|
| Understanding & Managing Laminitis |
|
| Laminitis is one of those hoof problems no one wants to see, but every horse owner, farrier, trainer, or vet should know it well, which is why we try to cover this condition every year with any new information that has been brought to light. In simple terms, laminitis is an inflammation of the laminae—the soft, sensitive tissues inside the hoof that attach the hoof wall to the internal bone. When those tissues are irritated, overloaded, or otherwise compromised, the horse can suffer pain, lameness, distorted hoof structure, and in severe or prolonged cases, permanent damage.
Addressing laminitis is a team effort: owners, vets, farriers, and trainers all play important roles. Often the first steps are diagnosing the condition early, reducing any triggers (diet, metabolic issues, mechanical stress), providing comfort and support to the hoof, managing pain, and ensuring proper trimming or shoeing. Soft Ride products have become a trusted tool in this process: the Ice Spa to cool the lamellae, Boots with Deep Gel Orthotics to protect the hoof and cushion against hard surfaces, and supportive boots or SoftRider Shoes to reduce concussion during movement or travel. Prevention, comfort in acute phases, and slow, correct recovery all go hand in hand. |
|
| | |
| | Laminitis is a painful and potentially serious condition in horses, involving inflammation of the laminae—the interlocking tissues that bond the coffin bone (distal phalanx) to the inner hoof wall. These laminar tissues support and suspend the bone so the horse can bear weight and move comfortably. When inflamed or weakened, they may stretch, suffer damage, or in severe cases, separate. If progression occurs, the coffin bone may rotate or sink (founder), causing hoof deformation, severe pain, and potentially long-term dysfunction.
Laminitis is not just a hoof issue—it often reflects systemic problems such as insulin dysregulation, PPID, or dietary overload. It may develop suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic). Early recognition and intervention are critical to prevent permanent damage.
During these early, critical stages, Soft Ride Boots provide immediate comfort and protection, reducing concussion on the hoof and giving horses relief while diagnostic and treatment plans are made. |
|
|
| Common Causes of Laminitis |
|
| Laminitis typically arises from underlying metabolic, nutritional, or mechanical issues. Understanding the causes helps owners reduce risks and intervene early.
Common Causes: Endocrinopathic disorders (Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance) Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID / equine Cushing’s disease) High sugar or carbohydrate diets (lush grass, grain overload) Sudden diet changes Mechanical overload or prolonged standing on hard surfaces Obesity or excessive body condition Systemic inflammation (illness, infection, endotoxemia) Heat stress or poor hoof blood flow Genetic or breed predisposition Hormonal fluctuations (seasonal ACTH changes)
For horses standing long hours on hard ground, Soft Ride Boots with Deep Gel Orthotics help reduce mechanical stress and minimize one of the key risk factors for laminitis. |
|
|
| Seasonal Laminitis: Spring, Fall, and Winter Differences |
|
| Laminitis can appear any time of year, but the triggers often change with the seasons.
In spring, lush, fast-growing grass is usually the culprit. These young grasses are rich in sugars (non-structural carbohydrates), which can overwhelm a horse’s metabolism, especially if the horse is insulin-resistant or overweight. In fall, the risk rises again when cooler nights and sunny days lead to sugar accumulation in pasture grasses. This seasonal spike in sugars, combined with natural hormonal changes such as elevated ACTH levels, makes autumn another high-risk period. “Winter laminitis” isn’t a separate disease, and in many cases it may not be true laminitis in the sense of laminar inflammation caused by metabolic overload or systemic illness. Instead, what some vets and researchers describe as “winter laminitis” is more of a laminitis-like syndrome that shows up in cold weather.
Being mindful of pasture sugars in spring and fall, and monitoring metabolic health year-round—especially in winter—can go a long way in preventing seasonal laminitis. |
|
|
| Signs & Symptoms of Laminitis |
|
| Key Signs to Watch For: Reluctance to move; shifting weight off front feet Lameness, especially in front limbs Hoof heat Bounding digital pulse Pain on hoof testers at toe Sawhorse stance (front legs stretched, hind legs back) Reluctance to stand, lying down more often Sensitivity on hard ground Flattened or dropped soles Visible hoof wall or coffin bone changes
How to Identify: Early detection is essential. Subtle signs may include reluctance to walk on hard surfaces or unusual hoof warmth. As laminitis progresses, the gait may stiffen, digital pulses become pronounced, and the horse may assume a saw-horse stance to shift weight off the toes. Monitoring hoof temperature, feeling for pulses at the fetlock, and watching for weight-shifting behavior are simple steps that can make a big difference. Soft Ride boots allow owners to provide comfort during acute and recovery phases, cushioning each step while protecting the laminae. |
|
|
| Common Treatments for Laminitis |
|
| Cold therapy (continuous hoof cooling): Immersing the hoof in ice water or using specialized products like the Soft Ride Ice Spa reduces inflammation and slows tissue damage. Pain management / NSAIDs: Medications like phenylbutazone or flunixin help control pain and inflammation while the horse recovers. Dietary management: Reducing sugars and starches, feeding low-NSC hay, and managing body weight are key for metabolic health. Mechanical support & hoof care: Correct trimming, specialized Soft Rider Shoes, or Soft Ride boots relieve pressure on sensitive areas and support the sole and frog. Treating underlying conditions: Managing PPID with medications like pergolide or addressing systemic infections or metabolic issues ensures long-term control.
