How should I care for my StudFast® studs? Try to avoid abrasive surfaces like concrete, tarmac and gravel, where possible. This will cause more wear to your StudFast® studs. As is the case with metal studs, it is not great for your horse, it unbalances the natural footfall and they are more likely to slip. If you have no option, go slowly. We advise cleaning your studs after each use, as mud and grit might cause wear to the threads when you next try to apply them. The good news is that it does not matter if they are left in a bucket of water for a week because they can’t rust! When applying your studs, be careful not to overtighten with a wrench as this could damage the thread and make it more prone to snapping or causing it to ‘spin’ in the hole. However you need to make sure the stud is in correctly and flush to the shoe. An exposed thread could also weaken it. You don’t need oil to lubricate the holes or the studs either. How long do they last? This depends on several factors – the size and weight of your horse, whether you ride on abrasive surfaces and how your horse is shod. Whatever studs you use, Studfast recommend asking your farrier to ‘countersink’ your stud holes. The nature of polymer is that it is a softer and more malleable material than traditional studs. This makes it easier to apply but also less hard-wearing. If you have to ‘force’ a stud in then there is no chance you will cross- thread the stud hole with StudFast, as can happen with metal. Cross-threading often results in the stud not going in correctly and the farrier having to remove the shoe to rethread. With StudFast studs, whilst you won’t damage the stud hole, you can wear the thread of the stud more easily. If this happens we advise replacing it for competition use. As with any stud, StudFast recommend cleaning your stud holes out as well as you can, as this will protect the thread and mean more uses. However, if the studs do not come into contact with abrasive surfaces and are threaded correctly in stud holes that have been cleaned out properly, your StudFast studs should last many uses. After three years of testing on a number of ground conditions, we estimate that they should last between two and six uses. Unlike metal studs, they don’t rust and owing to our vivid orange brand colour identity, they are much easier to find when you drop them in the long grass or mud. Whilst StudFast have not experienced breakages in their trials, after frequent use, their materials expert suggest that they may be more prone to snapping at the base. In the unlikely event that a stud snaps on the first use then StudFast will offer a replacement. Please contact us at info@redpostequestrian.co.uk. What surfaces can you use StudFast on? StudFast studs are suitable for most terrains including grass, mud and artificial surfaces used in arenas or on takeoff and landing spots. StudFast also say you can use them to travel and they have seen no damage to rubber floors or ramps during there trials. Perfect if you have a horse who is difficult to handle in a competition environment. How are they sustainable if they don’t last as long as metal studs? As well as safeguarding horses and riders, protecting the planet is important to StudFast and Redpost, alongside making a premium product. StudFast use an advanced and patented material to make the product, which is made from scratch to give it the incredible properties it offers to make StudFast so unique. The good news is that StudFast studs are biodegradable and they can also be recycled to make other products. You will need to send it back to StudFast rather than popping it in the green bin. StudFast lower the carbon footprint by being totally British. Their studs are manufactured 25 miles from StudFast HQ near Southampton. All StudFast packaging is made in the UK and fully recyclable. Shop Now The post StudFast® Care Guide first appeared on Redpost Equestrian Blog.