I know the Cloud boots are new in the market, but does anyone have experience with both that could give comments about the pros and cons of each? This would be for therapeutic use in a laminitis case.
I just had to purchase a pair of soft ride boots for a horse that was short shod - with two hot nails to boot (pun not intended). Thanks new farrier… But I digress… So far, we are 6 days in with the soft ride boots and they seems to be made really well and have stayed put. I hope that helps… Sorry it’s not much!
I found EasyCare a much better company to work with. They have a much better return policy than SoftRide does…which is really important when you’re trying to figure out what’ll help a laminitic horse.
The angle and frog pad caused my laminitic mare a lot more pain when I tried SoftRides. A lot of people will cut the pad to make it flat and remove the frog pad. This seems like a lot of work…especially now that the EasyBoot Cloud is available.
If it had been available, I would have gone with the Cloud when my mare needed boots. I wound up going with the EasyBoot Transition, with just a regular foam pad…and they were so much better than the SoftRides.
If your horse is going to be in a stall, the SoftRides might be ok. I had to section off part of my dry lot for my mare (she’s very stall-phobic)…a lot of dirt got in the SoftRides. They’re also heavier and clunkier than the EasyBoot Transition.
I found EasyBoots easier to get on and off than the SoftRides. The SoftRides have a tendency to twist and rub…and the upper is a little floppy. Overall, the EasyBoots are more robust.
I also got a pair of EasyBoot Epics for my mare. She got through another bout of laminitis in those with some foam pads.
Honestly, there’s a bit of trial and error involved…and the horse is the ultimate judge of what works. But the EasyBoots I’ve used have worked better than the SoftRides.
Exactly what I hoped would be the case! The horse is in a pair of SoftRides that were loaned to us (size is correct), and I have a pair of the Cloud boots on order that should arrive Friday so we shall see.
Love the soft-rides.
have never tried the easy care boots.
I’ve been using soft rides on my laminitic IR pony for a few months now…they are great and gave him immediate relief-however the fit wasn’t quite right and I have been trying to get a hold of them since June and they have not returned my calls or emails …I want to order a different gel orthotic insert over the phone because their website wasn’t working properly …I’ve left countless voicemails and emails and they have not once gotten back to me?? I was thinking maybe they went out if business ???
[QUOTE=ladipus;8291152]
I was thinking maybe they went out if business ???[/QUOTE]
I just ordered and received a pair of Soft Ride boots using the website so they are not out of business and the website (even as poorly designed as it is) works fine.
I admit I was not impressed that the very expensive item does not include any type of instructions when you get it. Yes, it is kind of obvious how it goes on but they are able to toss in the box a very flashy sale brochure, why not simple instructions.
Edit to add: I just checked the website and you can order replacement inserts using the website.
Ok thanks…I will check it out again …maybe the issue was trying to place the order with an iPhone?? I’m just very aggravated that for as expensive as these boots are that nobody has gotten back to me
Their website is very poorly designed if you ask me. It is more likely their website than your phone.
I love the Soft Ride boots. My only slight complaints are the price (although they are worth it) and the fact that they’re only sold in pairs.
I have not used the new Easyboot Cloud, but I have used the Easyboot Rx, which their other style therapy boot. The Rx is ok, but it definitely isn’t as durable as the Soft Ride boots. The Soft Rides hold up to turnout pretty darn well, but my horses have shredded several Easyboot Rx as soon as they are sound enough to move about! I hope Easy Care has improved the durability with the Cloud… But Easy Care does have great customer service and I appreciate you can buy a single boot easily when needed.
You can buy Soft Rides individually - I’ve done it and it is an option on their website. I’ve used the boots for over two years and have a few pairs plus an individual. I always call the company when I order and they have always been we extremely helpful. I’ve left messages also and they immediately call me back. Based on the number of times I’ve called I have to say they are one of the most friendly and helpful. I’ll be calling them tomorrow to get new inserts - just because my mares condition has unfortunately gotten a little worse (but manageable thanks to my vet and farrier). I have asked both about other types of boots and they’ve said the Soft Rides are by far the best choice for laminitis.
