Ice Spa by Soft-Ride

Ice Spa by Soft-Ride, Inc, (makers of Soft-Ride Comfort Boots) are a one-of-a-kind combination

Want an ice-therapy spa for your horse's hooves and legs without paying spa-clinic prices?

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

Soft-Ride Ice Spa Pro 17-inch equine ice therapy boot on a horse's lower leg

Ice Spa by Soft-Ride

Ice Spa by Soft-Ride, Inc.

Ice Spa by Soft-Ride, Inc, (makers of Soft-Ride Comfort Boots) are a one-of-a-kind combination of an Ice Therapy and Spa! Why spends thousands for a spa for your horses when Ice Spa can give you the same benefits?

Soft-Ride, Inc, Makes State-of-the-Art Hoof and Leg Care Possible For All Horse Owners!

No company is more concerned with the comfort and health of both hooves and legs likeSoft-Ride, Inc! The horse’s hoof is a marvel of anatomical engineering. Designed to carry horses swiftly and efficiently over long distances at speeds sufficient to escape predators, a horse's hoof is also one of its most vulnerable body parts.

A healthy hoof can easily support a horse, even though hundreds of pounds of force press on each square inch of hoof tissue with every step. But when the hoof is injured or diseased, the horse must compensate its posture, weight bearing, and even head and neck position to attempt to relieve pressure on painful areas. More weight is put on the “good” hooves, as the horse tries to compensate for pain.

Soft-Ride Comfort Boots and Ice Spa Therapy are a solution for simple management of foot lameness and help witih leg problems in horses. The gel orthotic “cushion” molds to the bottom of the hoof, providing firm contact with the frog and dissipating harmful vibrations. Use a standard hoof knife or rotary tool to contour the orthotic to ensure a good fit and maximum comfort for the horse.

Because Everything Is Riding On Those Legs and Hooves, Make Sure Ice Spa Is There To Help!
The Ice Spa Therapy boot is 21-inches tall and can be used on fore and hind legs. It is tall enough to cover the knee and hock on smaller horses and can be used for post-workout/performance recovery. Because of it’s smaller size, the Therapy provides superior comfort when following long icing protocols for laminitis and sepsis. The 21-inch height allows a horse to move around and even lie down in the stall
Can Help With...

Laminitis
Splints
Suspensory Ligaments Injuries
Tendon strains
Sprains
Surface Wounds Resulting in Swelling
Any condition requiring a cold spa treatment

So, How Is Ice Spa Therapy Like A Spa Treatment?
Unlike so many Ice Boots which just contain water and Ice, the Ice Spa Therapy boot is fully aerated and use of our Spa Mineral packs with Himalayan and Epsom Salts can give your horse the full "Spa" treatment. Thus drastically escalating the effectiveness of the cold therapy. Your horse will love the soothing bubbles and you'll love the way it works!

About The Ice Spa Therapy Boot Design
Years of testing and effort by qualified horse people went into the design of the State-of-the-Art Boot.

* Our comfortable neoprine leg over wrap keeps ice and water contained, without chafing. Your horse can move and even lay down if necessary.

* Two heavy-duty, waterproof zippers seal the Ice Spa and make it easy to put on and take off. The zippers also allow the boot to be completely opened for cleaning and drying. (Each Ice Spa ships with a container of zipper sealant with applicator brush and a zipper lubricant samof.

* A flexible line drains water from the Ice Spa while it is still on the horse, allowing more ice to be added as needed.

* The Ice Spa’s drain line also doubles as a fluid level indicator. Color-coded marks show how much soothing ice water is in the Ice Spa and help ensure you’re icing as much—or as little—of the leg as you want.

* Our unique hoof retention collar comfortably and securely holds the foot in place and prevents your horse from stepping out of the Ice Spa.

* Just like Soft-Ride boots, all Ice Spas include a specially designed Gel Orthotic. When a horse shifts its weight, it loads and unloads the gel and creates a pumping action that circulates ice water through the orthotic channels, helping to cool the entire foot. The gel orthotic also provides comfortable support, even during long duration therapy such as the 72-hour protocol for acute laminitis or post-colic surgery.

