Every Horse Deserves Soft Ride Boots

All Soft Ride products are designed to work in a multifaceted way. Each product can be used as protective, preventative care to avoid injury or fatigue in sound horses as well as be used in rehabilitation environments for horses that have suffered from an injury or medical condition. Soft Ride hoof boots are widely recommended by veterinarians and farriers for rehabilitation — including laminitis, navicular syndrome, abscesses, and post-surgical recovery.

Soft Ride boots are equally valuable for everyday preventative care. Many horse owners use therapeutic horse boots during hauling and trailering to reduce road vibration, limit stocking up, and protect against road founder. Sound horses benefit too, especially during extended standing or long-distance travel.

The Deep Gel™ Orthotic inside Soft Ride boots is engineered to mimic the hoof's natural loading mechanics. It features a raised frog support that allows the frog to load slightly before the sole, which encourages the hoof's natural cyclical loading pattern. This stimulates internal vascular hoof structures and promotes healthy circulation, allowing oxygenated blood to move more effectively through the hoof capsule with each step. It is not passive padding — it actively supports the vascular function of the hoof.

To learn more about how Soft Ride’s Deep Gel™ Orthotics are designed for circulation, shock absorption, and supported hoof comfort read our orthotics article.

The answer depends on why your horse is wearing therapy horse boots.

Because horses naturally carry approximately two-thirds of their body weight on their front end, the front hooves are often the first priority when providing therapeutic support and comfort. For many horses, a pair of Soft Ride Boots on the front hooves is sufficient to help cushion impact, support the hoof, and improve comfort during recovery or periods of increased stress.

However, there are situations where all four hooves may benefit from support. Horses experiencing any injury on the rear hooves or legs, whole-body soreness, systemic laminitis, fatigue associated with hauling, post-surgical recovery, or conditions affecting multiple limbs may be more comfortable wearing Soft Ride Boots on all four feet. Likewise, horses that travel frequently or participate in demanding activities may benefit from additional support behind, depending on the recommendations of their veterinary and farrier team.

Soft Ride Boots are sold in pairs and are designed to be used together as a set of two or four. The best choice for your horse depends on the condition being addressed and your horse's individual needs.

Therapeutic hoof support is designed with a different purpose than performance riding hoof protection. Rather than prioritizing streamlined construction or minimizing materials, the focus shifts to cushioning impact, supporting vulnerable tissues, redistributing pressure, and helping horses remain comfortable enough to stand and move appropriately throughout recovery. The Soft Ride Deep Gel™ Orthotic is constructed from a resilient, non-crushable urethane designed to dissipate and redistribute concussion rather than concentrate it. The density of this dynamic orthotic is the primary difference between Soft Ride boots and other types of hoof boots with or without lighter foam inserts. Because foam compresses and bottoms out over time, gradually losing its protective value. Our solid gel responds dynamically with each step, encouraging blood flow and maintaining consistent support from the first day of rehab to months later.

Soft Ride therapy boots for horses are designed with ventilation openings on both the medial and lateral sides beneath the straps. These ports allow consistent airflow around the hoof, helping prevent excess heat buildup, moisture accumulation, and conditions like thrush. Proper airflow matters because overheating and trapped moisture can weaken the lamina and hoof structures — the very things therapeutic horse boots are meant to protect.

Soft Ride orthotics are specifically designed to work with the internal shape and depth of Soft Ride Boots. The Deep Gel™ insert provides enough volume to provide shock absorption between the hoof and the ground while weight-bearing without compressing enough for the hoof to contact the ground with jarring force. Additionally, the raised frog support is engineered to align correctly within the boot to engage the vascular hoof capsule.

Soft Ride boots for horses come with the standard comfort orthotic included which provides support, pressure distribution, and shock absorption. Soft Ride also offers several specialty Deep Gel™ orthotics designed for different conditions including chronic or sinking laminitis, navicular syndrome, and other hoof injuries or diseases. For heavier horses (generally 1,300 lbs or more), firmer dual-density options provide the additional structural support needed to prevent excessive gel compression inside the horse boot. Your veterinarian or farrier is the best resource for matching an orthotic to your horse's specific anatomy and diagnosis.

Because of this specialized design, Soft Ride orthotics generally do not fit properly in other brands of hoof boots, and non Soft Ride inserts are not designed to provide the same therapeutic support inside Soft Ride Boots. For the intended fit, function, and comfort, Soft Ride Boots and orthotics should always be used together. Soft Ride boots for horses come with the standard comfort orthotic included which provides support, pressure distribution, and shock absorption. Soft Ride also offers several specialty Deep Gel™ orthotics designed for different conditions including chronic or sinking laminitis, navicular syndrome, and other hoof injuries or diseases. For heavier horses (generally 1,300 lbs or more), firmer dual-density options provide the additional structural support needed to prevent excessive gel compression inside the horse boot. Your veterinarian or farrier is the best resource for matching an orthotic to your horse's specific anatomy and diagnosis.

Soft Ride also provides a detailed explanation of each gel option and how they are used. To learn more please read our orthotics newsletter.

Soft Ride Boot maintenance is easy and straightforward. Remove the orthotics regularly to check for and brush out any dirt, bedding, or debris. At this time the boots can be examined for any unusual wear patterns that may require accommodates like cuffing to increase their longevity. The boots and orthotics should be disassembled and washed periodically with mild soap, water, and a scrub brush, especially before storage or after prolonged exposure to urine. Allow all components to dry completely before reassembling or storing them. Regular cleaning helps maintain proper fit, maximize comfort, and extend the life of your Soft Ride Boots.

Store Soft Ride Boots in a breathable gear bag or ventilated tack box — not an airtight container, which traps moisture. For prolonged storage, remove the gel orthotic from the outer horse boot shell. This prevents moisture from becoming trapped between the layers and helps both components maintain their integrity over time.

Horses wearing Soft Ride therapy horse boots should stay on their normal farrier schedule — typically every four to eight weeks, depending on hoof growth and condition. Keeping the hoof properly trimmed ensures a comfortable fit inside the therapy horse boot and allows the orthotic to function as intended. Soft Ride therapeutic horse boots are designed to complement professional hoof care, not replace it.

Most horse hoof boots are designed primarily for trail riding or protecting barefoot horses on rough terrain. Soft Ride therapy boots were developed with a different purpose: therapeutic support and hoof comfort.

At the heart of the system are patented, interchangeable Deep Gel™ orthotics designed to conform to the hoof, support the sole and hoof wall, and provide dynamic frog support. The Deep Gel™ helps prevent the horse from bottoming out under weight-bearing while allowing subtle weight shifts that support the hoof's natural pumping mechanism and healthy circulation.

With 20 sizes and multiple orthotic densities available for both shod and barefoot horses, Soft Ride Boots can be tailored to a horse's individual needs. Rather than simply protecting the outside of the hoof, Soft Ride therapy boots are designed to support what is happening inside it—helping distribute weight through the center of the sole while promoting comfort and supporting the natural mechanics of the hoof.