StudFast® is the very first and only non-metal stud to come to the equine marketplace and Old Mill Saddlery are delighted to be the first stockist in all of Ireland.

Eleanore Kelly, Founder of StudFast is a former elite event rider who competed to 4* before becoming a sports journalist. She came up with the idea for a safer stud after reporting at a women’s football match and noting that they used polymer studs. After it was explained to her that at most levels of football metal studs were banned due to the risk of injury being so much higher and with her own experience of stud injuries to horses, she felt compelled to develop a safer non-metal stud. 

“Horse sport is never going to come without risks but we can certainly strive to reduce those risks to horse and rider. Safe, simple, studs might sound like the unicorn of horsemanship but StudFast® is exactly that” says Eleanore. “We set out to revolutionise screw-in studs to improve welfare, safety and efficiency. To us, it no longer makes sense to have a large chunk or ‘spike’ of metal protruding from a horse shoe. It may provide grip but it is also a potential weapon. Since launching in August, it seems that a great number of riders, trainers, grooms and parents already agree with us. Our studs jumped clear around Burghley with 5* event rider Nicky Hill, who is also entered for Badminton and will be wearing the studs. We have now sold studs to a number of 4 and 5* eventers and showjumpers as well as Pony Club parents, polo players and even some Swedish riders who use them for turnout on snow.”

Why is it better that metal?

StudFast is a highly innovative impact-resistant patented polymer stud which is safer than traditional studs because it reduces the chances of laceration in its profile and composition. The material is softer and less jarring than metal, thus less likely to cause joint injuries. Due to this elasticity in the polymer, they should also be easier to apply than your rusty metal studs with no risk of damaging the thread hole by cross-threading. They are significantly lighter too and with our signature orange, much easier to find when you drop them in the grass. StudFast has proved popular with riders of all ages and competing from grassroots to 5* and high-goal polo players.