A stud chain is the chain end of a horse lead that is often wrapped over a horse’s nose threaded through the halter rings. It puts pressure on the sensitive parts of the horse’s face, making the animal more aware of the handler’s signals. If it is used too harshly, it can damage the horse’s nose. Used in a jerky fashion, it can frighten a horse and cause it to fight or rear.
Also called a “stallion chain”. It gives a handler more leverage to handle a difficult horse. It is sometimes seen in the show ring because it allows a handler to communicate more subtly with a horse under lead.
It can be used over the nose, under the chin, through the mouth (mouth chaining is most severe and universally discouraged).
Also called a lead shank.
see Shanks