Many veterinarians pair Soft Ride Ice Spas with Soft Ride Boots to manage both inflammation and mechanical comfort, offering a two-step approach to treatment and recovery. |
|
|
| | Prevention focuses on managing diet, weight, hoof care, and underlying health conditions. Horses prone to metabolic disorders should have low-sugar diets, limited access to lush pasture, and carefully managed feed changes. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition and exercise reduces risk. Regular farrier care ensures hooves remain balanced and strong. For high-risk horses, using Soft Ride boots or Ice Spas proactively can help minimize mechanical stress and inflammation. Finally, addressing conditions like PPID or insulin resistance with veterinary guidance gives your horse the best chance to stay sound and laminitis-free.
Prevention isn’t just about diet—it’s about comfort and support. Soft Ride’s line of Comfort Boots, SoftRider shoes, and Ice Spas are trusted by vets, farriers, and owners to help keep horses safe, comfortable, and performing at their best. |
|
| | | | |
| All American Quarter Horse Congress |
|
| The All American Quarter Horse Congress is recognized as the world’s largest single‑breed horse show, drawing over 20,000 entries and nearly half a million spectators across multiple weeks. The event features a vast array of competitions—from reining and cutting to barrel racing, halter, hunter, and speed classes—alongside clinics, demonstrations, and a trade show which the the sole public facing event Soft Ride attends each year. If you want to see Soft Ride boots in person or discuss your horse’s measurements with our staff look for us in the Congress Hall trade show.
Event Information:
Soft Ride Booth - 602
September 27 - October 26
Ohio Expo Center
717 East 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211
info@quarterhorsecongress.com
614-505-7200
Visit for More Information: https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/ |
|
| |
| No Laminitis! Digital Conference |
|
| The 2025 NO Laminitis! Conference, hosted virtually by the ECIR Group from October 31 to November 2, brings together leading experts to discuss the latest research and treatment strategies for equine metabolic disorders, particularly PPID, EMS, and laminitis. Featured speakers include Dr. Eleanor Kellon, Dr. David Rendle, Dr. Elaine Norton, and Dr. Robert Bowker, covering topics such as pergolide dosing, obesity-related laminitis risk, hoof biomechanics, nutrition, and emerging therapies like SGLT-2 inhibitors. The conference blends endocrinology, hoof science, and practical management tools to support veterinarians and horse owners in improving equine health.
Event Information: October 31 – November 2, 2025
Location: Virtual Conference (hosted online via Zoom)
Contact Info: Email: info@ecirhorse.org
Website: https://www.nolaminitis.org
Hosted by: The ECIR Group (Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group Inc.)
|
|
|
| American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention |
|
| The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Annual Convention, taking place December 6–10, 2025 in Denver, is the world’s largest gathering of equine veterinarians, offering over 100 hours of CE through lectures, case-based forums, and interactive sessions. The program features a diverse range of topics—such as lameness and rehabilitation, surgery, dentistry, sports medicine, reproduction, diagnostic imaging, infectious and non‑infectious diseases, and business‑practice life subjects like wellness, ethics, and social license. Highlighted speakers include renowned presenters such as orthobiologics expert Dr. Lisa Fortier delivering the state‑of‑the‑art Milne lecture, a keynote by Temple Grandin, and sessions led by imaging, lameness, and practice management authorities like Natasha Werpy, Hilary Clayton, and others.
Event Information:
Soft Ride Booth - 2351
December 6-10 Location: Denver, CO
Colorado Convention Center Exhibit Halls ABC Phone: (859)233-0147 Fax: (859)233-1968 Email: aaepoffice@aaep.org
Visit for More Information: https://convention.aaep.org/ |
|
| | |
| 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 on Facebook: Soft Ride Equine Comfort Boots Instagram: @soft.ride |
|
| | | | |
| 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." |
|
| | | |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
