Just wanted to reiterate that my experience is absolutely that pin studs DO NOT cause the sort of problems suggested by LadyFarrier.
I’ve horses in number and all done this way and I know an unsound horse from a sound one and I don’t work unsound horses. They don’t affect breakover either.
Furthermore, as is common place in the UK, we keep them sound and working well into maturity.
I’ve many over the age of 20 and all totally sound.