Why Spend Thousands on a "Spa" When You Can Have Ice Spa Therapy For Only $495?
These are NOT just any "ice boot", these are actual SPA Therapy Boots designed for Ice or just Cold Water-- whatever you decide. Fully aerated, and with spa mineral packs available, you will never find anything to compare to the amazing technology, comfort -- and most of all- Results that Ice Spa Therapy boots have to offer. Please call and order yours today!

What makes the Ice Spa Pro a true cold-immersion system?

The Ice Spa Pro from Soft Ride, Inc. lets you immerse a horse's hoof and lower leg in an ice bath that actually moves. Unlike static bucket icing, an air hose connects to a compressor or to Soft Ride's portable aerator and bubbles the water continuously, and because moving water cools faster than stagnant water the boot reaches therapeutic temperatures more effectively. A padded gel retention sleeve secures above the knee or hock, so the horse can lift and shift its feet while the boot stays in place. The Ice Spa Pro 17" carries a 17-inch cooling column and is priced at $675.

Soft-Ride Ice Spa channeled gel orthotic with grooves that cool the hoof frog

Who builds the Ice Spa, and who stands behind it?
Soft Ride, Inc. of 626 Grand Ave., Bacliff, TX 77518 makes the Ice Spa as a companion to its well-known Soft-Ride Comfort Boots and gel orthotics. The therapy boot was co-designed with Dr. James Belknap of Ohio State University, who has documented its clinical use in laminitis cases. Dr. Joe Stricklin, a 38-year equine practitioner, endorses Soft Ride for "every type of performance horse," and farriers and trainers report reaching for the Ice Spa almost daily for routine recovery work.

Soft-Ride Ice Spa padded gel retention sleeve that secures above the knee or hock

How does the channeled gel orthotic protect the frog?

Inside each Ice Spa sits a specialized channeled gel orthotic with grooves cut into its surface. Those grooves allow cold water to flow under the hoof and cool the frog directly, while blocking potentially damaging ice chunks from wedging beneath the foot. The orthotic is sold separately as a replacement part, priced at $75 for the 17" and $55 for the 15". This is the same supportive gel philosophy behind Soft-Ride Comfort Boots, which "reach into the crevices of a horse's foot and massage the frog."

Bottom view of the Soft-Ride Ice Spa Pro boot showing the cooling column base

What conditions does cold therapy actually help?

Cryotherapy, or digital hypothermia, is widely used to limit laminar damage during the developmental stages of laminitis, and Dr. Belknap describes cold immersion as a frontline therapy for the disease. Soft Ride positions the Ice Spa for laminitis, sepsis, hoof injuries, and post-performance inflammation, and notes that severe laminitis protocols can call for up to 72 hours of continuous icing. Beyond crisis care, riders use the boot routinely after hard workouts and competition to speed recovery and keep legs tight.

Which sizes and accessories complete the system?

The Ice Spa Pro comes in 15" and 17" versions, with the 17" suiting roughly a 25-inch leg length. Soft Ride offers a full accessory line: the Ice Spa Portable Aerator ($600) and the timer-equipped Portable Aerator Pro ($1,200), an Ice Spa Hose Kit with a 20' clear connector hose and 14' coiled aerator hose ($225), an Aerator Flow Valve ($75), drying racks ($115, extra hooks $25), and replacement insulation sleeves and neoprene leg overwraps ($95 for 17", $75 for 15"). A Mineral Spa Treatment blend of Himalayan pink salt, Dead Sea salt, and magnesium sulfate runs $10 for a single pack up to $415 for a 50-pack.

How do you order or get fitting help?

Soft Ride sells the Ice Spa and accessories directly through its shop at softrideboots.com. Reach the company toll-free, internationally, or by. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm EST, and the team can help match the 15" or 17" column and the right compressor or aerator setup to your horse and barn.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

What is the Ice Spa by Soft-Ride and how is it different from a regular ice boot?

