Posted by katie hill on December 04, 2003 at 12:31:50:
My horse usually wears aluminum shoes and is turned out every day in the winter, not in ice but in all other conditions here in northwest Connecticut. He is worked six days a week in an indoor sand arena; his stall is rubber matted with a lot of shavings, and he spends almost no time on cement. My farrier suggested very small carbide screw-in studs, to be left in between shoeings (every four weeks). Everything I've read says that the studs must be taken out when the horse isn't turned out, but my barn manager said she's never had a problem with small studs left in. My ex-racehorse feels very comfortable in aluminum and I like how it creates breakover in the sand arena and how well he moves. However, it's impractical for me to remove and replace studs each day. My horse's soundness is my primary concern. Are there any conditions under which the studs could stay in -- or do I have to use steel shoes with borium? If so, how much borium is necessary and where? Thanks in advance for any feedback!