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Preventing Road Founder

Road founder is a type of laminitis that occurs when a horse’s hooves are subjected to excessive concussive forces, such as from working on hard or uneven surfaces for prolonged periods. Road founder can also be caused by hoof stress during trailer travel during hot weather and on poorly maintained roads. This condition can lead to inflammation and damage in the sensitive structures within the hoof, causing severe pain and lameness. It’s most commonly seen in horses that are overworked on hard ground without proper hoof protection.

Read more in our Road Founder Newsletter:

The Spring Shed

Seasonal shedding is a natural process in horses, and understanding it can help ensure their well-being. As temperatures change, horses develop thicker or thinner coats to adapt. This process, known as photoperiodism, is influenced by daylight length rather than temperature alone. During spring, horses shed their winter coats to make way for a lighter summer coat, which helps regulate their body temperature in warmer weather. This shedding process can vary depending on factors like breed, age, and health status.

Regular grooming plays a crucial role in assisting horses with shedding, as it helps remove loose hair and promotes healthy skin and coat. It's essential to use appropriate grooming tools and techniques to avoid discomfort or skin irritation. Additionally, providing a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals supports overall coat health and shedding efficiency. Monitoring a horse's shedding patterns can also provide insights into their general health and well-being, allowing owners to adjust care accordingly. By understanding and supporting the seasonal shedding process, horse owners can ensure their equine companions remain comfortable and healthy throughout the year.

Read More about shedding and how Cushing’s Disease can affect it:

I am an independent equine nutrition consultant (Whitfield Equine Nutrition) and have my very special, 27 y.o. QH Whitley at my home farm in New York's mid-Hudson Valley. Whit and I share an extensive love story since we first met in 2010, when I was 15. We showed in the hunters and jumpers together, he came with me to college, and along to everywhere else I have moved since then. He is now fully retired and living at home with me, where I can closely manage his varied health needs. Historically he did very well in therapeutic front shoes that addressed his navicular pain, but in 2024 I struggled to keep him comfortable - except when his shoes were pulled and he lived in Soft Rides when outside of his well-bedded stall. Ultimately, with the information from an MRI regarding bone edema, I decided with the guidance of my vet that what made the most sense was what Whit's feet were telling us - he would be most comfortable with a therapeutic trim and for his outside time, Soft Rides - in addition to continued treatment from my vet. Every horse and his/her needs are different - it was essential to do the full work-up so I could feel confident in a plan moving forward. And at the center of this plan is Whit's long-term comfort and happiness - and he approaches his 28th birthday in April! The photo is of him enjoying a rare session of winter-time grass.

Gratefully,

Ofelia & Whitley ("Heez Got the Touch")

2025 Soft Ride on the Road

This weekend Soft Ride is a product for the Vet-Farrier Workshop in Orwell, Ohio featuring Farrier Jeff Brown and Dr Vicky Johnson of Cleveland Equine.

We LOVE hearing from our customers and getting updates on how your horses are doing! Please send us your story and a photo of your horse in their Soft Ride products for a chance to be featured on our social media, in an upcoming issue of our newsletter, and to be entered in a Soft Ride giveaway!

Email us here: socialmedia@srboots.com

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Soft Ride Mission

As we continue our drive to keep your horse on his feet, we've received more than 15 patents, ship to over 50 countries, and work with more than 6,000 veterinarians around the world, as well as every veterinarian school in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. And with horse owners from every discipline using our products, we can safely and proudly say, "The best in the world rely on Soft Ride."