EDSS

Equine Digit Support System and comprehensive instruction material has proven to be one of the most

Got a lame horse and need a digit-support system based on wild-horse hoof research?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated May 2026

Equine Digit Support System Instruction DVD for treating horse lameness, laminitis, founder and navicular

EDSS

EDSS (Equine Digit Support System)
Equine Digit Support System and comprehensive instruction material has proven to be one of the most effective tools for treating a multitude of lameness conditions and often times returning horses to a pre-disease condition.

What Makes EDSS Different?

(Equine Digit Support System)
Equine Digit Support System, Inc. is a family business that opened in 1995 in Columbia Falls, Montana. After studies on wild horses (feral horses) hoof patterns in 1986 and 1987, Gene Ovnicek developed the World Race Plate, which is now manufactured and distributed by Thoro'Bred Racing Plate Company. After several years of continued research and development, Gene designed a system for treating lower limb equine pathologies. The resulting Equine Digit Support System and comprehensive instruction material proved to be one of the most effective tools for treating a multitude of lameness conditions and often times returning horses to a pre-disease condition. In an effort to make sure that proper instruction and support was offered for the EDSS, the Ovnicek family started Equine Digit Support System, Inc. Since that time, EDSS, Inc. has continued to offer innovative products and information to help restore and maintain soundness in the domestic equine.

How Do I Know If My Horse Needs Or Could Benefit From EDSS?

If your horse routinely stumbles, forges, interferes, lands toe-first, has trouble turning or has intermittent lameness issues or just seems a bit off, there is a good chance they have some common hoof distortions that are causing these issues. Hoof capsule distortion and limited caudal hoof function is one of the primary causes for equine lameness and poor performance.

What Conditions Can Cause Problems For My Horse?

Simple hoof imbalances (either from front-to-back or side-to-side or both) cause undue stress and strain on the ligaments and tendons of the lower limb that can lead to pathology in those structures. This leads to issues with biomechanical function of the limb and horse, as well as more serious conditions like navicular syndrome, ring bone, collateral ligament strain and many more.
Are The Challenges That Horses Face Today Making It Harder On Their Hooves and Legs?
The way horses are used today and the challenging maneuvers they are asked to perform is hard on the lower leg joints and foot, as well as the soft tissue surrounding those structures. It is time that the hoof care tools and techniques are improved to meet these needs for the modern day horse. EDSS hoofcare products and information are a leader in innovation and are here to service the needs of the modern equine athlete to either help improve performance or treat lameness issues.

What If My Horse Has Founder or Laminitis, Navicular Or Ringbone— Can EDSS Help?

Yes Laminitis & Founder are conditions that require timely application of Support, Protection and Leverage Reduction to ensure that minimal damage is done to the affected structures of the foot. Regardless if these conditions are caused by cushing’s disease, equine metabolic syndrome, road founder, over-trimming, or carbohydrate overload, there are tools today that can offer support and stability to the coffin bone throughout the disease process.

The Equine Digit Support System and the EDSS/Steward Clogs are 2 of the most versatile and adjustable products on the market to help get horses from the initial onset of the condition through the final recovery stages. Navicular syndrome, ring bone, collateral ligament lesions, etc. are even more prevalent than the cases we get with laminitis. However, the goals for treatment (Support, Protection & Leverage Reduction) are similar to that of Laminitis. Each pathology or lameness issue has certain unique needs and slightly different products or product modifications we offer can be used to meet those needs and help the condition improve.

How Long Will My Horse Need EDSS Products?

Most laminitis cases take 6 – 9 months for treatment before back to a pre-disease condition. Many take less time and a few take longer, but that is average. Navicular related lameness issues can be resolved in 1 or 2 shoeings --or can take 2 years depending the severity and age of the horse and how long the condition has existed.

My Horse Has Great Feet, Can EDSS Hoof Products Help Keep My Horse’s Feet Healthy?

