Product Description

Breeders, trainers, owners, racers and veterinarians will find The UC Davis Book of Horses indispensable for helping them better understand equine health and behavior. Backed by the authority and experience of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine -- and featuring the most up-to-date research information available --it is a sophisticated source of medical information readers know they can trust. Chapters include everything on the selection, nutrition, anatomy, disease and emergency care of horses. Helpful appendixes, a glossary of equine and medical terms and an index for quick reference are also included, making this a particularly easy to use, and highly readable guide.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #193113 in Books
• Published on: 1996-07-31
• Released on: 1996-06-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 528 pages

From Booklist
Knowledge of equine diseases has exploded in the last few years, and the goal of this book is to provide basic information for horse owners who want to understand how to keep their horses in good health and at peak performance. It was written by 37 experts from the faculty and staff of the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.

The book is divided into eight parts. The first two cover selecting and caring for a horse. The next three deal with nutrition, reproduction, and the equine body. Parts 6 and 7 cover infectious diseases, cancer, geriatrics, and home care. The final part consists of appendixes on zoonotic diseases, vaccinations, diagnostic tests, transportation, and a glossary. A detailed index concludes the book. Black-and-white photographs and drawings illustrate entries; there is also an insert of color drawings of horse anatomy.

A good example of the type of information contained in this work can be seen in chapter 7, "Feeding Horses," which covers the nutritional needs of horses in general and specific requirements for pregnant mares, weanlings, performing horses, older horses, and orphan foals. The next chapter covers diseases caused by diet. All the articles are written in simple terms but are detailed enough even for the novice horse owner. For those terms that may require additional explanation, the glossary gives good one-to two-sentence definitions.

The UC Davis Book of Horses is an excellent work with clear guidance on when to call in a professional and when a problem can be treated by an owner. It is a suitable purchase for any public or academic library that serves a population of horse owners.

Review
"An invaluable reference guide for every loving owner, rider, trainer, and groom." -- --Richard H. Brown, Trustee, United States Equestrian Team

"It is hard to imagine a more authoritative reference work...The UC Davis Book of Horses is the equivalent of a staff of top veterinarians on call 24 hours a day." -- The Whole Horse Catalog

"Should be in every tack box!" -- --A. C. Asbury, D.V.M., College of Veterinary Medicine, Universtiy of Florida

About the Author
University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, established in 1946, is devoted to developing new methods for the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and cure of animal health problems. The members of the faculty and staff who have contributed are considered experts in equine research and care.

Customer Reviews

A thorough yet concise reference of horse care and ailments
This is the book I was looking for when I bought all the others. I was attracted by the fact that the authors are not only veterinarians but also faculty of a school of veterinary medicine. This book is written for horse owners, not aspiring veterinarians, but is far more detailed than any other book I have found. This one volume contains all the detail you will ever need, probably more. I bought this book in desperation when my horse's condition stumped my vet. The answer was on page 168. This book is written at a level appropriate to the intelligent but not medically trained reader. Technical terms are used extensively but are defined as they are introduced. Understanding the technical terms can facilitate discussion with one's veterinarian. There is far more information than one needs in order to own a horse but for the owner who wants to learn more than just the basics, this is the book to buy.

Not specific enough
I found this book to be good for novices, but it lacks in-depth information about treatment. For instance, under parasite control it says "talk to your veterinarian" No list of common wormers, their activity, safety and recommended dosing schedule. At least here in Guatemala, the vet prefers for you to participate in the possible diagnoses and treatment options to make an informed decision. This book leaves me in the cold. I recommend you check out Dr. Giffin's manual for horse owners - much more detailed.

A book of information for anyone
This book is quite useful with an emphasis on the health and care of the horse. Essentially, it is a collection of articles written by veterinarians and other horse oriented people from the vet school. Reproduction takes up almost 150 pages. Other large topics covered include nutrition, diseases and disorders, and care. Other topics such as vaccinations, selection, transportation, breeds, and behavior. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone, since the articles cover information that horse owners should be aware of (such as the extensive disease articles), but might not be entirely educated about.