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Horseshoe caulks or studs improve a horse's balance and grip over uneven or slippy terrain, allowing the animal to move better and jump more confidently in poor footing. Screw in calks are most often seen in speed sports like show jumping.
Screw-in studs are often longer and sharper than permanent caulks (also known as caulkins) and thus are removed when the horse is not working. The hole for the stud is plugged with cotton, rubber plugs, or a stud blank so dirt does not ruin the threads of the hole. Due to risk of injury, horse are not shipped in studs or left unattended with studs screwed in.
Pointed studs, such as grass studs or pointed bullets are generally placed only on the outside of the shoe, so the horse is less likely to cut himself should his foot hit one of his legs. Road studs can be used on the inside or outside of a shoe. However, the shoe should have some stud on the inside of the shoe; without it, there will be a twisting motion on the foot, which can cause a loss of shoe, and possibly strain the legs. Most riders place smaller studs on the front feet, because the horse, being a "rear-engine" animal, generally requires more traction behind.
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