Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Equine Enigmas, Medical Mysteries, and Befuddling Behaviors (Why Do Series) [Paperback]

Marty Becker D.V.M. (Author), Audrey Pavia (Author), Gina Spadafori (Author), Teresa Becker (Author), Monty Roberts (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Why Do Series | Publication Date: October 15, 2007

So you think you know horses?

Do you love horses? Whether you live to ride, love to pet, or like to cheer on your favorite at the races, you'll get the inside track on all things equine in this must-read compendium. From breeding and behavior to medical tips and trivia, plus historical and contemporary facts, it's all here to give you more horse sense. 'America's Favorite Vet' Dr. Marty Becker and his wife, Teresa, team up with award-winning writer and horsewoman Audrey Pavia and syndicated columnist Gina Spadafori to answer everything you'd ever want to know about horses--and more!

How long does it take for a baby horse to learn how to stand? What's the difference between a pony and a horse? Why can't a horse just wear a cast on a broken leg? How much horsepower does a horse really have? How do directors get horses to fall down in movies? Do horseshoes really bring good luck? Why do horses walk and poop at the same time? Does a horse know if he has won a race? Is it true horses can't throw up? Are horses good swimmers? Do horses have good memories?

While no one will ever be able to fully explain the mutual love, trust, and devotion between humans and horses, this book will bring you one step closer. Giddy up!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With a wealth of books to their credit, including Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet? and Cats for Dummies, these four authors combine their equine knowledge in a breezy and informative guide to horse behavior and trivia. In addition to answering the title question, readers will learn why all racehorses have a January 1 birthday, why horses spook so easily and why horses past their prime no longer go to glue factories (many now go to France or Japan, where they are considered a delicacy). The authors cover just about every conceivable horse-related question in this compilation, up to and including "What is it like to be hung like a horse?" (for those keeping track, llamas and cattle are better endowed), though anyone left with an unanswered query is encouraged to submit it for the quartet's next entry in the series.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Marty Becker, D.V.M., (Bonners Ferry, ID) is the regularly featured vet on ABC-TV's Good Morning America; he hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, Top Vets Talk Pets, and is the host of the PBS series The Pet Doctor with Marty Becker, which airs in hundreds of markets nationwide.

Audrey Pavia (Norco, CA) is a former editor of Horse Illustrated magazine and an award-winning freelance writer specializing in equine subjects. She is the author of several horse books, including Horses for Dummies, Horseback Riding for Dummies, and Trail Riding: A Complete Guide. She has authored hundreds of articles on equine topics in a number of horse publications, including Western Horseman, The Trail Rider, Equestrian Retailer, Horses USA, Appaloosa Journal, Paint Horse Journal, Quarter Horses USA, Equine Veterinary Management, and USDF Connection magazines.

Gina Spadafori (Sacramento, CA) is the author of an award-winning weekly column on pets and their care, which is syndicated through Universal Press Syndicate. She is a bestselling author of several pet books, which have sold 375,000 combined, including Dogs for Dummies.

Teresa Becker (Bonners Ferry, ID) is the coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul II and has competed in several quarter horse shows.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: HCI (October 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075730608X
• ISBN-13: 978-0757306082
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #811,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Marty Becker, "America's Veterinarian," is the popular veterinary contributor to ABC-TV's "Good Morning America" and the resident veterinarian on "The Dr. Oz Show." He is a regular contributor to Parade magazine and AARP.com and a nationally syndicated pet-care expert. He's also a practicing veterinarian in north Idaho. He is the author of many top-selling books on pet-care, including "Chicken Soup for the Pet-Lover's Soul," "The Healing Power of Pets" and "Your Dog: The Owner's Manual."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?, October 9, 2007

By 

James B. Haggin "Swath" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Equine Enigmas, Medical Mysteries, and Befuddling Behaviors (Why Do Series) (Paperback)

Having grown up in Central Kentucky, I have had the pleasure of being around Thoroughbreds all my life. For the past 20 years, I have made my living in the Thoroughbred industry. "Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?" is another example that no individual can know everything there is to know about these great animals. It is a truly wonderful book that provides colorful insight as to why horses do some of the things they do.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Horse knowledge, February 9, 2008

By 

D. Thoman (Wyoming) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Equine Enigmas, Medical Mysteries, and Befuddling Behaviors (Why Do Series) (Paperback)

I bought this book for a friend's birthday and looked through it before giving it to her and found it very interesting and informative. The questions are questions that the least to the most experienced horseman or women would relate to. The answers are informative and the print is not to small or large. I would recommend this book to everyone.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining and informative read, March 17, 2008

By 

S. Union (Encinitas, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Equine Enigmas, Medical Mysteries, and Befuddling Behaviors (Why Do Series) (Paperback)

I've owned or been around horses my entire life, but I still learned things I didn't know about them when I read this book.
Those peculiar behaviors unique to equines -- perhaps always taken for granted as 'one of those things' are brought to light in this thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining book.