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The Solution Section (FAQ)
What is a Soft-Ride Equine Comfort Boot and how does it help my horse?
The Soft-Ride Equine Comfort Boot is a therapeutic hoof boot with a tough outer shell and a removable, washable gel orthotic insert. The gel cushion molds to the bottom of the hoof, providing firm contact with the frog and dissipating harmful vibrations, while the shell gives the horse a "rocker" base of support. It is designed to deliver support, protection, and comfort for horses dealing with hoof discomfort.
Can Soft-Ride boots help a horse with laminitis or chronic lameness?
Yes. Soft-Ride boots are a solution for simple management of foot lameness problems, including discomfort caused by chronic lameness and especially painful laminitis. They also support horses rehabilitating from injury, surgery, or disease, and help reduce tension on strained tendons and ligaments. The boots can be used with or without shoes.
What sizes do Soft-Ride boots come in, and how do they stay on?
The boot is made in ten generous sizes to fit all breeds, sizes, and ages of horses. It slips on and off easily and stays snug with sturdy Velcro™ straps. You can use a standard hoof knife or rotary tool to contour the gel orthotic for a good fit and maximum comfort.
Which orthotic insert density should I choose?
A Soft-Ride Standard-Density orthotic insert is included with the purchase of every Comfort Boot. Interchangeable orthotic inserts are available in 4 densities, plus a new dual-density insert, so you can change the density level to fine-tune the boot. This lets you adjust support for therapeutic needs that change as the horse's condition changes.
Are Soft-Ride boots useful for trailering and travel?
Yes. Riding on Soft-Ride gel orthotics isolates turbulence and vibrations so horses arrive more rested and ready to perform, with less travel stress. Equine veterinarians and trainers use them for long hauls the way you'd use a standing support bandage to protect the limbs. The boots also provide transport protection and pre- and post-workout support.
Can Soft-Ride boots help a horse standing on hard stall floors?
Yes. Modern show facilities increasingly use easy-to-clean asphalt and concrete stall flooring, which is hard on hooves and joints. The Soft-Ride deep gel orthotics let the horse make subtle weight shifts by loading and unloading the gel, which aids natural blood circulation in the hoof while standing. They are also useful during breeding and foaling seasons and on hard ground or rough terrain.
Do veterinarians and trainers recommend Soft-Ride boots?
Yes. Veterinarian Alan Donnell, DVM, of Equine Sports Medicine recommends using Soft-Rides to support and protect the feet during general transportation, the same way you'd use a standing support bandage on the limbs. Six-time NRHA World Champion Brian Bell reports that after long hauls his horses stepped off the trailer fresher and with more energy when using the Comfort Boots.
How do I order Soft-Ride Equine Comfort Boots?
You can reach Soft Ride, Inc. directly by phone at 866-763-8743 or by email at
[email protected] to order or to ask which boot and insert combination fits your horse's needs. Visit https://www.softrideboots.com/ to see the ten available sizes and the range of orthotic insert densities.
What are Soft Ride Equine Boots used for?
Soft Ride Comfort Boots are removable, soft-sided hoof boots designed to keep horses comfortable while stabled, transported, or recovering from injury. Built around a thick gel orthotic insert, they protect healthy unshod hooves and provide therapeutic support to horses with conditions like laminitis, navicular syndrome, abscesses, and stone bruises. They are also widely used by veterinarians and farriers during rehabilitation.
Who makes Soft Ride boots?
Soft Ride boots are made by Soft Ride, Inc., based at 626 Grand Ave., Bacliff, TX 77518. The company produced the original, patented 'boot for horses' and has since expanded its gel-orthotic technology into the SoftRider shoe and the Ice Spa cryotherapy line. You can reach them at 855.763.8743 (US) or
[email protected].
How does the Soft Ride gel orthotic work?
The patented gel orthotic insert is a 'deep gel' that conforms to and supports both the sole and the hoof wall, reaching into the crevices of the foot to massage and support the frog. As the horse moves, the gel cyclically loads and unloads the hoof, which stimulates blood circulation and reduces pressure on damaged laminae. Raising the frog encourages centered, uniform loading across the entire foot.
What conditions do Soft Ride boots help treat?
Soft Ride boots and specialty orthotics are used to comfort horses with chronic laminitis, sinking or medial-rotating laminitis, acute laminitis with dorsal-to-palmar rotation, navicular syndrome, sesamoiditis, stone bruises, abscesses, stinging hooves, and support-limb laminitis. They are also used for general hoof-health maintenance and recovery. The removable specialty inserts let owners adjust the level of support as a horse heals.
How much do Soft Ride orthotics cost?
Standard turquoise orthotics are $85 per pair, and the five specialty densities are $110 per pair. Comfort Boots are sold in pairs and include standard orthotics — sizes 2 through 7 ship with standard turquoise orthotics, while sizes 8 through 10 include a pair of purple orthotics. Boot prices vary by size.
