Soft-Ride's patented and interchangeable Gel Orthotic Inserts are the heart of the Soft-Ride gel boots system. Our Gel Orthotics conform to and support the sole of the hoof and the hoof wall on shod and unshod feet, providing unparalleled comfort for your horse. Soft-Ride equine gel boots in sizes 2 through 7 include a pair of our standard, turquoise orthotics; size 8 through 10 boots include a pair of purple orthotics. Replacement or specialty orthotics are available and can be purchased in pairs.
We offer replacement gel orthotics because they may wear out, or you may need a softer or firmer insert with a different density depending on a few factors, such as your horse’s weight or a practitioner’s recommendation.
Comfort Boots
Soft-Ride Comfort Boots are sold in pairs and include a pair of our patented Gel Orthotics. We offer 18 different sizes of boots, while orthotics are available in 18 sizes and six different densities. If your horse has a narrow hoof, narrow boots are available as a specialty product and can be purchased over the phone.
*A single boot should only be ordered when your horse has two different size hooves (in which case you will need to order two single boots of different sizes), or in the event that you need to replace a boot. Single boots have SINGLE in the product title and in the SKU.
"I always borrowed a pair of Soft-Rides, and my mare, Holly, didn't want to give them back! She tried to bite when we took them off, so it seemed like Holly would love to have her own. Now she does."
What's My Size?
If you know your horse’s shoe type and “Keg” shoe size, you can input that information below to get an idea of what size Soft-Ride boot your horse will wear. Please note that if your ferrier makes significant changes to the shape of your horse’s shoes, you may require a different size Soft-Ride boot than what our sizing wizard displays.
Shoe Type
Shoe Sizes
What Others are Saying...
Tasha Welsh Testimonial
"If they are in the trailer, they're (Soft-Ride Boots) on."
"The number one thing about horses is keeping their feet happy and you cant do it without help. Its amazing how sore horses feet get just from the compression of what we do. The Soft Ride is basically like a cushion to them, it lays like they’re always balanced, whether they’re in the trailer, on rocks, on the concrete, they have the same surface and same amount of support no matter what you do with them. I use my Soft Rides all the time, whether I have a 30 minute trip to the vet or a 12 hour trip to Cheyanne, if they’re in the trailer - they’re on.”
Al Dunning
“One of my favorite things for making sure my horses are safe in the trailer is using the Soft Ride Boots. You know, one of the problems with horses hauling a long distance is the heat coming from the road, on to the horses feet and horses have foundered from that. Plus I like a horse to feel cushion in there without having to, you know horses can paw the shavings away and all that kind of stuff, but with the Soft Ride Boots that stay on there it gives them that little extra cushion. Plus inside the boot is a foam frog that fits the hoof just right, and lets the horse have maximum comfort when they go. This is how easy they are to put on, Minka will put on this boot, just slide them on just like that, and horses love to wear them too! I mean, it’s not like they’re a big deal. They stay on really good, and they got little closure rubber bands at the ends so they wont come off. You know, when we have a horse thats sore footed we put them on in the stalls at night, when we haul our horses we have them on them, for safety and comfort of the horse, and I’ve hauled horses thousands and thousands of miles and never had any hoof problems since I’ve started using Soft Ride. So you know, a lot of the places we go have stalls that are on cement or on hard ground of some sort, I think having Soft Rides on them in the stalls like that just prevents them from having that concussion from that ground. Plus they don’t slip with these boots on, getting up on that kind of, so what I would suggest is if you go to those shows that have just cement floors, put rubber mats down, put plenty of shavings, and use Soft Ride Boots. You know, my friend Monty that developed the Soft Ride Boots has developed a fitting system, we’ve got all different sizes of boots to fit different sizes of horses and he has a new one called the long, that we like a lot!”
Tammy Fischer
“Keeping your horse sound tp make the NFR is one of the most important things, and you have to think about your horses legs and your horsed feet like tires on a race car - if you don’t have the tires you’re not going anywhere, so you’ve got to keep your horse sound and healthy or your done. I use Soft Ride Boots all the time. I use them to haul to absorb the shock, I can warm up on rocks if I need to, I can do anything I want and never have to worry about whats on the ground if I don’t have sand. They’re durable, they last, and they’ve kept my horses sound for years and years and years. You stick with products that are dependable and that you can rely on - nothing compares.”
