shoes on I can tell she wasn't happy.

I took her XC and she was much happier, she was fine to canter over the fences so I was very happy. I only went to jump the 50-60cm jumps and in the end she did the whole 90cm course without a single look :) She did on the other hand slip a lot behind, a couple of times quite seriously, not when actually jumping but twice when turning to a fence and once between a turning combination. She was being polite and the ground was a good covering of grass. After the slips each time she had lost confidence about it and although she kept jumping I could feel it had knocked her.

So now I'm wondering if she should have hind shoes on and possibly wear some little studs but I have never studded a 5 year old so didn't know if that was a bad idea. Should I preserve with the backs off and hope she improves? She is a nimble pony type little horse.

She is quite busy with lessons, schooling and little competitions at the moment and hopefully she could go and do some 80s pretty soon. The farrier thought she would probably need the back shoes on (obviously I will be talking to him) but I just wondered what HHO would do :confused::confused::confused: She's so keen, in such a lovely way that I don't want to knock her confidence about jumping out on grass which makes me want to put shoes on behind just so its an option if the ground needs it but I don't want to put too much excess strain down her limbs whilst she's young still..... what would you do?

Here's some pics to brighten a boring post!! They were all taken by my BF!

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Thanks for reading :)
 
I'd put shoes on and stud up.

You can always take shoes off again over winter to give the feet a rest but imo confidence is key in a young horse in particular and I would be doing whatever was needed to keep her happy and confident about her jumping.
 
The loss of confidence from slipping will have a negative effect and this can eventually cause the horse to start questioning you and it may then stop jumping so positively, hard ground with good grass cover is often the worst for slipping.
I would shoe before starting to compete, SJ on grass is often even more of a challenge than XC as the turns are tighter and in order to be fair and build confidence at this early stage studs may well be required, unless you are prepared to be very picky about when and where you go.
 
Definitely shoe and stud! Not worth risking loss of confidence.
You can always take them off in winter
 
She is great - like a little pocket rocket! :D

I would say add shoes and stud up - she looks really confident in those photos and it would be a shame for her to lose confidence if she keeps slipping.
 
I agree with all the above (despite being a barefoot only owner), if the work warrants it then shoeing is the right thing to do (most horses work doesn't need it but in this case it does). However the footiness will have an underlying cause which the shoeing will mask but not cure, so I would also look at diet with an eagle eye even once shod. BTW your horse is B£&)dy gorgeous!!!
 
Ok that seems pretty unanimous!

It was what I was thinking but was just worried about the extra strain down her limbs. I don't want to effect her confidence though as she's so much fun and loving her job so far.

So the next question is how many holes?!

I have always had 2 behind but is 1 better? Does the fact she's younger make a difference do you think?

Time to do some old hho post searching...
 
I use two studs in front and one behind, but it really is personal choice. The way I see it, the front foot needs to slide evenly, but the hind foot often twists as it pushes off.
Use the smallest studs possible and you shouldn't find it causes too much strain.
 
What a lovely pingy spotty pony! Ditto the others, I would shoe and stud - try just behind, if she starts slipping in front then do front ones too. I personally have a problem with using only one stud in front as it is so important that each foot slides evenly as they land over a fence (they must be able to slide a little, hence the importance of not over-studding)but I have no problem with only using one stud on the outside behind, in fact we frequently do just this...
 
As you know, I'm a minimalist by nature ;) but I think needs must and while it's all very well to try to be as "natural" as possible, the fact is competition requirements are not natural and so we have to support the horse for the questions we ask of them. I also think once you go with shoes then you need to start thinking about studding, as a flat shoe does not even give the grip of a bare hoof. If she's struggling, even a bit, then she needs you to make a different decision for her.

There are other factors in your case, too. You have a very good farrier you trust and can communicate with. Your horse is very sound and has good, "normal" conformation. You are at a critical point with a horse showing a lot of promise - better to take precautions than be sorry you didn't!

So in this case, with all the information, I would say speak to your farrier and, if he advises, go with shoes behind and start seeing what studs work best for her before you get into a situation where you HAVE to use them. (I had one that could only wear tiny studs - it worked for him so that's what we did!)

These things are never "one size fits all"!
 
Just to say that my farrier is very keen to analyse the horse move before recommending how many stud holes for the hinds - if the horse is very straight he puts two in each hind, but if it has any slight twist as it weights and lifts the foot he goes for one outside only. As TD says, always two in front to allow the hoof to slide evenly.
PS Your girl looks lovely and confident!
 
TarrSteps said:
As you know, I'm a minimalist by nature ;) but I think needs must and while it's all very well to try to be as "natural" as possible, the fact is competition requirements are not natural and so we have to support the horse for the questions we ask of them. I also think once you go with shoes then you need to start thinking about studding, as a flat shoe does not even give the grip of a bare hoof. If she's struggling, even a bit, then she needs you to make a different decision for her.

There are other factors in your case, too. You have a very good farrier you trust and can communicate with. Your horse is very sound and has good, "normal" conformation. You are at a critical point with a horse showing a lot of promise - better to take precautions than be sorry you didn't!

