| From the Field: Rood & Riddle International Podiatry Conference Recap |
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| Hi,
Soft Ride has always believed in the value of continuing education. We’re proud to support and attend industry-leading events where veterinarians, farriers, and equine professionals come together to share practical, science-based insights. Most recently, our team had the opportunity to attend the Rood & Riddle International Podiatry Summit in Lexington, Kentucky—arriving home just in time to wish everyone a happy Kentucky Derby weekend after a few days immersed in hoof care science and collaboration.
In this issue, we’re recapping key takeaways from the Podiatry Summit—focused on hoof care, biomechanics, and distal limb support—and what they mean for the comfort, soundness, and performance of your horse. We’re also looking ahead to our upcoming summer travel schedule and the events where we’ll continue learning, connecting, and sharing the latest insights with you.
The Soft Ride Team |
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| Rood and Riddle International Podiatry Summit Recap |
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| Advancing Hoof Care & Laminitis Management The Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital International Podiatry Conference, held April 26–28, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky, brought together leading veterinarians, farriers, and researchers from around the world for several days of highly focused education on hoof and distal limb care. As a proud event sponsor, Soft Ride was honored to support this collaborative exchange of ideas shaping the future of equine podiatry.
This year’s program emphasized the intersection of mechanics, pathology, and practical application, with a strong focus on laminitis, hoof capsule alignment, and innovative therapeutic approaches. |
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| | Laminitis & Hoof Mechanics: Key Takeaways |
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| A central theme throughout the conference was the importance of mechanical support and alignment in laminitis cases. Presentations highlighted how subtle changes in hoof angulation and load distribution can significantly influence outcomes.
Dr. Sammy Pittman delivered an in-depth look at multi-plane hoof angulation and rocker mechanics, demonstrating how modifying the ground surface of the hoof capsule can improve breakover and reduce stress on compromised lamellae. His work with two and three plane rockered applications focused on achieving better bone alignment, including palmar angle optimization, reinforcing the idea that therapeutic shoeing must adapt to the individual horse’s biomechanics. |
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| These concepts were paired with live and demonstration-based discussions on shoe fabrication and application, helping bridge the gap between theory and real-world execution. |
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| | Abscesses & Distal Limb Pathology |
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| Travis Burns presented on hoof abscesses, offering practical insight into diagnosis, drainage, and aftercare. His session reinforced the importance of recognizing abscesses as both a primary issue and a secondary complication—particularly in horses with underlying laminitic or structural instability. |
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| A recurring message across sessions was that distal limb pathology rarely exists in isolation. Whether addressing abscesses, laminitis, or structural imbalance, successful outcomes depend on a comprehensive approach that combines mechanical support, environmental management, and ongoing monitoring. |
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| | Forward-Thinking Approaches to Care |
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| Several lectures explored emerging modalities and evolving mechanical strategies, reflecting a shift toward more proactive and preventative care. Topics included: Advanced approaches to load redistribution The role of supportive devices in rehabilitation Integrating farriery and veterinary perspectives for improved outcomes
These discussions emphasized that managing hoof conditions—especially laminitis—requires early intervention, consistent support, and adaptable treatment plans. |
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| | | Soft Ride was proud to sponsor the conference welcome reception, where veterinarians and farriers gathered to connect and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting. Throughout the event, there was strong engagement around the role of therapeutic support systems in both acute and chronic cases.
Our team received valuable feedback, with many practitioners recognizing the importance of consistent, uniform support, sole loading, and rockered breakovers as part of a comprehensive laminitis and recovery protocol. It was especially encouraging to see alignment between conference discussions and the practical application of supportive technologies in the field. |
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| | | The 2026 Rood & Riddle International Podiatry Conference reinforced a clear message: successful hoof care, particularly in laminitis cases, depends on a thoughtful balance of mechanics, support, and collaboration. As research and techniques continue to evolve, events like this play a critical role in advancing both understanding and outcomes.
Soft Ride remains committed to supporting that progress—both in the clinic and in the field. |
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| | | | Soft Ride on the Road - Summer 2026 Where We’re Headed Next |
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| | Hosted by the Texas Equine Veterinary Association, the Metabolic Horse Summit is a highly focused, boutique-style meeting dedicated to one of the most important topics in modern equine medicine: metabolic health and its direct link to laminitis. This two-day program brings together leading veterinarians and researchers to explore insulin dysregulation, endocrine disorders (including EMS and PPID), and practical strategies for prevention and long-term management.
The Summit is designed for in-depth discussion and collaboration in a smaller, highly engaged setting. Soft Ride is proud to support this important event as a sponsor, helping advance education around metabolic health and laminitis prevention.
Event Details: Date: June 4–5, 2026 Location: Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center Registration: Available through TEVA (contact: sara@texasequineva.com) https://www.texasequineva.com/events-ce/metabolic-horse-summit
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| | Back to Berrien is an NSBA Futurity and AQHA show that brings together riders, trainers, and equine enthusiasts in Berrien County, Michigan. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, five judge platform, and variety of well-run classes, the event showcases a range of disciplines and skill levels, making it a favorite stop for both competitive riders and local barns alike.
Soft Ride is proud to support this event as a prize sponsor, recognizing the dedication and horsemanship of participants while contributing to a positive and rewarding show experience.
Event Details: Date: June 17-20, 2026 Location: Berrien County Fairgrounds, Michigan Registration/Contact: BackToBerrien@gmail.com 573.321.0047 https://www.backtoberrien.com/
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| | The Texas Equine Veterinary Association Summer CE Symposium is one of the premier equine veterinary meetings of the year, bringing together practitioners from across the country for high-quality continuing education in a collaborative and engaging setting. Designed to balance cutting-edge science with practical clinical application, the symposium covers a broad range of topics including lameness, sports medicine, internal medicine, diagnostics, and emerging treatment approaches.
Presenters include Matt Durham, DVM; Charlie Buchanan, DVM; Sherry Johnson, DVM, DACVR; Kent Allen, DVM and more. The full symposium schedule will be published later this month. Soft Ride will be onsite and looks forward to connecting with veterinarians while continuing to support education that advances equine comfort, recovery, and performance.
Event Details: |
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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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