A new product claims to enable competition horses to have their studs fitted safely before travelling.
Co Down horse breeder Brian Livingstonehas designed what he believes is the first stud guard of its kind. StudSafe is a protective cover that fits over normal studs and allows the hoof to stand level and balanced on hard surfaces.
Mr Livingstone says this substantially reduces abnormal stress on the pedal bone, coffin joint and navicular area. The cover pushes on and peels off.
“I experienced the problem of putting studs in at events, where horses get excited by the new venue or situation,” he told H&H.
“It can be fiddly and awkward, especially with young horses. With this, you can fit the studs at home when the horse is calm and relaxed, fit the stud guard and then travel to the show.”
Event rider Jonathan Hagan tried the StudSafe while competing this month.
“I was a bit sceptical at first, but I really liked them and will certainly use them again,” he told H&H.
“It was handy to be able to stud up before you went to the event, rather than having to do five horses when you got there. And it was great they could stand on a flat surface for the day.”
The StudSafe costs £36 per pack of two and went on sale last week.
Visit: www.studsafe.com.
This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (26 April 2012)
