SoftRider Draft Carbon Max

Hello,

Soft Ride, a leading innovator of products that promote horse hoof health, has developed three Warmblood and Draft sizes of the next-generation horseshoe: the SoftRider Draft Carbon Max. The Draft Carbon Max shoe takes the technology introduced in the SoftRider Carbon shoes and SoftRider Gel Max shoes, combining both to make a shoe large and durable enough for large warmblood and draft horses.

The SoftRider Draft Carbon Max shoe provides a dual density, center loading design that supports the entire hoof. The dual density material  isolates concessive ground force at the upper plate to protect the hoof and skeletal structure from ground impact force. The firmer, base plate material supports the cyclical circulation of the hoof by allowing the frog and sole to load against the shoe platform while weight bearing and unloading, providing a space cavity that encourages blood into the hoof capsule. The softer, ground contact portion of the shoe dampens concussive force against the ground.

SoftRider Draft Carbon Max shoes are perfect for long-term use on draft and large warmblood horses. SoftRider shoes have been tested at top veterinary hospitals across the country and are now available for anyone to purchase.

Soft Ride Team

Technical Features of the

SoftRider Draft Carbon Max

• Forward breakover wedge potential from neutral resting position up to 19 degrees allows the horse to unload the deep digital flexor tendon quickly which reduces strain on the distal limb ligaments and tendons. Makes lame horses more comfortable and protects compromised lamena and coffin bone

• The Rockered Toe reduces forward breakover strain by easing tendon stressors and allowing a laminitic horse to move through their stride less painfully and with enhanced natural conformation

• Highest convex profile allows for maximum shock absorption when moving across hard surfaces which helps dampen the impact of each step

• Designated Neutral resting position under the weight bearing surface of the sole allows the horse to select their most stable resting position

• Dual Density Design allows for the most support and shock absorption for a lame horse in the softer ground contact polymer. The firmer black polymer plate protects from ground forces against the sole and increases circulation potential by allowing for loading and unload of the sole

• Center loaded shoe allows the horse to spread weight across the entire sole dispersing the load over the hoof, not just the perimeter, thus reducing painful leverage on soft tissues and relieve weight bearing stress on the hoof wall

• Enhances circulation by allowing the sole to load and unload against the center loaded platform

• Infused Carbon Fiber provides structural support and longevity on the ground contact wear surface

• Eases Medial/Lateral Force: Rockered breakover unloads the distal limb ligaments and tendons more quickly resulting in less loaded force extension

• Nailing/Casting Edge: The elevated edge enables a practitioner to temporarily mount the SoftRider with casting tape. It can be also shaped with a rasp for a custom fit and features nail location guidelines.

• Shock Absorbing Base Material: The SoftRider's shock absorbing base helps dampen the impact of each step for performance horses and yearlings or aged horses.  

• Eases Tendon Stressors: The SoftRider's design helps ease the strain on tendons and lessens the pull on ligaments.

• Protects the Lamina: Reduced forward breakover allows the deep digital flexor tendon to unload more quickly and painlessly, causing less counter pull on the coffin bone

• Work and Riding Benefit: The SoftRider's patented design spreads the load over the entire hoof, not just the perimeter, thus reducing painful leverage on soft tissues.

SoftRider Carbon Max Draft Sizing Chart

How are SoftRider Shoes sized?

SoftRider shoes are sized like traditional aluminum keg shoes. Soft Ride offers sizes 000-8 depending on style. If you are unsure of the appropriate keg shoe size, measure the hoof the same way indicated for the traditional Soft Ride boots and use those measurements to match against the size chart.

What is the difference between a SoftRider and a regular horseshoe?

The SoftRider shoe is a center-loading shoe, which means it takes the weight that usually rests solely on the hoof wall and distributes it across the entire hoof. The base of the shoe rests directly against the sole. This allows for loading and unloading of the sole (just like the Gel Orthotic in a Soft Ride Comfort Boot), which stimulates circulation throughout the hoof and leg when standing or moving. SoftRiders also allow multi-directional breakover, which minimizes ligament and tendon strain when moving in any direction.

How are SoftRiders Applied?

SoftRiders can be nailed, cast, glued, or nailed on like a traditional shoe by a vet or farrier. In most cases, they will first wrap the shoe in place to assure proper placement. They will then will mark nail locations that are most beneficial to the horse. They’ll remove the shoe to pre-drill nail holes and then nail the shoe like a traditional shoe. Finally, they will seal the back of the shoe with farrier silicone (or a similar material), leaving an open cavity in front of the frog to allow for loading and unloading of the hoof sole.

Watch the following links for application:

Nailing: Mark Silverman Talks SoftRiders, SoftRiders featuring Craig Doolittle

Casting: Stuart Muir NAEP SoftRider Demonstration

Eugene Church, Farrier, and a draft patient in SoftRider Draft Carbon Max

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  

Tag us: Facebook: Soft Ride Equine Comfort Boots

Instagram: @soft.ride

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."