Realize the enormity of breeding Reviewer: horseperson from Guatemala
This book, although it is a little outdated in many of the techniques, is a great resource for the occasional breeder. More than anything else, it makes you realize the enormity of breeding and birthing a healthy foal, and keeping the mare sound too. The section on the mare's reproductive tract is excellent. I wish she were a little more specific on treatment procedures: The book is more a loosely strung narrative by subject than an organized reference volume.

Everything you need to know, from stallion management, breeding plans, artificial insemination, etc., through the foal's first year, is in this comprehensive reference. It is recognized as the foremost text in its field, and you have the confidence of knowing you are relying on the combined knowledge of many leading experts! The book is thorough, well organized, profusely illustrated, and easy to read. It's also indexed and cross-referenced so you can locate vital information quickly.

This book is part of the Equine Research, Inc. library set-a highly respected collection of eight books that should form the foundation of every horse person's bookshelf.

Recommended on the Chat Board by Kathy, 2000-04-26.

New and prospective horse owners will welcome the publication of this high-quality book, which contains a wealth of information and is well organized and clearly presented, at a very reasonable price. Excellent color photographs and drawings accompany the text, written by a veterinary surgeon who practices in England and specializes in horse care. Topics discussed include basic care, daily routines, stabling, grooming, feeding, health, first aid, and types of tack and care. The chapters on horse disorders and diseases, accompanied by many helpful charts and illustrations, are especially useful. Since this is specifically a horse care manual, the book does not address riding techniques or the various horse breeds. All the photographs are British, a drawback for those who prefer the Western style of riding, as there is only one photo of a piece of Western equipment. But this does not detract from the book's informative value. Recommended, especially for public libraries with popular equine collections.-Deborah Emerson, Monroe Community Coll. Lib., Rochester, N.Y.

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

A great system Reviewer from California
If you have heard of imprint training and want to imprint your foal, you have to read this book. There is a lot of misinformation about imprinting foaling around out there, and this book lays it out logically and in a organized fashion. If you are simply interested in imprint training or want to learn more, then read this as well. Dr. Miller is the fellow who has popularized this method in the past 15 years, although it has existed to some degree in remote pockets of training. Essentially, imprinting training is neither of those two words. It is two different times in the foal's life. One, the first hour after birth, during which the foal is accepting of its surroundings. This time can be used to get the foal used to just about anything. Touched everywhere (except the sides of the barrel, which you sensitize when they are standing), restrained, used to clippers, plastic, etcetera. The second period is during the first week of the foal's life during which you can follow up on the desensitization and starting leading and tying. What I like the most about it, is that the foal will not be afraid of humans. He or she had you there at birth and therefore accept you into his or her definition of a herd. My second favorite aspect of this training method, is that you will end up with a halter broke foal that can be taken almost anywhere needed. Recommended on the Chat Board by Lorri, 2000-04-30.

The Tao of Equus, which literally translates as "the way of the horse," explores the possibility that horses are highly evolved, spiritual beings who offer humans opportunities for healing and personal growth. Linda Kohanov is the owner of Epona Equestrian Services, an Arizona-based collective of trainers and counselors that explore the therapeutic potential of equestrian pursuits. Although she does discuss horse training and horse behavior, Kohanov is most interested in what horses can teach us. Moving beyond the realm of horse whispering, Kohanov studies how horses awaken intuition in humans while also mirroring our unspoken feelings and fears. At its core, this book reminds us to be mindful as we approach the horse-human relationship. Like human-to-human relationships, we have to do our own personal and spiritual work before we can expect to create a meaningful and cooperative interspecies connection. Kohanov is a steadfast writer who isn't shy about claiming a strong feminine approach, showing how mythology and history are filled with examples of powerful woman-horse connections. She also has the courage to reveal her paranormal experiences with these intensely emotional and intuitive animals--stories that may sound familiar to anyone who has ever loved and dreamed of horses. --Gail Hudson

A freelance writer and founder of an equestrian therapy center, Kohanov relates the strange dreams, paranormal events and personal epiphanies that led her to believe that she was being visited not by just any run-of-the-mill poltergeist, but by a herd of ghost horses that wanted her to share their wisdom. It's a fantastic story, she admits, writing, "I wouldn't be surprised if some people use elements of what I divulge in this book to try to discredit anything else I have to say about this"... read more