Help build out my stud kit!

[dmveventer]

Now that x-country season is approaching I’m looking to add to my small collection of studs, but having trouble deciding which ones to buy next. I’m hoping to tap the collective experience here to help me be strategic in where I spend my money instead of just buying studs randomly until I have some of everything.

For context: I’m based in Maryland so we can see pretty much every type of ground throughout the season, there are lots of hills, and some of the venues we frequent do dressage and/or SJ on grass. My horse is green and lacking confidence at the moment, and even though we’re not jumping anything big I want to be able to stud him appropriately so he doesn’t have to worry about traction while he figures things out. I won’t take him out in really terrible weather anytime soon for the same reason, but as he comes along we’ll start adding some of that in.

I currently have 10 each of T, J, M, and U from Nunn Finer (https://www.nunnfiner.com/Studs-p/60.htm). The only situation I haven’t felt prepared for so far was the really hard, dry ground we saw late last summer so I know I want something to address that, but otherwise I’m not sure what’s next. I just want to make sure I’m covered for all the conditions I’m most likely to face before I start adding in more niche ones.

So, what am I missing, what scenarios am I not prepared for, and what do you guys think I need to buy first? Bonus points for explaining why you recommend the studs you do and what combinations you’d use them in so I can keep learning! And before anyone asks I do have a trainer and will be asking them the same question, but everyone seems to have their own approach to studs so just looking to get as much input as possible. Thanks!

[SadieRidingHorses]

Following!

[FitToBeTied]

I’m in virginia, event and hunt. when I started out I used to have all different kinds of studs. Over time I reduced it down to two types - mustaad #5 ice stud and mustaad #6 ice stud.

I find they are just good all around. I used to think I was just lazy but then one helped out my trainer at event. she had horses going up to 3*. she was using the same studs I was.

[Gardenhorse]

I’m in Maryland, and am far from an expert. But I tend to use H as my normal every day stud, and move up to M if the ground is a bit harder or longer grass. Often I do H in front and M behind. I have occasionally used R behind, but nothing more than that (I have some S, but honestly they’re huge and I can’t imagine ever using them). If it’s slightly muddy I use J. I have some bigger bullets but have never used them. I probably just wouldn’t go if it was wet enough that I thought those wouldn’t be enough.

[Highflyer1]

I’m also in Maryland. My default 90+ percent of the time is to do a medium square road stud on the inside (U or V) and then M on the outside. I use J either on the outside or all around when it’s fairly wet. I have never used anything else but if it’s super concrete hard I typically don’t run them.

[HiJumpGrrl]

I also have A, D, H, and S in addition to what you already have.

[zpsid91]

USEA just posted this article:

Studs 101: Max Corcoran's Guide to Perfecting Your Stud-Kit

[Trak_Eventer]

These new studs look super cool!

Studfast | Horse performance and safety products

[Go_Fish]

Not related to actual studs, but my stud kit wouldn’t be complete without a dental pick. The kind your dentist uses. Best tool ever to clean out drill holes. Ask your dentist if he/she has one or two they are ready to get rid of.

[dmveventer]

Not a dental pick but I did ask for one of these for Christmas and it’s come in handy so far:

TEKTON 45-Degree Bent Pick (1/8 Inch x 3 Inch) | PNH21102 - Amazon.com

Currently on the hunt for a decent wire brush since my last one fell apart after 3 uses.

[TXnGA]

As an upper level event rider I typically don’t stud horses until they are going at least training level.

They need to learn where their feet are and if you use the wrong stud in the wrong ground you could do more harm than good. And if the ground is crazy deep
Or bad, why run.

As for hard ground, one typically uses the grass studs for that.

A basic stud kit should include:

Bumpy road studs
Flat road studs
Small grass tips
Medium grass tips
Maybe a small bullet for the area you’re in.

At the lower levels you shouldn’t need more than that,
If you really wanted to stud.

But again,
I wouldn’t stud my horses at the lower levels,
And if I did it would only be the hinds.

[Gardenhorse]

@dmveventer

Currently on the hunt for a decent wire brush since my last one fell apart after 3 uses.

If you find one, please share!

[mdp9]

Everyone has their own way of doing it! But some rules of thumb-

Stud bigger in the hind than in the front
If not even, put bigger on the outside and smaller on the inside
Put boots on especially with pointy studs

This is my personal system if I were doing lower level stuff (if I were to stud at all, which I wouldn’t do for a green horse until they’re doing Novice or so)

• If the ground is “normal”, roads in the front (G, T or V) and bullets in the hind (A or X).
• If it’s soft or muddy, I’d do A in the front and C and D in the hind (pointy on the outside)
• If it’s hard ground, I’d do H in the front and maybe X and Y in the hind.

[Willesdon]

This doesn’t really answer OP’s question, but…
Studs are an aid, they have their place but they can’t replace good training and experience. A horse (and rider) needs to learn to balance itself, to gain sufficient experience and confidence to deal with the varied terrain and ground conditions that are part of the sport. At the lower levels the speed is not very fast so turns are unlikely to cause problems and studs are not habitually needed. One less thing to stress and worry about. Studs alter the natural balance of the foot and the horse has to learn to wear them, so practice at home on grass and in mud before running in a competition. They should be used carefully. Bigger isn’t better. Anecdote not being data, I once saw a particularly nasty accident, where a horse was seriously damaged, because big studs prevented the foot from moving properly. Imagine the torque.

[Gardenhorse]

Well, I like to go with Jimmy Wofford’s answer about when you should use studs:

‘When should I start putting studs in my horse’s shoes?

My smart-aleck answer is, “When do you want to stop slipping?”’

https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/training/jim-wofford-the-eventing-faqs-of-the-matter/

Not every horse is the same and not all ground conditions are the same. The ground conditions in MD are significantly different than the areas I grew up eventing in SC/GA. I didn’t know anyone who used studs at the lower levels in those sandy soils.

My horse is also shod all the way around with pads in front. Using studs makes a huge impact on her balance and confidence, so we’ll continue to do so even if some think we don’t need them.

[Jersey_Fresh]

This is my approach. My horse is studded anytime we jump on grass. He is big, long and goes in 4 shoes with pads up front. My old horse was cat like a close coupled and I never studded him.

For me, sliding into a jump and us both losing confidence is way worse than being criticized for my BN/N horse being studded. He doesn’t seem to care if others are judging him so it’s a win win.

My typical set up, OP, is small hex up front (H) and on the inside hinds with a bullet (I think A) on the outside but I need to actually look. I have larger sizes of both but have not needed them yet at my level.