Ice Spa by Soft-Ride, Inc. (makers of Soft-Ride Comfort Boots) is a one-of-a-kind combination of an ice therapy and a spa. Unlike many ice boots that just contain water and ice, the Ice Spa Therapy boot is fully aerated, and with the use of Spa Mineral packs containing Himalayan and Epsom Salts it can give your horse the full "Spa" treatment, drastically escalating the effectiveness of the cold therapy.

How tall is the Ice Spa Therapy boot and where can it be used?

The Ice Spa Therapy boot is 21 inches tall and can be used on fore and hind legs. It is tall enough to cover the knee and hock on smaller horses, can be used for post-workout and performance recovery, and the 21-inch height allows a horse to move around and even lie down in the stall.

What conditions can the Ice Spa help with?

The Ice Spa can help with laminitis, splints, suspensory ligament injuries, tendon strains, sprains, surface wounds resulting in swelling, and any condition requiring a cold spa treatment. Because of its smaller size, the Therapy boot provides superior comfort when following long icing protocols for laminitis and sepsis.

How does the gel orthotic in the Ice Spa work?

Just like Soft-Ride boots, all Ice Spas include a specially designed gel orthotic. When a horse shifts its weight, it loads and unloads the gel and creates a pumping action that circulates ice water through the orthotic channels to help cool the entire foot, while also providing comfortable support even during long-duration therapy such as the 72-hour protocol for acute laminitis or post-colic surgery.

How do I keep the water level right and add ice while it's on the horse?

A flexible line drains water from the Ice Spa while it is still on the horse, allowing more ice to be added as needed. That drain line also doubles as a fluid level indicator, with color-coded marks that show how much ice water is in the Ice Spa to help ensure you are icing as much or as little of the leg as you want.

How much does the Ice Spa Therapy boot cost?

The Ice Spa Therapy is offered for $495. These are not just any ice boot but actual spa therapy boots designed for ice or just cold water, fully aerated and with spa mineral packs available.

What is the Ice Spa by Soft-Ride?

The Ice Spa is an equine cold-immersion therapy boot made by Soft Ride, Inc., the makers of Soft-Ride Comfort Boots. It surrounds a horse's hoof and lower leg in an ice-water bath and circulates that water with air, giving the same recovery benefits as an expensive standalone spa at a fraction of the cost. It is used for both crisis hoof care and everyday post-workout recovery.

How does the Ice Spa actually cool the hoof?

The boot holds ice water around the hoof and lower leg, and an air hose connects to a compressor or aerator to keep the water moving. Moving water cools faster and more evenly than stagnant water, so the boot reaches and holds therapeutic temperatures more effectively than a standing ice bucket. A channeled gel orthotic in the base routes cold water directly under the foot to cool the frog.

What is the channeled gel orthotic for?

The channeled gel orthotic sits in the bottom of the Ice Spa and has grooves cut into it. Those grooves let cold water flow beneath the hoof to cool the frog while preventing potentially damaging ice chunks from getting wedged under the foot. It is also sold as a replacement part, priced at $75 for the 17-inch and $55 for the 15-inch size.

What sizes does the Ice Spa Pro come in?

The Ice Spa Pro is available in 15-inch and 17-inch versions, named for the height of the cooling column. The 17-inch model is suited to roughly a 25-inch leg length. Choosing the right column height helps the boot fully immerse the hoof and pastern while the gel retention sleeve secures above the knee or hock.

How much does the Ice Spa Pro cost?

The Ice Spa Pro 17-inch is priced at $675. Accessories are sold separately, including the channeled gel orthotic ($75 for 17-inch, $55 for 15-inch), replacement insulation sleeves and neoprene leg overwraps ($95 for 17-inch, $75 for 15-inch), and aerator units. For current pricing on all sizes, check the shop at softrideboots.com or contact Soft Ride directly.

What conditions is the Ice Spa used to treat?

