| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | remove the studs. You can use a regular |
| Studs, Caulks or Calks are metal devices that are | | | | adjustable wrench found in most toolkits, although |
| screwed or driven into the bottom of your | | | | over time the wrench may wear the edges of |
| horse's shoes. By protruding from the bottom of | | | | your studs, making them difficult to use. There |
| the shoe, they can help to provide traction over | | | | are also a number of special wrenches made |
| muddy or deep footing, such as sand, and help | | | | specifically for horse studs. Even if you use a |
| your horse jump more confidently. | | | | purpose-made wrench, it is probably not a bad |
| Before using studs, holes are "tapped," or drilled, | | | | idea to have an adjustable one too. |
| into both heels, and sometimes the toes, of the | | | | A box to keep everything in one place! Studs |
| horse's shoe. Obviously the size of the hole must | | | | have a notorious "homing" instinct and will |
| accommodate the stud and generally in the US, | | | | disappear at the smallest opportunity. If you don't |
| farriers will tap a hole that supports a 3/8" | | | | capture them in a box, you will never find them |
| diameter stud. Therefore, unless you have a | | | | again next time you need them. |
| special requirement for a smaller hole, such as a | | | | Rags or a small sponge. For removing oil or |
| pony with very small feet, you should try to stick | | | | grease from your studs (assuming you oiled and |
| with 3/8' studs. | | | | stored them correctly the last time you used |
| The first time you ride your horse with studs you | | | | them) Studs are definitely slippery when greasy |
| should fit him with some small road studs and let | | | | and will jump on this opportunity as part of their |
| him walk around unmounted for a while to get | | | | escape plan! |
| used to the new feeling (this does not mean turn | | | | The following items are also nice to have: |
| him out in a field with studs in - horses should | | | | A magnet for your arm or a magnetic dish. |
| never be turned out in studs!) | | | | This is useful for keeping steel studs in one place |
| Here are some simple rules for using studs. These | | | | while you work and will reduce the possibility of |
| relate to "screw-in" studs rather than "drive-in" | | | | your studs escaping! |
| studs because screw-in studs are by far the | | | | Rubber or cotton plugs or blanks. Most people |
| most commonly used types. | | | | put plugs in their stud holes when they are not |
| Do's: | | | | using studs. This keeps the holes clean. There are |
| ALWAYS use studs in pairs, with one on | | | | rubber and cotton plugs and also metal stud |
| each side of the hoof. | | | | blanks. If you use cotton plugs, soak them in oil to |
| ALWAYS use small, blunt studs on the inside | | | | prevent the holes rusting. Stud blanks are metal |
| of your horse’s shoes. A large, pointed | | | | screw-in plugs. If you use these, you will also need |
| stud can injure him. | | | | a.... |
| ALWAYS put protective leg boots on your | | | | Blank Wrench or Flat-Head Screwdriver. A |
| horse when riding in studs. | | | | Blank Wrench is an Allen Key and is inserted into |
| ALWAYS put studs in just before you will be | | | | the stud blank to screw the blank in and out of |
| riding and remove them as soon as possible | | | | the stud hole. Some stud blanks are designed to |
| afterwards. | | | | be inserted and removed using a Flat Head |
| ALWAYS use the smallest stud you can, | | | | Screwdriver instead of a Blank Wrench. |
| considering the conditions. While slipping is | | | | Stud cleaner and lubricant. Your studs will last |
| dangerous for your horse, a little slipping is much | | | | much longer if you clean and grease them after |
| better than jarring your horse's legs with huge | | | | use. Many people wrap them in an oily rag for |
| studs. Try to find a stud that allows a little slipping, | | | | storage, or you can use a product such as |
| but not so much that your horse's balance will | | | | WD-40. Pretty much anything that repels water |
| suffer. Studs should be selected that will sink fully | | | | will work. There are also specially made stud |
| into the ground; otherwise they will unbalance the | | | | cleaners available on the market. |
| foot. | | | | Putting Studs in |
| ALWAYS try to have someone help you by | | | | Ideally you should take a lesson from your farrier |
| holding your horse when you are putting studs in, | | | | or trainer before attempting to put studs in |
