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Hi,
We often hear many of the same great questions from horse owners, veterinarians, and farriers about how to get the most out of Soft Ride products. To help, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you missed FAQs Part 1, check on this newsletter, and come back here for FAQs Part 2.
Whether you’re using Soft Ride Boots for rehabilitation, preventative care, hauling, or everyday comfort, these tips will help ensure your horse gets the greatest benefit.
The Soft Ride Team |
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How many boots come in an order, and how many should my horse wear? |
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Soft Ride Comfort Boots are sold in pairs of two, with one boot for the right and left hoof in a contralateral limb pair (front right and left or rear right and left). Every order includes a matched pair unless “single boot” is specifically selected on the ordering page.
How many boots your horse should wear depends on the condition being addressed. Many horses only require boots on the front feet, since the front limbs carry the majority of a horse’s weight. However, in some cases—such as laminitis, recovery from injury, hauling, or full-body soreness—horses may benefit from wearing all four boots. |
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Should I use Soft Ride Boots when hauling a sound horse? |
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Yes! Many horse owners use Soft Ride Boots for trailering and travel, to keep their horses sound.
During long trailer rides, horses are standing for extended periods while absorbing road vibration and constant balancing forces. Soft Ride Boots help by: Supporting the hoof during extended standing Maintaining the natural vascular loading cycle of the hoof Reducing stocking up and soreness Dampening road vibration and concussion Helping minimize symptoms associated with road founder The deep gel orthotic also provides a layer of insulation, helping protect the hoof from heat transfer through the trailer floor when traveling on hot asphalt.
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Why are Soft Ride Boots heavier than other hoof boots? |
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Soft Ride's Deep Gel orthotic is solid urethane with no air pockets, which is why it weighs more than the foam inserts you'll find in other boots. Foam is mostly air, and under a horse's weight it gradually compresses and loses its support. Our gel orthotic responds dynamically to the hoof — moving with each step to encourage blood flow rather than just sitting passively under the foot. Solid gel doesn't bottom out, your horse gets the same cushioning and circulation benefits months into rehab as they did on day one. |
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What is the best orthotic for my horse? |
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Soft Ride also offers specialty deep-gel orthotics in addition to the standard comfort orthotic included with each boot. Designed to provide targeted support and comfort for different hoof conditions, these orthotics can help horses dealing with: Chronic laminitis Sinking or medial rotation laminitis Acute laminitis with dorsal to palmar/plantar rotation Navicular syndrome Sesamoiditis Stone bruises Abscesses Sensitive or “stingy” hooves General soreness or rehabilitation needs
Each orthotic provides a different balance of support, pressure distribution, and shock absorption. For a detailed explanation of each gel option and how they are used, we recommend reviewing our detailed orthotic guide newsletter.
If you’re unsure which orthotic is best for your horse, your veterinarian or farrier can also help determine the best support for your horse’s specific condition. |
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Can I use Soft Ride gel orthotics in other hoof boots? |
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No. Soft Ride orthotics are designed specifically for the internal structure and depth of Soft Ride Boots.
The gel insert contains enough volume to ensure the horse cannot bottom out while weight-bearing, whether standing or moving. The orthotic also includes a raised frog support, which requires the correct internal space and alignment inside the boot.
Because of this specialized design, the gel orthotics generally do not fit properly in other brands of hoof boots. |
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What designates a “large or heavy” horse? |
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In Soft Ride sizing and orthotic recommendations, a heavier horse generally refers to a horse weighing 1300 pounds or more.
These horses typically benefit from the orange or orange and turquoise dual density orthotics. The orange and turquoise dual density gel features a slightly firmer toe density in comparison with the purple and turquoise dual density orthotic. The all orange gel orthotic provides a neutral density support from toe to heel that is firmer than the all purple orthotic but softer than the standard turquoise gel. The orange gel provides additional structural support so the hoof is properly supported from heel to toe, helping prevent excessive compression of the gel under heavier loads. |
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How often should my horse be trimmed when wearing Soft Ride Boots? |
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Horses wearing Soft Ride Boots should remain on their normal farrier schedule.
Most horses benefit from trimming every 4–8 weeks, depending on hoof growth and condition. Keeping the hoof properly trimmed ensures that it continues to fit comfortably inside the boot and that the orthotic can function as intended. |
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Why are there openings on the sides of the boots? |
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Soft Ride Boots include ventilation openings beneath the straps on the medial and lateral sides of the boot.
