I use the Bionic wrench and LOVE it 
I’m surprised everyone is suggesting two studs in each shoe. While this might make sense on the surface, experts suggest that this might be putting a lot of extra stress on the leg and that one per shoe is a much healthier option:
https://www.internationaleventingforum.com/the-use-and-effect-of-studs/
Very interesting. I always use the smallest stud possible for the conditions, and my mare is only drilled and tapped behind. I will consider using only the outside hole this weekend (and put a small road or blunter grass tip) since the conditions will be fairly dry - if a little chopped up by the time I get on course; there are 70 entries at my level.
1 Like
Where would one get one of the construction magnetic dish if not at a home improvement store or Amazon? Would the general hardware store like Ace carry this?
Depending on the hardware store, yes, they probably carry one of these. Look in/around the aisle with the toolboxes, or near the drill bits. Or, if you have an Ace near you check here:
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/tools-storage-and-organization/tool-storage-bins/2198760
Really, OP - just pony up for the Bionic Wrench. You will NOT regret it 
https://www.amazon.com/Loggerhead-Tools-BW6-01R-01-Adjustable-6-Inch/dp/B000JPN2QK
I am older (62), have arthritis in my hands and messed up thumbs; ANYTHING that makes the stud thing easier is worth Every. Penny.
When I thought I would never use studs again (never say never), I gave my Bionic wrench to a student who at the time was doing T level - she just moved up to Intermediate (on a different horse) and she uses it to this day.
I have a humungous version of this somewhere - can’t say it gets much use. But a small one would be handy!
1 Like
I’ve also always used the smallest studs possible, but for the last two seasons I’ve only been using one (outside) stud per shoe. My farrier also agrees it puts less strain on the leg above and I’ve not had any issues with slippage. The other great benefit is that studding up takes HALF the time! =-)
I have on rare occasion put a stud (small grass tip or road) only on the outside hind; will try that again this weekend at Great Meadow since the footing will be hard - even with their good turf.
1 Like
Interesting…I have one of these and didn’t like it. I found it harder to use than my simple adjustable wrench. If I can find it, happy to send it to you.
I think you just find find what you like and get used too. Footing was hard and slick this weekend for us. I was glad to be able to put little grass studs in my green bean!
Maresy is only at 4-5 weeks, so the farrier didn’t want to reshoe her so soon, and neither did my check book. I was prepared to scratch this weekend if it looked bad. However, the footing was thankfully forgiving for me this weekend, though she did get a little crazy and I felt her slip on a turn on XC. She was a little less “eager” after that, which she was being a little over the top so that’s probably a good thing. Jumped the jumps, double clear in both xc and stadium.
The rest of my stud kit should arrive tomorrow. She’s at the end of the shoeing cycle, so studs here we come!
This is probably not relevant to you, OP, but for anyone else, if you have aluminium shoes you can easily re-thread them by accident and that is a real headache so try your best to make sure everything is clean and straight going in. If your shoes are direct glued, which will be aluminium, you can easily pop the seal on the glue putting the studs in too tight so go easy. I used to stud a lot for foxhunting and never used anything on the studs and also never ever lost any. We had a bunch of sad-footed horses who needed direct glues during the season and even then never lost any studs out hunting.