Soft Ride positions the Ice Spa for laminitis, sepsis, hoof injuries, and general inflammation, as well as routine post-workout and post-competition recovery. Cold therapy, also called cryotherapy or digital hypothermia, is widely used to limit laminar damage in the developing stages of laminitis. The boot also serves as everyday maintenance to keep performance horses' legs tight and comfortable.

Is cold therapy really effective for laminitis?

Dr. James Belknap of Ohio State University, who helped design the boot, has documented cold immersion as a frontline therapy that decreases laminar injury during laminitis. Cryotherapy is recognized for reducing the damage of the laminae when applied early enough to be prophylactic. Severe laminitis protocols can call for up to 72 hours of continuous icing, which the Ice Spa is built to deliver.

Can the horse move while wearing the Ice Spa?

Yes. A padded gel retention sleeve secures the boot above the knee or hock, so the horse can lift and shift its feet while the boot stays in place. This removes the stress and risk of traditional bucket icing, where horses must stand still in a tub of ice. It makes prolonged icing protocols far more practical to carry out.

Do I need an air compressor to use the Ice Spa?

An air source is what circulates the water for the full spa effect. You can connect the Ice Spa to a personal air compressor (a minimum of about 3.5 HP and 135 psi) using the Aerator Flow Valve, or use Soft Ride's own Portable Aerator. The moving, aerated water cools the leg faster than still water for a more effective treatment.

What is the difference between the Portable Aerator and the Aerator Pro?

The Ice Spa Portable Aerator ($600) is a convenient treatment unit for the barn or for traveling, though it does not include hoses or the aerator attachment. The Portable Aerator Pro ($1,200) is a compact model with a built-in timer and automatic shut-off, and it includes hoses and a GFI adapter plug, running on 110v 60Hz. The Pro is the more turnkey, hands-off option for daily use.

What accessories are available for the Ice Spa?

Soft Ride offers a full accessory line: the Ice Spa Hose Kit with a 20-foot clear connector hose and 14-foot coiled aerator hose ($225), an Aerator Flow Valve ($75) for connecting personal compressors, drying racks ($115 with extra hooks at $25), replacement insulation sleeves and neoprene leg overwraps, the channeled gel orthotic, and the Portable Aerators. There is also a Mineral Spa Treatment for soaking.

What is the Mineral Spa Treatment made of?

The Mineral Spa Treatment is a proprietary blend of Himalayan pink salt, Dead Sea salt, and magnesium sulfate, designed to soothe muscles and aid recovery when added to the soak. It is sold as a single pack for $10, a 7-pack for $60, or a 50-pack for $415. It turns the cold soak into a more complete therapeutic spa treatment.

What is the neoprene leg overwrap for?

The neoprene leg overwrap helps prevent ice and water from spilling out of the top of the boot during treatment. It is a wear part that can be replaced as it ages, priced at $95 for the 17-inch and $75 for the 15-inch. Keeping the seal tight helps the boot maintain its cold-water level and therapeutic temperature.

How should I dry and store the Ice Spa after use?

Soft Ride sells an Ice Spa Drying Rack ($115, with additional hooks at $25) that hangs the boot upside down for thorough drainage. Proper drying prevents mold and mildew and extends the life of the boot and its gel components. Letting the boot fully dry between uses keeps it sanitary for repeated therapy sessions.

Who is Soft Ride, Inc. and where are they located?

Soft Ride, Inc. is the maker of Soft-Ride Comfort Boots, gel orthotics, and the Ice Spa, located at 626 Grand Ave., Bacliff, TX 77518. The company specializes in hoof and leg care that makes state-of-the-art therapy affordable for all horse owners. Their products are co-developed with veterinarians and endorsed by farriers, trainers, and competitors.

How do I order an Ice Spa or get fitting help?

You can buy the Ice Spa and accessories directly through the shop at softrideboots.com. To get help choosing the 15-inch or 17-inch column and the right compressor or aerator setup, call toll-free at 855-763-8743, internationally at 281-334-2576, or email [email protected]. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm EST.