I had the opportunity to speak at the Region 3 NATRC Convention over the past weekend in Taos, New Mexico. NATRC is looking at a possible (probable) rule change that will allow hoof boots with gaiters that go above the hairline. I gave all those who attended some background on hoof boots and how they have evolved over the years. In addition I shared the impressive results of the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-On during the 2009 AERC season. It looks like the rule change will go through and NATRC riders will have the ability to use boots with gaiters during the 2011 season. To add a bit of incentive I agreed to offer NATRC the same “Give Back” sponsorship we are currently doing for AERC.
I also had the opportunity to go back to the original EasyCare building that was located in Pojoaque, NM. The visit brought back some great memories and really showed how much progress we have made as a company.
The old EasyCare building. (1969-1995) The current EasyCare building.
The street is now named after Dr. Neel Glass.
The NATRC weekend was a good example of much EasyCare and hoof care have changed in the last 40 years. Rule changes like the one that is still in the works for NATRC are good examples of the change that is still ahead.
Garrett Ford
President & CEO
I have been President and CEO of EasyCare since 1993. My first area of focus for the company is in product development, and my goal is to design the perfect hoof boot for the barefoot horse.
I fought long and hard for NATRC to come to the current century on this topic. Wow, have we had a lot of debates on this topic on the yahoo groups and in person. I rode and coached NATRC for many years with all of us dominating the top ribbons. I coached juniors. They wanted the natural trail horse but I argued that iron shoes with nails are no more natural than boots. They wanted to know if a horse is nervous by seeing the interference marks on the pasterns otherwise covered by gaitors and I argued that there are many other ways to know if the horses are nervous without interference marks. At the time it fell on deaf ears and stuck in the mud thinking. I am sooo glad that you have continued this relationship with them and that they are going to change this rule. I know they have lost many, many participants over this dinosaur rule. Here, here!!
Thanks Garrett for taking your time to visit and talk with NATRC riders. As a rider who does both AERC and NATRC, I really fear that NATRC will go the same way as the dinosaurs unless they update their rules. I have rode a few rides "DO" just to use my boots.