Jessi Fish
“Competitive barrel racing is one of the most demanding things I think you can do. He’s asked to go to up to 100 rodeos, and you go up and down the road as hard as we all year, the hours, the miles can be, I think can be more strenuous than even running them. I had a horse that had horrible feet and I had a hard time keeping him sound on the road, and my vet suggested getting a pair of Soft Rides for him and ever since then it helped so much that I have used them on everything I have. Really helps when you get somewhere too if you get somewhere if the ground is hard or if it’s rocky, it gives you a chance to let your horse be comfortable and not get sore. They wear their Soft Rides religiously. If you don’t have a horse that feels his best, its hard to win. The biggest deal is making sure they feel good, I mean they’re the only reason we’re out here. ”
Brian Bell
“We use Soft Rides as a preventative, you know when you’re at the show and they’re stalls are on concrete its hard to put enough shavings under them to keep them comfortable. There was a noticeable difference, the horses were comfortable and relaxed, and they felt fresh. When you get to a horse show you can’t start out with a horse thats already tired. You know these three year olds that we show, are you know are worth so much money and can win so much money, that its just crazy not to do everything you can for them.”
Lari Dee Guy - Paddock Protection
“Soft Ride Boots increase the circulation and lower the impact on the joints. Whether it’s a foot or a tendon - it really helps. The Soft Ride Boots are so easy to put on, they’re easy to clean. I would say the main thing that Soft Ride Boots do for me is give me the longevity to in a horse. We pay lots of money, we haul them lots of miles, and you know the horses have lots of stress and Soft Ride Boots are something I can guarantee you I would not leave home without.”
"Thanks again and keep up the great work! You are changing the lives of horses around the world..."
- Miki
Sizing Instructions
We recommend these guidelines when measuring your horse and using Soft-Ride boots:
Step 1
Place the hoof squarely on a sturdy piece of paper or cardboard (such as a manila folder).
Step 2
It's important to keep your horses hooves trimmed. This will help ensure continued proper fitment and help prevent damage to the boot.
Step 3
Measure each hoof to check for discrepancies in hoof size. You may find it necessary to order a different size boot for each foot.
Step 4
Hold the gel orthotic up to the bottom of the hoof. The gel should overlap the hoof by up to a eighth inch on all sides. This allows for some growth before the hoof is trimmed again. If the foot overlaps the Gel Orthotic in length or width, then the boot is too small.
Sizing Chart
Soft-Ride has added long, narrow, and long-narrow orthotics in select sizes. When reordering, specify the orthotic size. Additionally, specialty pairs of orthotics can be purchased in these new sizes.
Size
Width
Length
2
6 1/2" / 164mm
6 1/2" / 164mm
2 Narrow*
5 3/4" / 146mm
6 3/8" / 162mm
3 Long Narrow*
5 3/4" / 146mm
6 3/4" / 171mm
3
6 3/8" / 162mm
6" / 152mm
3 Narrow*
5 1/4" / 133mm
6" / 152mm
4
5 3/4" / 146mm
4 13/4" / 121mm
4 Narrow
5" / 127mm
5 1/4" / 143mm
5 Long
5 5/8" / 143mm
5 5/8" / 146mm
5 Long Narrow*
4 3/4" / 121mm
5 3/8" / 133mm
5
5 3/4" / 146mm
5 1/4" / 133mm
5 Narrow
4 3/4" / 121mm
5 1/4" / 133mm
Size
Width
Length
6 Long
5 1/4" / 133mm
5 1/4" / 133mm
6 Long Narrow
4 3/4" / 121mm
5 1/4" / 133mm
6
5 " / 131mm
4 1/2" / 114mm
6 Narrow
4 1/4" / 108mm
4 3/4" / 121mm
7 Long
4 7/8" / 121mm
5" / 127mm
7 Long Narrow*
4 3/8" / 111mm
5" / 127mm
7
4 3/8a" / 114mm
4" / 102mm
7 Narrow
4" / 102mm
4" / 102mm
8
3 3/4" / 96mm
3 3/4" / 96mm
9
3 1/4" / 83mm
3 1/4" / 83mm
10
2 3/4" / 70mm
2 1/2" / 64mm
Approximately boot orthotic size comparisons with Standard US "Keg" shoes
Orthotic Size
#2
#3
#4
#5L
#6L
#6
#7L
7L
Victory Elite
4
3
1.5
2
1
0
00
000
Kerkheart Steel Shoes
4
3
1.5
2
1
0
00
000
Racing Plates
n/a
n/a
8
9
7
5
4
n/a
*Soft-Ride has added long and long narrow sized orthotics. Narrow orthotics accommodate ill shaped hoofs. When reordering, specify the orthotic size.
For a narrower hoof needing an orthotic with less width; narrow size orthotics are available as standard in size #2 Narrow, #3 Narrow, #5 Narrow, #5 Long Narrow, #6 Long Narrow, #7 Long Narrow, and #7 Narrow. Specialty pairs of orthotics can be purchased additionally in these narrow sizes.