EDSS offers products for almost every type of horse that works in almost every type of discipline. We have shoes that are designed for treating almost every type of foot related lameness issues, as well as performance shoes designed for equine athletes like rodeo horses, hunters, jumpers, dressage, show horses, race horses and even back yard trail and pleasure horses. The hoof trimming and shoeing guidelines that are developed to enhance the use of our products are even more important than the products themselves. The hoof preparation (either for barefoot or shoes) is the key to maintaining well balanced, healthy feet that function at their optimal level.

What Products Are Available Through EDSS?

Centre Fit Horseshoes (Fronts, Hinds & Performance Hinds)
Performance Leverage Reduction (PLR) Horseshoes (Flat, Wedge, Race & Bar Shoes)
PROfile Hind Shoes
Vulcan Horseshoes (VRM & Blenkinsop)
EDSS/Steward Clogs
Glue-U Adhesives & Hoof Support Materials
DuraCornum Moisture Control System
The Equine Digit Support System (Treatment System)
“Natural Balance Hoof Care” Ultimate Pack (Book & DVD’s)

I Need Some Guidance Knowing Which Product To Buy, Can EDSS Help Me?

EDSS is available during business hours to answer questions and help guide horses owners and equine professionals towards improving performance and treating lameness in their horses. Our website offers many great resources and people can submit help forms through our website as well. We have an extensive network of farriers that we can refer people to as well that have varying degrees of experience with our products and information.

Will It Be Easy For My Farrier To Apply EDSS Products?

The application of the EDSS hoofcare products is not complicated and any farrier should be able to have success with our products. The best results will Always come from following the basic hoof preparation guidelines we offer that help farriers recognize and correct any hoof distortions that exist which may be causing lameness or performance issues.

Call EDSS Today- We Are Concerned For Your Horse’s Every Step!

The Equine Digit Support System can help both horses with lameness problems— and help prevent future problems. Our decades of experience and expertise have helped thousands of horses and we can help your horse. Call us today— tell us about your horse and your performance goals, and let our friendly, knowledgable staff answer your questions and set your horse’s hooves on the path of health and success. Call today— we’re happy to talk to you!

What is the Equine Digit Support System?

The EDSS is a versatile, adjustable shoeing system built to treat lower-limb pathologies and return lame horses toward soundness. Equine Digit Support System, Inc. describes it as "one of the most effective tools for treating a multitude of lameness conditions and often times returning horses to a pre-disease condition." It is used by farriers and veterinarians for acute laminitis, chronic laminitis, founder, navicular syndrome and disease, ring bone, and other foot-related lameness issues, and is designed so that simple, easy adjustments can be made to suit the comfort level of the horse.

EDSS Equine Digit Support System hoof care hero image

Who builds EDSS, and what is the company's track record?
Equine Digit Support System, Inc. is a U.S.-based, family-owned company founded in 1995 in Columbia Falls, Montana. It was created by Gene Ovnicek, a farrier, clinician and researcher with over 50 years of farrier experience who is recognized nationally and internationally. The company's stated mission is "to provide Equine Professionals and Horsemen with information and products designed to promote soundness through Natural Guidelines for Hoof Balance," and its tagline is "Leading the Way in Hoof Care Technology & Information!"

Dressage horse supported by EDSS Natural Balance hoof care

The wild-horse research behind the science

The EDSS grew directly out of Gene Ovnicek's field studies of wild (feral) horse hoof patterns in 1986 and 1987, work he carried forward in collaboration with Dr. Robert Bowker of Michigan State University and Dr. Barbara Page of the Equine Wellness Foundation. That research first produced the World Race Plate (now manufactured by the Thoro'Bred Racing Plate Company), then the full Equine Digit Support System. The company emphasizes proper heel trimming: "Properly trimming the heels of the foot will not only increase the length and width of the base of support to the foot, it will also help engage the frog to better support the navicular bone and coffin joint."

Barrel racing horse benefiting from EDSS performance hoof care

How the system supports a compromised hoof

EDSS combines a biomechanically efficient shoe with engineered support so weight is redistributed off damaged structures and the digit is stabilized. The adjustable design lets the farrier or vet fine-tune support as the horse's comfort improves, which is what makes it suitable for both crisis cases like founder and long-term rehabilitation. The same biomechanical principles led to the Natural Balance® Shoe, released in late 1996 for minor lameness and everyday riding use.

