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Understanding Equine Laminitis |
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Hi,
We want to wish you a very happy Easter Weekend! Easter also indicates that spring is here for many people in the northern hemisphere. While we’re thrilled about the longer days and warmer weather that come with spring (and maybe less thrilled about the seasonal mud), for horse owners it also means we need to start paying more attention to the grass. Mild spring weather and fresh green grass are the harbingers of laminitis season. Anyone that’s dealt with the disease can tell you it can be a scary prognosis, both because it can be a result or side effect of so many different issues, and because treatment is challenging. Early recognition, veterinary and farrier partnership, and consistent supportive care—including appropriate hoof support and cryotherapy—can significantly influence outcomes. In this newsletter we want to go over some of the most frequently asked questions about laminitis to help make it as clear as possible.
The Soft Ride Team |
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Laminitis is the inflammation and structural failure of the laminae—the interlocking tissues that suspend the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. When these tissues are damaged, the bond between the hoof wall and bone weakens, which can lead to rotation or sinking (founder). This process is extremely painful and can become life-threatening if not addressed promptly. |
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2. What causes laminitis? |
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Laminitis is often multifactorial. Common contributing factors include: High intake of non-structural carbohydrates (lush pasture, grain overload) Hormonal disorders (EMS, PPID) Systemic illness or infection Mechanical overload or concussion
Understanding and addressing the root cause is critical for successful management. |
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3. What are the different types of laminitis? |
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Laminitis is generally classified into three primary categories. Each type has different triggers but results in similar structural damage within the hoof, emphasizing the importance of early identification and targeted management.
Endocrinopathic LaminitisMost common; associated with insulin dysregulation (EMS, PPID)
Common causes include: High non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) intake (lush pasture, grain overload) Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) leading to insulin resistance Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID / Cushing’s disease) Obesity or easy-keeper body condition Limited exercise or sedentary lifestyle Seasonal pasture changes (spring and fall sugar spikes)
Sepsis-Associated LaminitisLinked to systemic inflammation (colitis, retained placenta, etc.)
Common causes include: Severe gastrointestinal disease (colitis, enteritis) Retained placenta following foaling Metritis or uterine infection Grain overload causing hindgut acidosis Septicemia or endotoxemia Severe infections (e.g., pneumonia, pleuritis)
Supporting Limb LaminitisOccurs when one limb bears excessive weight due to injury in another limb
Common causes include: Fractures or severe musculoskeletal injuries in the opposite limb Tendon or ligament injuries requiring offloading Post-surgical non-weight-bearing (e.g., after orthopedic surgery) Chronic lameness causing prolonged uneven weight distribution Hoof abscesses or severe foot pain in the opposite limb
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4. How can I identify laminitis early? |
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Early intervention is key. Watch for: Increased digital pulse Warm hooves Reluctance to move or shortened stride Shifting weight between feet Subtle stiffness, especially on turns
At this stage, immediate veterinary consultation and supportive care, such as using Soft Ride Ice Spas for cryotherapy and using Soft Ride Boots to provide cushioning and reduce load, can help minimize progression. |
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5. What does a laminitic stance look like? |
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Horses with front foot laminitis often adopt a “sawhorse stance”, placing their front feet forward and shifting weight onto their hind end to relieve pressure on the toes. In hind limb cases, posture may reverse. |
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6. How is laminitis diagnosed? |
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Diagnosis involves:
Radiographs are especially important for guiding trimming, shoeing, and support strategies. |
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7. How is laminitis treated? |
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Treatment requires a multi-pronged approach: Addressing the underlying cause (dietary, metabolic, or systemic) Pain management under veterinary supervision Cryotherapy (icing) in acute stages Strict dietary control Mechanical hoof support
Supportive tools like Soft Ride boots are commonly used to provide immediate comfort and help redistribute load during recovery. |
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8. Why is hoof support critical in treatment? |
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Laminitis compromises the hoof’s ability to bear weight properly. Without support, forces continue to stress the damaged laminae.
Providing uniform, forgiving support—such as that offered by Soft Ride Boots or therapeutic shoeing solutions—helps: |
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9. How do Soft Ride Boots help horses with laminitis? |
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Soft Ride Boots are designed to provide therapeutic support that aligns with key veterinary principles for managing laminitis, including reducing mechanical stress and promoting healthy hoof function.