What are the six gel densities and how do I choose?
Soft Ride offers orthotics in six densities: Standard Turquoise plus five specialty options (Purple, Orange, Purple/Turquoise, Orange/Turquoise, and Orange/Yellow). The Purple/Turquoise gel is ideal for laminitic horses; Orange/Turquoise suits larger, heavier laminitic horses or cases needing a reduced hoof angle to relieve tendon tension; and Orange/Yellow combines firmer orange cushioning on the front half with the softest yellow gel on the rear. A vet can help match the density to the horse's specific condition.
What sizes do Soft Ride boots come in?
Soft Ride offers a wide range of boot sizes including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, with numerous Narrow and Long variations such as 2 Narrow, 3 Long Narrow, 5 Narrow Long, 6 Narrow Long, and 7 Narrow Long. Orthotics are likewise available in 18 sizes. Narrow boots are a specialty product and must be purchased over the phone.
Are Soft Ride boots sold individually or in pairs?
Soft Ride Comfort Boots are sold in pairs and come with a matching pair of standard gel orthotics included. The Ice Spa Pro, by contrast, is sold as a single unit suitable for either a fore or hind leg. For sizing help, especially with Narrow boots, the company recommends calling 855.763.8743.
What is the SoftRider shoe?
The SoftRider is a patented dual-density, center-loading shoe that places load on the center of the hoof rather than just the outer wall, supporting the entire foot. It comes in models including the Gel Max (higher convex profile, 0–19 degree breakover, for laminitic and navicular horses) and the Gel Arena (low profile, aggressive tread, 0–9 degree breakover, for sound and performance horses), plus Carbon Fiber Arena and Draft Carbon Max variants. It can be screwed, nailed, or glued to the hoof by a farrier or veterinarian.
How does the SoftRider help laminitic and navicular horses?
The SoftRider's dual-density construction isolates the concussive force of ground impact, increases blood flow to the hoof, and reduces strain and pressure on the coffin bone and navicular region. Its center-loading design lets the horse find comfortable footing by rolling fore-and-aft and side-to-side, easing tendon strain. Veterinarian Bobby Boyd reported, 'Within four or five days, she became as good as she had been in five years with SoftRiders.'
What is the Ice Spa Pro and what does it do?
The Ice Spa Pro 17" is an equine cryotherapy boot designed to deliver cold therapy to the hoof and lower leg. It features a channeled gel orthotic with grooves that circulate cold water around the hoof and frog while preventing ice chunks from damaging tissue. Cold therapy is a critical part of early laminitis management because it reduces inflammation, slows metabolic damage, and protects the laminae — and it also speeds post-competition recovery.
How much does the Ice Spa Pro cost?
The Ice Spa Pro 17" is priced at $675. Accessories include a replacement Channeled Gel Orthotic (17") at $75, a Removable Insulation Sleeve (17") at $95, and a Neoprene Leg Overwrap (17") at $95. An optional Mineral Spa Treatment ranges from $10 to $415 depending on pack size.
Why is icing important for laminitis?
Cryotherapy is one of the few interventions shown to limit laminar damage in early laminitis. According to Dr. James Belknap of Ohio State University, getting the hoof wall down to the temperature needed for hypothermia reduces laminar damage, and he describes the approach as 'the only effective therapy for laminitis.' The Ice Spa Pro is built to deliver and maintain that cold therapy around the hoof and frog.
Can Soft Ride boots be used on healthy horses?
Yes. Although equine practitioners recognized the boots' therapeutic value, Soft Ride boots were originally created to keep healthy horses comfortable in the stall and during transport, and to protect the unshod hoof. They are popular for stabling, trailering, and turnout, as well as therapy and recovery, making them useful for both compromised and sound horses.
What makes Soft Ride boots different from leather-collar boots?
Soft Ride boots use a fabric-padded collar that the company describes as 'far superior to boots with padded collars in leather,' along with side openings that allow airflow and venting. Most importantly, they are built around the patented interchangeable gel orthotic that supports the sole and hoof wall and massages the frog — a feature standard hoof boots lack. The gel can be swapped for different densities as a horse's needs change.
Do real horse owners recommend Soft Ride boots?
Yes. Captain Robichaux wrote, 'This is the only boot I have ever found that helped a foundered horse... We went from a horse that could not even walk to one that's running in the pasture when he wears his boots!' Liz Showalter reported that her 24-year-old Arabian with Cushing's laminitis regained mobility, and Yaffa Chudnow said, 'Your boots are largely responsible for my horse not only being alive but enjoying her life today.'
How do I order Soft Ride products or get fitting help?
You can order Soft Ride boots, gels, the SoftRider shoe, and the Ice Spa line directly at softrideboots.com or by phone. Call 855.763.8743 in the US or 281.334.2576 internationally, or email
[email protected]; phone hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am–5pm EST. Because Narrow boots are a specialty item and gel density matters for therapeutic cases, calling the team for sizing guidance is recommended.