A product line built over 25-plus years

Beyond the core EDSS, the company has developed the Freedom Shoe, the KrosschecK™ leverage testing device, Performance Leverage Reduction (PLR) shoes, Avanti Steel PLR, Centre Fit™ shoes, PROfile™ and PROSlide performance shoes, Sole Support impression material, Natural Balance Pads, and EZ Blox™ X-ray positioning blocks. The retail catalog at ShopEDSS.com also stocks adhesives, hoof dressings, farrier tools, casting materials and diagnostic imaging tools from partner brands.

Where to learn it and how to buy

EDSS sells direct through ShopEDSS.com and shares education through EDSShoofcare.com, its YouTube channel and instructional materials. The flagship "Equine Digit Support System Instruction DVD for Treating Horse Lameness" is $10.00 and walks farriers and veterinarians through hoof preparation guidelines and system application. The company can be reached at 15860 State Hwy 115, Penrose, CO 81240, by, or by fax.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

My Horse Has Great Feet, Can EDSS Hoof Products Help Keep My Horse s Feet Healthy?

EDSS offers products for almost every type of horse that works in almost every type of discipline. We have shoes that are designed for treating almost every type of foot related lameness issues, as well as performance shoes designed for equine athletes like rodeo horses, hunters, jumpers, dressage, show horses, race horses and even back yard trail and pleasure horses. The hoof trimming and shoeing guidelines that are developed to enhance the use of our products are even more important than the products themselves. The hoof preparation (either for barefoot or shoes) is the key to maintaining well balanced, healthy feet that function at their optimal level.

I Need Some Guidance Knowing Which Product To Buy, Can EDSS Help Me?

EDSS is available during business hours to answer questions and help guide horses owners and equine professionals towards improving performance and treating lameness in their horses. Our website offers many great resources and people can submit help forms through our website as well. We have an extensive network of farriers that we can refer people to as well that have varying degrees of experience with our products and information.

What If My Horse Has Founder or Laminitis, Navicular Or Ringbone Can EDSS Help?

Yes Laminitis & Founder are conditions that require timely application of SUPPORT, PROTECTION and LEVERAGE REDUCTION to ensure that minimal damage is done to the affected structures of the foot. Regardless if these conditions are caused by cushing s disease, equine metabolic syndrome, road founder, over-trimming, or carbohydrate overload, there are tools today that can offer support and stability to the coffin bone throughout the disease process.

What Conditions Can Cause Problems For My Horse?

What is the Equine Digit Support System (EDSS)?

EDSS is an adjustable shoeing and digit-support system developed to treat a range of lower-limb lameness conditions in horses. It pairs a biomechanically efficient shoe with engineered support designed to redistribute load away from damaged hoof structures and stabilize the digit. The company describes it as one of the most effective tools for treating many lameness conditions and often returning horses toward a pre-disease condition.

What lameness conditions does EDSS treat?

EDSS is used for acute laminitis, chronic laminitis, founder, navicular syndrome and navicular disease, ring bone, and other foot-related lameness issues. Its versatility comes from being able to make simple, easy adjustments to suit the individual horse's comfort level. Both farriers and veterinarians use it in clinical and rehabilitation settings.

Who founded EDSS?

EDSS was founded by Gene Ovnicek, a farrier, clinician and researcher with over 50 years of farrier experience who is recognized nationally and internationally. He pioneered studies of wild horse hoof form and function and is the inventor behind the Equine Digit Support System and the Natural Balance shoeing approach. Equine Digit Support System, Inc. remains a family-owned company.

When and where was the company started?

Equine Digit Support System, Inc. began in 1995 in Columbia Falls, Montana. It is a U.S.-based, family-owned company. Today it operates from 15860 State Hwy 115, Penrose, CO 81240.

What research is EDSS based on?

The system grew from Gene Ovnicek's studies of wild (feral) horse hoof patterns conducted in 1986 and 1987. That work was carried forward in collaboration with Dr. Robert Bowker of Michigan State University and Dr. Barbara Page of the Equine Wellness Foundation. The same research first produced the World Race Plate before leading to the full Equine Digit Support System.

What is the company's mission?

