Eventing
Eventing is the most demanding discipline for farriery because the horse must perform in three phases — dressage, cross-country, and show jumping — each with different traction requirements, on a body that must remain sound across all of them.
← Back to Shoeing by Discipline
Three Phases, Three Traction Requirements
Dressage phase: Moderate traction on predictable arena footing. Rim shoes or standard fullered shoes without studs are typical. Some horses compete dressage in aluminum to demonstrate lightness of movement. Cross-country phase: Maximum grip on varied natural terrain — grass, mud, woodland, ditches, water complexes. Aggressive studs are standard; many riders fit 4-hole stud shoes that allow studs at both heel and toe positions for cross-country. The shoes are checked and studs changed immediately before the cross-country start. Show jumping phase: Similar to a standalone show jumping competition — rim shoes or stud shoes with appropriate studs for the day's arena footing. Many eventers run all three phases in the same shoes with stud changes, though some choose different shoes for cross-country.
- Dressage: Rim or standard shoe, no studs or small road studs
- Cross-country: 4-stud shoes or aggressive 2-stud setup; long studs for deep going
- Show jumping: Medium studs appropriate to arena footing
- Stud management: Studs changed between phases — a groom task in preparation
Cross-Country Specific Concerns
Cross-country at the upper levels (CCI4*-L / 5*) involves galloping at speeds up to 570 meters per minute over fixed obstacles on natural terrain. A shoe that comes off on course is a crisis — it can cause injury to horse or rider, or elimination. Shoe security on a cross-country horse is therefore paramount. Clips are standard — toe clips on all four feet at minimum, quarter clips on the hinds where landing forces are greatest. Some eventing farriers also use an additional screw or clip at the toe on the hinds to provide extra security at the maximum landing impact point. Horses competing at water complexes face additional risk — wet hooves are softer and hold nails less securely. Many farriers increase nail count to 6–8 nails (vs. standard 4–6) on cross-country horses.
- Nail count: 6–8 nails per shoe on cross-country horses vs. standard 4–6
- Clips: Minimum toe clip on all four; quarter clips on hinds recommended
- Water hazards: Wet hooves hold nails less securely — increased nail count compensates
- Pre-competition check: Shoes should be reset or at minimum checked within 2 weeks of competition
- Emergency kit: Course riders and grooms carry a hoof pick and bell boot at minimum