A defining feature is their raised frog support, which encourages centered, uniform loading of the hoof. This creates a cyclical loading and unloading pattern that helps stimulate blood circulation within the hoof—mimicking how a healthy hoof naturally loads through the sole and frog during movement. Improved circulation is important for supporting tissue health and recovery in compromised laminae. In addition, Soft Ride Boots offer: Consistent cushioning and support to reduce pressure on damaged structures Removable specialty inserts to adjust support as the horse’s condition changes Stability and comfort for both standing and limited movement
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Soft Ride Ice Spa represented by hot pink “HV” or High Volume Immersion Boots |
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10. How is icing used to treat laminitis? |
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Cryotherapy (icing) is a critical component in the early management of laminitis because it helps reduce inflammation, slows metabolic damage, and protects the laminae. The Soft Ride Ice Spa is specifically designed to deliver consistent, full immersion cooling in a practical and effective way.
A peer-reviewed study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine found that the Soft Ride Ice Spa was the only ice therapy device tested that successfully reduced internal hoof temperatures to the recommended therapeutic range and maintained those temperatures for the necessary duration.
This level of sustained cooling is essential, as research shows that continuous, prolonged cryotherapy is required to effectively protect laminar tissues during acute laminitis.
Read the full article here: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/86/3/ajvr.24.10.0291.xml
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11. How does the SoftRider shoe’s design help laminitic horses? |
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The SoftRider therapeutic shoe is specifically engineered to provide an appropriate breakover and redistribute load away from the damaged laminae. Both elements are critical components of laminitis management.
Unlike a standard horseshoe which typically places more load along the hoof wall and requires the horse to overcome greater leverage at the toe during breakover, the SoftRider shoe is designed to encourage center loading of the hoof. This shifts weight toward the sole of the foot, helping to reduce stress on the compromised laminae at the toe.
Additionally, the SoftRider shoe incorporates an enhanced, rockered breakover, allowing the foot to leave the ground with less resistance. Compared to traditional flat shoes, this design reduces mechanical strain of the DDFT and lower leg soft tissues during movement which reduces leverage strain on the hoof. |
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12. What role does nutrition play in laminitis management? |
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Your veterinarian will likely suggest a modified diet plan for your laminitic horse. Nutrition is central, particularly in metabolic cases.
Suggestions may include: Feed low sugar/starch forage Avoid grain and lush pasture Balance minerals appropriately
The ECIR protocol emphasizes strict dietary control as a cornerstone of recovery and prevention. |
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13. Can horses recover from laminitis? |
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Yes—many horses can recover and live comfortable, useful lives.
Success depends on: |
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14. How long does laminitis recovery take? |
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Recovery can range from weeks to many months depending on severity. Hoof growth alone takes 8–12 months, and ongoing support—often including boots or therapeutic shoeing—is typically required throughout. |
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15. Should a laminitic horse be stalled or allowed to move? |
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In acute stages, controlled confinement on soft, supportive footing is recommended. Excess movement can worsen damage, but complete immobility without support can also be problematic. Soft Ride Boots can help provide comfort during necessary limited movement. |
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16. What footing is best for laminitic horses? |
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Deep, supportive, and forgiving footing (such as sand or deeply bedded stalls) helps reduce concussion and evenly distribute weight. Combining proper footing with supportive Soft Ride Boots or SoftRider shoes enhances comfort and protection. |
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17. How often should hoof care be performed on a laminitic horse? |
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Frequent, careful trimming, often every 2–6 weeks, is essential to maintain proper alignment and breakover. Radiographs should guide trimming decisions whenever possible. Consult with your farrier about specific trimming treatment for your individual horse. |
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18. What is the most important takeaway for horse owners? |
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Laminitis is a medical emergency. Immediate action including veterinary care, dietary restriction, and supportive measures like Soft Ride Boots and cryotherapy, and appropriate trimming can dramatically impact outcomes. |
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Laminitis requires a comprehensive, informed approach. By combining veterinary care, frequent farriery work, nutritional management, and mechanical support solutions like Soft Ride boots, Ice Spa systems, and SoftRider shoes, horse owners can help protect hoof structures, improve comfort, and support recovery.
Learn more about Laminitis: https://www.softrideboots.com/newsletters.php?id=60 |
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Disclaimer: This content is for education and is not medical advice. If you suspect medical illness or injury contact your veterinarian for medical advise. |
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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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