I used the EasyCare Trail boots for laminitis before they introduced new boots more suitable for long-term wear. At the time they told me the Trail would work better for 24/7 turnout than the Rx.
The Soft Rides just looked really clunky (at the time, anyways).
The Trail boots stayed on in his paddock (about 1/4 acre), never came off, and his feet were drier inside the boot than they would have been without them (he had to wear them over the winter). And the EasyCare boots were cheap enough that I bought two pairs so I could switch them out when one pair got too grungy.
We use the Easy Boot Rx for turnout when we have lost shoes. They are great, and even fit my big boy’s big feet. I am also curious about the Clouds. I might put boots on my guy when I trailer to Florida this winter.
[QUOTE=ryansgirl;8291637]
You can buy Soft Rides individually - I’ve done it and it is an option on their website. I’ve used the boots for over two years and have a few pairs plus an individual.[/QUOTE]
Good to know! I haven’t bought a pair in a few years and I recall it not being an option on the website at the time. I could have sworn it said something then about individuals only being sold as replacements via phone. I could be losing it. 
[QUOTE=Texarkana;8291942]
Good to know! I haven’t bought a pair in a few years and I recall it not being an option on the website at the time. I could have sworn it said something then about individuals only being sold as replacements via phone. I could be losing it. :)[/QUOTE]
I should add that its much better to go to their full website and NOT the mobile one. I’ve never had any luck on any mobile site so if people are having problems ordering I’m guessing that’s why. There is also a lot more info on the full site. The individual boots are priced slightly higher per boot than if you bought a pair but not by much.
FWIW, I just purchased a pair of Cavallo simple boots and my old guy is marching around like a youngster.
[QUOTE=Texarkana;8291942]
Good to know! I haven’t bought a pair in a few years and I recall it not being an option on the website at the time. I could have sworn it said something then about individuals only being sold as replacements via phone. I could be losing it. :)[/QUOTE]
The individual boots are listed as replacements on their website. I just ordered a pair of one size for a horse that needs two and a single (replacement as they call it) for a different horse, in a different size. They gladly took my money and sent me three boots.
I think they just call them replacements, not that they mean you can only buy them as a replacement.
When you call Softride, contact the factory if you can–somewhere in TX. I find they’re more on the ball than the sales dept, which is somewhere in the midwest I don’t have the phone # (thanks, Iphone), but it’s listed somewhere, or use google.
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve put the softrides on backwards, while trying to get them back on in the dark. Poor horse. Other than than that, I like them. I’d like to get a pair of the Clouds, though I get the impression that the liners don’t last very long.
I received the EasyCare Cloud boots (they offer 2nd day overnight for $5) and put them on Saturday. I REALLY like them compared to the SoftRide boots–pretty uncomplicated and easy to use. We measured precisely, and the fit is perfect. The closed-cell pad did conform to the horse’s hoof as described in their literature. The horse seems very comfortable in them. It remains to be seen how durable they are, but first impressions are positive!
I have a horse currently in a laminitis episode that started with what appeared to be an abscess at the toe that wouldn’t resolve. Because he had to have the shoe off that foot and has thin soles and doesn’t handle being barefoot well, I tried the EasyCare Cloud and at first liked it. Easy to use, seemed to fit well. However, after wearing it overnight only one night, it made my horse much more sore. I then got the Soft Rides, took some time getting the right size, but they are fabulous. He’s been wearing them all the time for several weeks, and seems to be very comfortable in them. Easy to put on and off and stay on, even on turnout. Now that he’s on stall rest and we’re treating for laminitis, I’m getting the orthotic gel designed for that. It still supports the frog and raises the heel as my vet wants, but softer gel in the front that’s supposed to take pressure off that area. It should arrive today, so we’ll see. I have had good customer service with Soft Ride. When I paid a lot extra to get 2-day service on the boots and they actually took 3 days to get here (FedEx’s fault, as they went out on time), Soft Ride immediately refunded me the difference in shipping.
