All About Horse Shoe Studs – How To Gain Traction

We ride our horses on a variety of surfaces. We ride them thru water, in sand, through snow and on hard surfaces, but do you ever think about the traction (or lack of traction) that those different surfaces provide for your horse? Do you know that you can help your horse gain traction in these less than ideal settings by employing horseshoe studs?

What Are Studs

Horse shoe studs (often referred to as caulks) are little, metal objects to help horses keep their balance in specific situations. Though it’s not uncommon to see an eventer lugging about a box full of studs at a show, any discipline can use studs to their advantage. Studs have been gaining acclaim in the other disciplines because riders realized that the right stud can give your horse a boost of confidence which translates into a more impressive performance.

Find a Good Farrier

A good farrier is a part of the key to using horseshoe studs properly. Your farrier will drill holes and customize your horse’s shoe to the stud so as to create the best fitting for the stud and to guarantee your horse stays as comfortable as practicable while the studs are in.

Safety First

Studs can be useful or damaging and it’s your decision to know how to utilize them correctly. There are many types of studs on the market and you have to select the stud that is appropriate for the job. Larger is not better and you can harm your horse if you make a decision to use the biggest stud, without reference to the footing. There are studs for nearly every kind of ground you will encounter so there is not any reason for you to be unable to find a suitable stud for the job. You also need to learn when to insert the studs. Since studs could cause horses to become sore if left in too long and have even been known for causing tendon problems, it is recommended that you place the studs just before you mount your horse and to remove them right after you’ve finished your class.

The right stud can help in giving you an advantage in the show ring. Yet, remember that they can hurt more than they help if they’re used incorrectly. So discover what your horse wants and the way to provide it and studs will always help and not impede your performance.

Anna Sola is a longtime content author publishing articles on a large spread of subjects including travel sport and medical subjects.

Townend Online is an online equestrian clothing and tack shop for all competitive riders as an example stocking horseshoe studs and stud kits.