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Soft Ride on the Road Recap |
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Hi << Test First Name >>,
Soft Ride has always believed in the value of continuing education. We’re proud to support and attend industry-leading events like those hosted by IGNITE for Equine Athletes and the National Alliance of Equine Practitioners (NAEP), where top veterinarians, farriers, and equine professionals come together to share practical, science-based insights.
In this issue, we’re taking you inside these recent events—highlighting key takeaways focused on hoof care, biomechanics, and distal limb support, and what they mean for the comfort, soundness, and performance of your horse.
The Soft Ride Team |
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Ignite: 3rd Annual Sports Science Seminar |
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The 3rd Annual Olympic Sports Medicine Seminar brought together leading veterinarians, farriers, therapists, and performance specialists to explore the latest in equine sports science. A key area of focus throughout the day was the critical role of the hoof and distal limb in performance, soundness, and long-term horse health.
As a sponsor, Soft Ride was proud to support an event that emphasized evidence-based approaches to protecting and supporting the equine athlete from the ground up. |
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The Hoof: Foundation of the Equine Athlete |
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Across multiple sessions, one message was consistent: The hoof is not just a structure—it is the foundation of movement, load distribution, and injury prevention. Speakers emphasized that proper hoof care directly influences:
Even small imbalances at the hoof level can have significant downstream effects on joints, tendons, and ligaments. |
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Shoeing & Hoof Care as Biomechanical Tools |
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During the “Shoeing for Success” workshop, experts highlighted how modern farriery goes beyond basic trimming and protection. Key takeaways included: Shoeing and trimming directly influence how forces travel up the limb Adjustments to hoof balance can help manage stress on the distal limb Hoof care decisions should be based on individual horse needs, discipline, and workload
The session reinforced that farriery is an integral part of a horse’s performance and soundness program, not a standalone service. |
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Supporting the Distal Limb |
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The seminar also explored how hoof care ties into lower limb support and injury prevention, particularly in high-performance horses.
In sessions focused on rehabilitation and conditioning, speakers emphasized: The importance of managing load through the hoof to protect soft tissue structures The relationship between hoof balance and strain on tendons and ligaments The need for thoughtful support strategies during both training and recovery
Proper support of the distal limb was presented as a combination of hoof care, conditioning, and external support when appropriate. |
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Rehabilitation & Recovery Considerations |
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In workshops addressing tendon recovery and rehabilitation, the hoof was identified as a key factor in: Controlling load during healing Supporting safe return to work Reducing risk of re-injury
Speakers reinforced that mechanical support and controlled loading are essential components of effective rehab programs. |
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The Bigger Picture: Hoof × Surface × Performance |
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Another important theme throughout the seminar was the interaction between:
This relationship plays a major role in: Shock absorption Traction Injury risk
Understanding this interaction helps guide better decisions for training, competition, and daily management. |
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A Team-Based Approach to Hoof Care |
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One of the strongest messages from the event was the importance of collaboration.
Optimal outcomes come from a team approach, including: Veterinarians Farriers Therapists Trainers and riders
Working together ensures that hoof care decisions align with the horse’s overall health, workload, and performance goals. |
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Key Takeaways for Horse Owners |
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For horse owners and caregivers, the seminar reinforced several practical points: Hoof care is foundational to soundness and performance Small changes in hoof balance can have big effects on the entire limb Supporting the distal limb is essential during both training and recovery Collaboration between professionals leads to better outcomes for the horse
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NAEP Equine Hoof Biomechanics Wet Lab |
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The NAEP Equine Hoof Biomechanics Wet Lab brought together veterinarians, farriers, and equine professionals for a two-day, hands-on educational experience focused entirely on hoof biomechanics, podiatry, and distal limb health.
As a sponsor, Soft Ride supported an event that emphasized practical, collaborative approaches to improving soundness and performance—starting at the hoof. |
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Core Focus: The Distal Limb as a Mechanical System |
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The foundation of the wet lab began with a keynote lecture:
“Foundations of Distal Limb Biomechanics” – Dr. Ramon Batalla
This session established a central theme carried throughout the event:
The hoof and distal limb function as an interconnected mechanical system that directly influences load, movement, and injury risk.
Key points included: The hoof is the primary interface with the ground, determining how forces enter the limb Biomechanics of the distal limb influence tendon strain, joint loading, and overall movement efficiency Small changes in hoof balance can significantly alter how forces are distributed up the leg
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Shoeing & Hoof Care: Managing Mechanics and Load |
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Lectures directly addressed shoeing strategies and hoof care in performance and pathology |
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Managing the Long Toe / Low Heel & Negative Palmar Angle |
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Dr. Scott MorrisonThis session focused on one of the most common and impactful hoof issues in performance horses. Covered topics included: Identification and management of long toe–low heel conformation Understanding negative palmar angle and its effect on limb mechanic Approaches to restoring more appropriate hoof balance
Key takeaway: Hoof capsule alignment directly affects how load is applied to the distal limb and associated soft tissues. |
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Navicular Disease: Diagnosis & Management |
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Dr. Scott MorrisonThis lecture connected hoof care directly to chronic distal limb pathology.
Focus areas: Diagnosing issues within the navicular region Combining medical and mechanical management strategies The role of hoof balance and shoeing in reducing stress on affected structures
Key takeaway: Mechanical management through the hoof is a critical component of managing chronic lameness conditions. |
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Management of the Club Foot |
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Dr. Ramon BatallaThis session addressed structural hoof deformities and their long-term implications.
Topics included: Evaluation of club foot conformation Strategies for mechanical management and support Considerations for maintaining function and comfort
Key takeaway: Consistent, appropriate hoof care is essential to managing conformational challenges and maintaining usability of the limb. |
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Hands-On Wet Labs: Applying Hoof Science in PracticeA major strength of the event was its hands-on format, allowing attendees to directly apply lecture concepts.
Wet Lab Stations Included:
Participants worked through: Mechanical evaluation of the hoof and limb Practical approaches to hoof balance and support Application of shoeing and podiatry principles in real-world scenarios
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Distal Limb Support in Rehabilitation & Performance
Throughout both lectures and labs, a consistent theme emerged:
Managing load through the hoof is essential for protecting the distal limb.
This was reinforced through: Key concepts included: The relationship between hoof balance and strain on tendons and ligaments The importance of mechanical support during rehabilitation Adjusting hoof care strategies based on stage of injury or performance demands
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Team-Based Podiatry: Real-World Problem SolvingOne of the most unique components of the event was the:
Team-Based Podiatry ChallengeParticipants were given a cadaver limb and tasked to:
This exercise reinforced: |
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A Collaborative Approach to Hoof Care |
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The NAEP wet lab strongly emphasized that optimal outcomes come from a team-based approach, combining:
The wet lab format itself is designed to strengthen this collaboration and improve clinical decision-making for the horse. |
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Key Takeaways for Horse Owners |
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For horse owners and caregivers, the event reinforced several important principles: Hoof balance directly impacts the entire distal limb Conditions like long toe/low heel and navicular disease require mechanical management, not just treatment Proper hoof care plays a major role in injury prevention and rehabilitation Supporting the hoof means supporting the entire horse
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Soft Ride is proud to support educational events like this that advance understanding of hoof biomechanics, protection, and performance, helping horses stay comfortable, sound, and performing at their best. |
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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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