FAQ Jumping and Studs
I'm probably going to say a few things here in my answers that may upset or offend folks who use shoes and studs - so apologies in advance!
A: Nature designed the shape and qualities of the hoof to provide traction and security on all of the surfaces that the horse encounters. A barefoot horse will probably slide less than a horse shod in plain shoes. But there are conditions such as very muddy ground when any horse will slide, and caution should be exercised when considering whether to jump or not.
Sliding is important - a certain amount of slip dissipates energy and prevents torsional injuries. Remember when you were a kid, no one liked the gymn hall floor that was shiny and made your shoes stick!
A: There is no simple answer and it depends on how you look at it really. I apologise in advance if the answer I am about to give makes you feel uncomfortable.
Rather than attempt to directly answer this question, here are some things to consider
Should we really be jumping our horses on slippery ground, which necessitates the use of studs, if we want them to keep sound and jumping for us in years to come?
Do studs make us feel safer than the horse and give us a misplaced sense of confidence?
Is a certain amount of ‘slip’ engineered into nature’s mechanism for protecting the ligaments and tendons in the leg?
Do studs stop that natural ‘slip’ protection so that the whole system has to absorb the increased concussion, force and jarring?
Do studs imbalance the hoof and therefore the whole system of the horse?
- Is successful riding over jumps really about your harmony and balance, not about studs?
- Where are your priorities? How much do you really love your horse, and how much risk are you prepared to expose him to?
Ask yourself - does this really seem like such a good idea to you? | Your choice should be based on understanding the effect studs can have on the lower limb. The first point of damage is to the coronary band directly above the stud where, due to the uneven pressure, the horn tissue is shunted upwards. This stress then continues from the dorsal wall on up to the leg affecting the navicular bursa, the digital flexor tendon, pastern, fetlock, knee, shoulder and back. Jumping barefoot without studs might mean that sometimes you slip. It might mean that you consider the conditions on the day and decide not to jump, putting your principles and your concerns for the welfare of your horse before your competitive desires and ambitions. Will this be more trouble to you, but less trouble to your horse long term? You have to decide. |
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This stud damage is permanent - the growth from the coronary band is now disrupted for the remainder of the life of this horse. His competitive career has cost him his long term soundness. Was the rosette really worth the cost to the horse? | Studs will also greatly increase the chance of self injury to your horse from standing in the coronary band, scraping the hoof, catching the fetlock, interference. Studs also represent a tremendous safety issue for you - just think what it would be like to have 700Kg standing on your foot with those studs! No thanks! |