Understanding Basic Horse Care by Michael A. Ball & Jaqueline Duke

As the renowned George Morris says in his introduction, "The big problem, as I see it today, is that while people often learn to teach, train, and/or ride quite well, they do not learn enough about the horse and his care and management." Author Michael Ball is a veterinarian who teaches and writes about equine medicine at Cornell University, so it makes sense that his book would be largely medical in its content. He underscores the importance of "knowing the normal from the abnormal" as being the basic foundation for good animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, and then he helps the reader get there. Like Dr. Ball's other book in this series, Understanding Equine First Aid, this handy primer won't intimidate the average or first-time horse owner. It is highly readable and well organized. Each equine body system is discussed in regard to diseases and disorders including the foot and the ocular system. There is a glossary, an index and recommended readings. Color and black-and-white photographs illustrate key points. One criticism: Dr. Ball could have devoted more research and space to the section on alternative therapies (T.B.) HIGHLIGHTS - Basic horse handling - Restraint techniques - Housing the horse - Feeding and preventative medicine - Grooming - Conformation and locomotion - The musculoskeletal system - The foot - The gastrointestinal system - The cardiovascular system - The ocular system. 96pgs, P, 1999