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Hoof Health

The Hoof in Action

The horse’s hoof is a marvel of anatomical engineering. Designed to carry horses swiftly and efficiently over long distances at speeds sufficient to escape predators, a horse's hoof is also one of its most vulnerable body parts.

A healthy hoof can easily support a horse, even though hundreds of pounds of force press on each square inch of hoof tissue with every step. But when the hoof is injured or diseased, the horse must compensate its posture, weightbearing, and even head and neck position to attempt to relieve pressure on painful areas. More weight is put on the “good” hooves, as the horse tries to compensate for pain.

Supporting injured or diseased hooves with special horseshoes has always been the first line of treatment to correct injury or disease. However, as a horse’s condition progresses, or as the hoof grows, shoes cannot adapt with the changing hoof. For some conditions, horseshoes may need to be removed frequently for treatment, radiography, or MRI images.

Enter the Soft-Ride Equine Comfort Boot

Soft-Ride boots are a solution for simple management of foot lameness problems in horses. The gel orthotic “cushion” molds to the bottom of the hoof, providing firm contact with the frog and dissipating harmful vibrations. Use a standard hoof knife or rotary tool to contour the orthotic to ensure a good fit and maximum comfort for the horse.