These ventilation ports allow airflow around the hoof, helping prevent: Maintaining airflow inside the boot is important because overheating and excessive moisture can weaken the lamina and hoof structures. |
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Is there a left and right boot? |
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Soft Ride Boots are not designated as left or right.
However, because each hoof develops its own unique wear pattern, many owners find it beneficial to place the same boot on the same hoof each time. Over time, this allows the boot to conform more closely to that hoof’s shape for a slightly more customized fit. |
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Why do Soft Ride Deep Gel Orthotics have a raised frog support? |
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Soft Ride orthotics feature a raised frog support to help mimic the natural mechanics of the hoof.
This design allows the frog to load slightly before the sole, encouraging the hoof to follow its natural cyclical loading pattern. This loading pattern stimulates the hoof’s internal structures and encourages healthy circulation within the hoof capsule.
As the horse shifts weight, the orthotic helps facilitate vascular movement, allowing oxygenated blood to move through the hoof more effectively. |
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How should I store my Soft Ride Boots when they are not in use? |
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Proper storage helps extend the life of your boots and maintain their performance.
When storing Soft Ride Boots: Use a breathable gear bag or ventilated tack box Avoid airtight containers, which trap moisture Allow boots to fully dry after use, especially if used in wet conditions
For long-term storage, we recommend removing the gel orthotic from the outer boot shell. This prevents moisture from becoming trapped between the layers and helps maintain the integrity of the materials. |
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What makes the SoftRider shoe an accommodative device? |
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The SoftRider shoe is considered accommodative because it helps the hoof function more comfortably while reducing strain on sensitive structures.
Key features include: A rockered design that provides a neutral resting position with sole support Rockered breakover that helps reduce tension on soft tissues such as the deep digital flexor tendon A full-coverage platform that places the weight load on the center of the hoof and sole rather than exclusively on the outer hoof wall
This design promotes center loading of the sole which improves traction, minimizes breakover strain, and encourages healthy circulation within the hoof. |
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Why is the SoftRider shoe made with two different densities in the same shoe? |
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The SoftRider shoe uses a dual-density design to balance comfort, protection, and proper hoof mechanics.
The ground-contact layer is a softer, shock-absorbing material that helps dampen concussion from the ground. The hoof-contact layer is firmer, allowing the hoof to load and unload properly across the platform of the shoe.
This combination helps isolate ground forces while encouraging healthy circulation and natural hoof function. |
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What is in the Soft Ride Mineral Spa Treatment? |
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The Mineral Spa Treatment is a proprietary blend of: This combination helps soothe muscles and joints, support recovery, and promote healing, making it a great addition to spa or soaking treatments. |
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My dog chewed through my Ice Spa hose kit. Can I replace it? |
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Yes. Replacement hose kits are available. The Ice Spa Hose Kit includes:
These hoses connect the Ice Spa Pro to either the Soft Ride Portable Aerator or your own air compressor. The complete kit is available for $225, and the hoses can also be purchased individually if you only need to replace one component.
For individual hose replacements or specialty orders, please contact Soft Ride customer service, and our team will be happy to help. |
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Happening Right Now!NAEP Equine Hoof Biomechanics Wet Lab |
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The NAEP Regional Wet Lab is a hands-on, two-day educational experience focused on essential aspects of equine hoof biomechanics and podiatry. Designed for veterinarians, farriers, and allied professionals, this event blends expert lectures with interactive cadaver labs, case presentations, and team challenges that enhance practical skill and clinical decision-making. Registration includes CE credits and access to collaborative learning opportunities in a dynamic, supportive environment.
Event Information Location: Heritage Place Inc, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Dates: March 6–7, 2026 Contact / Registration: NAEP (info@thenaep.com; 585-205-5122)
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Rood & Riddle International Podiatry Conference |
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The 2026 Rood & Riddle International Podiatry Conference is a premier biennial gathering that unites equine veterinarians and farriers from around the globe to share knowledge, techniques, and research that shape the future of equine podiatry. This immersive three-day program includes lectures, demonstrations, and networking opportunities that deepen expertise in equine hoof care, applied biomechanics, and performance enhancement.
Event InformationLocation: Rood & Riddle Conference Center, Lexington, Kentucky Dates: April 26–28, 2026 Contact / Registration: Rood & Riddle CE portal online (registration links available on roodandriddle.com/ce)
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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 |
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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." |
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