In this podcast, Dr Gillian Tabor reviews a study on the effects of screw-in studs on equine hoof and limb kinematics during cantering and jumping on artificial surfaces. The study aims to understand the benefits and risks associated with using studs, particularly in terms of injury prevention and performance enhancement. The findings indicate that while there were no significant differences in slip distance, certain kinematic parameters were affected, leading to discussions on the implications for equestrian practices.
The study – Dunbar, T. and Morscher, S., 2025. The Effect of Screw-in Studs on Equine Hoof and Limb Kinematics while Cantering and Jumping on an Artificial Surface. International Journal of Equine Science, 4(1), pp.1-10. STUDY LINK
Discussed in this podcast:
- The study focuses on the use of screw-in studs in equestrian sports.
- Understanding hoof and limb kinematics is crucial for injury prevention.
- There is a lack of reliable scientific knowledge on stud usage.
- The study involved seven warm-blood show jumping horses.
- Kinematic parameters measured included slip distance and joint angles.
- No significant difference in slip distance was found with studs.
- The leading foreleg showed a reduction in stance duration with studs.
- The study suggests potential benefits in jumping performance with studs.
- Further research is needed to explore the effects of different stud combinations.
- The findings contribute to the limited knowledge on using studs in equestrian sports.
Dr Gillian Tabor is MSc ResM MCSP HCPCreg, a Chartered Physiotherapist, Cat A member ‘Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy and has lots of great help and advice for horse owners – check out all of her work here – Dr Gillian Tabor
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Transcription
Here is a transcription of the podcast. (Please note this is an automated transcription, so we apologise for any errors from the original podcast.)
Research Review: The Effect of Screw-in Studs on Equine Hoof and Limb Kinematics on Artificial Surfaces
Hello, this is Gillian Tabor, physiotherapist, and I’m here with another research review for the Animal Web podcast. This time, it’s a study on the effect of screw-in studs on equine hoof and limb kinematics while cantering and jumping on an artificial surface.
If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere and an eventer, you might be working towards your first event and considering adding stud holes to your horse’s shoes. This is often done to improve traction on grass surfaces, but this study focuses on their use on artificial surfaces.
In previous webinars and podcasts, I’ve reviewed stud use, discussed related research, and interviewed experts in the field. However, this is an area with limited research despite the widespread use of studs in eventing, polo, showing, and show jumping. The key concern is whether studs reduce or increase the risk of injury, making this study particularly interesting.
The study is open access, and the full article link is available in the notes and on the website.
Understanding the Study
The introduction explains why we might use studs—to reduce slippage. Currently, stud choice is largely anecdotal, based on personal experience or advice from coaches and peers, as there isn’t enough scientific data to guide decisions. There is also some evidence that studs could contribute to injuries. For example, during the 2004 Olympic Games, some horse injuries were linked to the interaction between studs and competition surfaces.
Interestingly, a small amount of hoof slip is beneficial, as it helps absorb impact forces. Previous research comparing rubber shoes, metal shoes, and barefoot conditions suggested that rubber shoes might provide too much grip, which could be a concern.
Key Considerations for Stud Use
- Stud size matters: Longer studs may not be as effective in deep, muddy conditions as people assume. They may be more useful on firmer, slippery ground.
- Artificial surfaces and slip: While artificial surfaces are generally more stable, some riders may still feel their horses slipping.
The Study’s Hypothesis
The null hypothesis was that using a bi-axially placed screw-in stud would not alter hoof and limb kinematics in horses cantering and jumping on a sand and fibre surface.
How the Study Was Conducted
- Seven warmblood show jumping horses were used, ridden by the same rider each time.
- Studs were applied to both front and hind shoes (20mm studs in the hind, 16mm in the front).
- Horses were tested both with and without studs in a randomized order.
- The study took place in an outdoor arena with a harrowed surface.
- A 120cm high, 1m wide oxer fence was used, with markers to standardize takeoff points.
- High-speed video cameras recorded the trials, capturing joint angles, hoof slip, and overall movement.
While the study used 2D motion analysis instead of the gold-standard 3D motion capture, the high frame rate of the video cameras should have provided accurate data.
Key Findings
- Slip Distance: There was no significant difference in slip distance during canter, takeoff, or jump landing between the studded and non-studded conditions.
- Stance Duration: A significant reduction in stance duration was observed in the leading forelimb during jump landing when studs were used.
- Jump Kinematics:
- The hind fetlock angle at takeoff significantly decreased by nearly six degrees with studs.
- Takeoff angle increased in the studded condition.
- Elbow angle during suspension was reduced.
- Landing distance from the fence increased by 0.3 meters with studs.
Discussion and Implications
The authors suggest that the lack of significant slip differences could be due to the artificial surface’s stability. This could mean that the surface itself provides enough grip, reducing the necessity of studs.
The reduction in leading forelimb stance duration is interesting, as it may affect the horse’s braking force upon landing. More research is needed to determine if this increases the risk of injury.
The study highlights some potential performance benefits of studs, such as:
- Increased takeoff angle
- Higher limb clearance
- Landing further from the fence
However, one key question remains: would the results change if only the hind shoes were studded? Additionally, the stud choice was based on industry norms—different stud configurations might produce different outcomes.
Conclusion
The study rejected the null hypothesis, confirming that screw-in studs do influence limb kinematics, particularly by reducing stance duration in the leading forelimb during jump landing.
However, canter kinematics were largely unaffected. Some jumping performance parameters appeared to improve with studs, including takeoff angle, limb clearance, and landing distance.
This study adds valuable insights into stud use, especially given the limited research in this area. It certainly raises important considerations for choosing stud size and placement based on the surface type.
As the paper is open access, I encourage you to read the full text. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the findings further, please get in touch.
