Draft Horses: An Owner's Manual [Paperback]

Beth A. Valentine (Author), Michael J. Wildenstein (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1893707121 | ISBN-13: 978-1893707122 | Publication Date: November 1, 2000

This manual for draft horse owners comprehensively covers draft horse health. Chapters include the following: Feeding draft horses, special dietary needs of heavy horses, foot and hoof care, vital signs, lumps and bumps, gastrointestinal problems, back and spinal cord, muscles, joints and legs, laminitis stallions and mares, mare fertility, foaling time, the foal, blood testing, giving medications and much more. Black and white photos. 231 pages, softcover.

Product Details

• Paperback: 231 pages
• Publisher: Rural Heritage (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893707121
• ISBN-13: 978-1893707122
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book about Drafts, Useful for Other Breeds as Well, February 13, 2001

By 

"densonfarrier" (Wareham, Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Draft Horses: An Owner's Manual (Paperback)

This is an easy to understand handbook. It covers all aspects of owning and maintaining a healthy draft horse: with topics considered ranging from exercise to diet; hoofcare to healthcare. The volume would serve any draft owner well, but would also make a great addition to any farrier's library. I would also highly recommend this book to owner's of other breeds as many of the disease processes, parasites, and lameness issues prove to be, for the most part, non-breed specific.

Buy this book!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly an owner's manual, March 20, 2005

By 

Rachel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Draft Horses: An Owner's Manual (Paperback)

This book does an excellent job of explaining maladies and situations that are unique to the ownership of draft horses. The authors discuss the fact that draft horses have different digestion than light horses. There are hoof problems, muscular problems, and nutrient storage issues here that are unheard of among light horses as well. It was an eye-opener to read how many differences there are between these creatures and their lighter cousins. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for any prospective or present draft horse owner. There are many issues here that could be vital to your horse's health.

As for other things... do not expect this book to overly extol the draft horse's positive values. It does briefly mention them, but in a more clinical, objective sense rather than warm praise. This is indeed an 'owner's manual', reminding me for the most part of an instructional book on a new lawnmower, except extremely well-written, easy to understand, and simple to apply. It is filled with good information.

It seems that, if you are interested in such a book, you are already interested in the beautiful and enchanting draft horse. Therefore, you don't need any inducement to love them. Once again, I completely recommend this book. There is much to think about. Enjoy.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book about Drafts, Useful for Other Breeds as Well, February 13, 2001

By 

"densonfarrier" (Wareham, Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Draft Horses: An Owner's Manual (Paperback)

This is an easy to understand handbook. It covers all aspects of owning and maintaining a healthy draft horse: with topics considered ranging from exercise to diet; hoofcare to healthcare. The volume would serve any draft owner well, but would also make a great addition to any farrier's library. I would also highly recommend this book to owner's of other breeds as many of the disease processes, parasites, and lameness issues prove to be, for the most part, non-breed specific.

Buy this book!