So in this case, with all the information, I would say speak to your farrier and, if he advises, go with shoes behind and start seeing what studs work best for her before you get into a situation where you HAVE to use them. (I had one that could only wear tiny studs - it worked for him so that's what we did!)

These things are never "one size fits all"!
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As ever, the voice of reason!

Confidence is key, for both horse and rider :)

She looks lovely, what a little superstar!!!
 
I'd shoe and stud behind, probably 1 but definately get your farriers opinion.

Her confidence at this stage is so important for now and for the future so I'd be shoeing, but taking them off when you go back to competing on surfaces only/winter!

She's so lovely and is probably my favourite HHO horse. She's just so pingy!
 
What a lovely mare, she's gorgeous! :)
I've read this thread with interest as my horse has always just had front shoes and none on the back, and up to now we have mainly hunted and done a bit of SJ and never really had problems slipping, however I am wanting to do a hunter trial in a few wks and some ODEs, and went XC schooling at the wkend and his back feet slipped straight underneath him, causing us a heavy fall. However Ive never had any experience with studs, so think I may start a new thread for some opinions!
You will have to let us know how your mare goes on if you do decide to stud her! :)
 
I would stud and shoe. I've just broken my (just turned)4yo. He is doing very slow things this year as a big boy (16.3) and still filling out. Aiming to SJ over winter with the possibility of BYEH 5yo next season but I'm not rushing so if it doesn't happen its not a problem.

I have however just had him shod all round. mostly for road work but as soon as we start jumping on grass he will have 2 studs in every shoe. the studs won't be huge but they will be there to reduce slipping and any loss of confidence. Have always done this with young horses as you can put studs in, or leave them out, but without stud holes you don't have a choice.

Anyway love the spottyness :D
 
Love a spotty botty, you look fab together.
I'd definitely shoe and stud all round. Just small studs can make a huge difference to security and confidence.
btw, just want to say how much it gladdens my heart to see small portable xc fences properly anchored down. :) :) :) 10/10 to the venue, since so many seem to think it's not necessary if the fences are small.
 
Thanks for everyone's advice and kind words about my grottie Dottie pony. I spoke to my farrier today and he's going to come out on weds to put some hind shoes on and decide about holes from watching her. She should be good and organised with appropriate holes to go for her first event at the weekend :)


showjumpingfilly said:
I'd shoe and stud behind, probably 1 but definately get your farriers opinion.

Her confidence at this stage is so important for now and for the future so I'd be shoeing, but taking them off when you go back to competing on surfaces only/winter!

She's so lovely and is probably my favourite HHO horse. She's just so pingy!
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Awwwwww cute that she's your fav, she's mine too! ;) x

kerilli said:
Love a spotty botty, you look fab together.
I'd definitely shoe and stud all round. Just small studs can make a huge difference to security and confidence.
btw, just want to say how much it gladdens my heart to see small portable xc fences properly anchored down. :) :) :) 10/10 to the venue, since so many seem to think it's not necessary if the fences are small.
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Wow you have eagle eyes! I know they pin all the fences there but I didn't realise you could see it on the pics! It is such a super place for babies because it runs from 40cms and they are all safe and lovely.
 
BEAUTIFUL horse :)

I personally wouldnt stud such a young horse, she needs to find her own feet!
Iv come across youngsters that have no clue how to balance on grass becuase all their used to is studs!

Think if you were constantly wearing golf shoes (studded) in a filed then someone put you in runners you,d get a land!

Good luck :)
 
Bink said:
BEAUTIFUL horse :)

I personally wouldnt stud such a young horse, she needs to find her own feet!
Iv come across youngsters that have no clue how to balance on grass becuase all their used to is studs!

Think if you were constantly wearing golf shoes (studded) in a filed then someone put you in runners you,d get a land!

Good luck :)
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But but but... they're turned out in grass fields with no studs, obviously! I mean, I was watching my newly-shod mare careering around the field and staying upright. Of course they can balance... but when you put a rider on, and ask them to jump fences, or turn tightly in a dressage test, I think it's much fairer to give them a bit of extra help. Mine are hacked and turned out on grass unstudded all the time.
 
kerilli said:
But but but... they're turned out in grass fields with no studs, obviously! I mean, I was watching my newly-shod mare careering around the field and staying upright. Of course they can balance... but when you put a rider on, and ask them to jump fences, or turn tightly in a dressage test, I think it's much fairer to give them a bit of extra help. Mine are hacked and turned out on grass unstudded all the time.
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I think I'm with you K.

The risk of her loosing confidence at the lower levels by slipping from being unstudded isn't worth it. Thanks for saying she is beautiful though :)
 
showjumpingfilly said:
:-) i'd love a spottie, there's just something about her, she always looks like she's enjoying herself just as much as you!
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She really does, she's up for most adventures! I took her out for a hack today and she thought she was the bees knees, there was much squealing and even a bit of monkey, norty pony spooking (which is unusal for her!!)

She's just a thoughrougly nice person. My last horse was very tricky, opinionated and difficult. Dot is like a breath of fresh air!! I just hope her sister is the same :)
 
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