| especially if you will be using a Tee Tap (see | | | | yourself. Make sure you and your horse practice |
| below). | | | | at home, until you can put them in and take them |
| ALWAYS be very careful if you have a | | | | out easily, before using them at a competition. |
| horse that is likely to kick out at other horses or | | | | If your horse has plugs in his stud holes you will |
| people. If you have such a horse, try to limit the | | | | need to remove these first with your horseshoe |
| amount of time you use studs. | | | | nail or other implement. |
| Dont's: | | | | HINT: It is a good idea to take the plugs out, |
| NEVER turn your horse out with studs. | | | | clean the holes and replace the plugs before you |
| NEVER leave your horse unattended in a stall | | | | leave for a competition. There is nothing more |
| with studs. | | | | frustrating than not being able to remove a plug |
| NEVER trailer your horse with studs. | | | | when you only have 10 minutes until you should |
| NEVER use studs if your horse is lame. | | | | be warming up your horse! |
| NEVER put yourself in a position where a | | | | Next you will need to clean out the stud hole with |
| horse with studs in can step on you. It is very | | | | whatever tool you have chosen. Make sure that |
| easy to break a toe this way, even in riding | | | | you remove all traces of dirt and debris. Putting |
| boots. | | | | studs into dirty stud holes can ruin the threads on |
| Your Stud "Toolkit" | | | | your horse's shoes. |
| Ahead of time, you should assemble the following | | | | Then (unless you are using self-tapping studs) you |
| items: | | | | will need to tap the stud hole with a Safety Tap |
| A selection of studs. Remember that | | | | or Tee Tap. Unless you have a very quiet, |
| depending on the footing, you might not use the | | | | experienced horse and are experienced with |
| same studs on the inside and outside of your | | | | studs, we recommend using a Safety Tap. |
| horse's shoes, or you could use different studs on | | | | Basically, you will place the end of the Tap into |
| the front than the back shoes (there is more on | | | | the stud hole and screw it into the hole. Another |
| this subject at our website ). | | | | benefit of a Safety Tap is that you can't screw |
| A horseshoe nail or some type of flat but | | | | the Tap in too far and potentially bruise your |
| pointed "pick" to remove stud plugs. Screwdrivers | | | | horse's hoof, which is possible with a Tee Tap. |
| are generally not suitable as they tend to be too | | | | HINT: Self-tapping studs are a new option where |
| "fat" to fit between the plug and the shoe. | | | | the stud has a special thread that will clean the |
| A stud hole cleaner. This is used to remove | | | | threads on your horse's shoes as you insert it. |
| any debris from the stud hole. Some people use | | | | Because they are new, these studs are more |
| the horseshow nail for this, but there are many | | | | expensive than traditional studs, but as long as |
| specially-designed tools that will work faster. | | | | you don't lose them, they could be a great |
| A tap of some type. This is used to clean | | | | timesaving investment. |
| and sharpen the edges of the threads your farrier | | | | Now you can insert the studs. Begin by screwing |
| drilled into the stud holes. There are many types | | | | them in by hand and finally make them nice and |
| on the market. The traditional type is a Tee Tap | | | | tight with your wrench. Be sure that you don't |
| or T-Tap, so named because it is the shape of | | | | over-tighten them so that you can't undo them |
| the letter "T". Recently round "Safety" Taps have | | | | after you finish riding! |
| become available on the market. These are safer | | | | When you are finished riding, remove the studs, |
| because if your horse steps down on a Tee Tap | | | | plug the holes and store the studs in some form |
| it can cause an injury whereas a Safety Tap is | | | | of oily rag or plastic bag with a water repellent - |
| less likely to cause a problem because it is flat | | | | any kind of oil, grease or WD-40 will work. Make |
| and shaped like a hoof. There are some | | | | sure you keep some rags or a sponge on hand to |
| self-tapping studs starting to come onto the | | | | wipe up the grease! |
| market that should remove the need for a | | | | Put your studs back in their box - if you don't |
| separate Tap, however it is still a good idea to | | | | they WILL escape!!! |
| keep a Tap on hand. | | | | And don't forget to have a great ride! |
| A wrench. This is used to tighten and then | | | | |