EDSS states its mission as providing equine professionals and horsemen with information and products designed to promote soundness through Natural Guidelines for Hoof Balance. The company positions itself as a leader in both hoof care technology and education. Its tagline is 'Leading the Way in Hoof Care Technology & Information!'

How does EDSS relate to the Natural Balance Shoe?

The biomechanically efficient design of the EDSS Shoe led directly to the Natural Balance® Shoe, which was released in late 1996 for minor lameness and everyday use. The Natural Balance line subsequently expanded into a broad family of shoes and pads. Both share the underlying philosophy of supporting natural hoof balance derived from wild-horse research.

What other products has EDSS developed?

Over more than 25 years, EDSS has developed the FREEDOM Shoe, the KrosschecK™ leverage testing device, Performance Leverage Reduction (PLR) shoes, AVANTI Steel PLR, Centre Fit™ shoes, PROfile™ and PROSlide performance shoes, Sole Support impression material, Natural Balance Pads, and EZ BLOX™ X-ray positioning blocks. These cover everything from competition performance to rehabilitation and diagnostic imaging.

Why is proper heel trimming emphasized?

EDSS teaches that properly trimming the heels increases both the length and width of the foot's base of support. It also helps engage the frog so it can better support the navicular bone and the coffin joint. This trimming philosophy is foundational to how the system relieves pressure on compromised internal structures.

Where can I buy EDSS products?

EDSS sells direct through its online store at ShopEDSS.com, with educational content and product information at EDSShoofcare.com. The store stocks shoes, pads, adhesives, hoof dressings, farrier tools, casting materials and diagnostic tools. The company highlights fast shipping, reliable service, customer satisfaction and secure payments.

How much does the EDSS instructional DVD cost?

The Equine Digit Support System Instruction DVD for Treating Horse Lameness is priced at $10.00. It covers using the EDSS system to treat acute and chronic laminitis, founder, navicular syndrome and disease, ring bone and other lameness issues. The video is aimed at farriers and veterinarians to ensure they get the best hoof preparation guidelines and system application instructions.

Is EDSS meant for farriers, veterinarians, or horse owners?

EDSS is designed primarily for equine professionals, including farriers and veterinarians, who apply and adjust the system on the horse. The instructional materials are written so these professionals receive proper hoof preparation and application guidelines. Horse owners also benefit indirectly through improved soundness and the educational resources EDSS publishes.

What makes EDSS different from a standard horseshoe?

Unlike a fixed standard shoe, EDSS is a versatile, adjustable support system that can be fine-tuned as a horse's comfort changes during treatment. It is built around the goal of redistributing load off damaged structures and supporting the frog, navicular bone and coffin joint. The company emphasizes a track record of bringing new approaches, improved products, and repurposed concepts to the equine hoof care market.

How do I contact EDSS?

Equine Digit Support System, Inc. is located at 15860 State Hwy 115, Penrose, CO 81240. The company can be reached by phone at 719.372.7463 or by fax at 719.372.7272. Online, customers can use ShopEDSS.com for purchases and EDSShoofcare.com for information and training resources.

Does EDSS offer educational and training content?

Yes. Beyond products, EDSS publishes hoof care articles, info and training videos, and instructional DVDs, and maintains an active YouTube channel (EDSS Hoofcare). Its stated purpose is helping horse people be successful in hoof care through innovative information and equine products. This education-first approach reflects founder Gene Ovnicek's background as a clinician and researcher.

What is the World Race Plate's connection to EDSS?

The World Race Plate was an earlier product that emerged from Gene Ovnicek's wild-horse hoof research in the 1980s and is now manufactured by the Thoro'Bred Racing Plate Company. The continued research and development that followed it produced the Equine Digit Support System. It represents an early milestone in EDSS's lineage of natural-balance hoof care innovation.

Can EDSS help a horse recover from founder?

EDSS is specifically used for acute and chronic laminitis and founder, among other conditions. Its adjustable design allows the farrier or veterinarian to provide stabilizing support and make incremental changes as the horse becomes more comfortable. The company states the system has often helped return horses toward a pre-disease condition, though outcomes depend on the individual case and professional application.