We are heading fast towards winter and that means stud season when it comes to training. Studs are essential in slippery conditions, but did you know that at the same time they place extra strain on the horse’s tendons and joints? Studs give good grip in training, but they also reduce the natural sliding of the hoof at the end of the step.
Additionally, in winter the horse spends a large part of the day sheltered in the stable, whether it’s a stall or an open shelter. Therefore, the quality of the bedding and the amount used have a direct impact on hoof and leg health.
Careful shoeing, regular exercise on different surfaces and good stable hygiene are the best ways to keep your horse’s legs healthy.
Everything is wet everywhere
A wet stall, shelter or paddock floor is one of the biggest risk factors. Moisture + dirt = the perfect environment for bacteria and fungal infections. The most common is thrush, but white line disease and other hoof problems also become more common.
If the horse constantly stands in wet conditions, the horn tissue begins to soften, the heel and the hoof wall lose their firmness and the risk of cracks increases. In this case, shoes also do not stay attached as well.
Especially in the stall, wetness combined with manure and urine increases the level of ammonia, which irritates the skin and hooves, reduces air quality and worsens possible respiratory problems. In addition, the horse does not like to lie down in wet bedding, so it rests less and recovers more poorly. Without sufficient rest, the horse may also become irritable and tired.
Effect of different surfaces
The surfaces on which the horse is exercised significantly affect how the legs are loaded. A varied but good training surface supports overall leg health.
Moving with a horse in winter is a bit of an art form, as sometimes there are beautifully snowy days and at other times the roads and arenas turn almost to concrete. When the surfaces harden, the normal “rolling” of the hoof decreases. This results in greater stress on the joints, increased pressure on the hoof and a higher risk of tendon and joint irritation.
A wet, soft, sinking surface loads the legs differently than, for example, a frost-hardened road. The horse’s leg sinks with every step, the tendons and ligaments do more work, and if this continues for a long time, it can cause overuse injuries. In paddocks this is typical especially in spring and autumn.
A wet, muddy or uneven surface in the paddock increases the risk of slipping. Slipping can cause sprains, strains, muscle stiffness and even twisting injuries, which are difficult to recover from.
Studs and fibre footing = not good
In freezing weather, training with riding horses is moved to the arena whenever possible. High-quality fibre footing already provides excellent grip, but adding studs on top of that makes the grip excessive. When studs dig into the fibre at different depths, grip may vary from step to step, making movement unstable.
When riding on fibre footing, stud use should be avoided whenever possible. When the movement of the hoof stops abruptly at every step, repeated impacts are directed at the joints, which in the long run can cause inflammation or overuse injuries. The step cannot “give in” as intended but stops suddenly. This increases twisting load on the joints and tendons, especially on the fetlock, suspensory ligament area and hocks.
When using studs, it is advisable to choose the smallest and lightest studs possible, as they provide enough grip but do not restrict natural movement. Studs should be removed as soon as conditions no longer require them. Regular stretching and exercising on soft surfaces during stud season can help prevent injuries.
In winter it is especially important to monitor the temperature and reaction of the tendons after exercise. Warm, sensitive legs may be a sign of excessive load.
If you have forest trails, snowy tracks, an arena or field roads available, you should vary the surfaces according to the day. This balances the load and does not strain the same leg structures.
All in all, studs and fibre footing do not belong together.
