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Keeping a Backyard Horse
Hay is for horses! Everyone knows that, but do you know how much hay they need? Or how much water? Did you know your horse can talk to you with his ears? Or that he can sleep standing up?Follow along with Athena the horse as she explains the basics of keeping a horse in your backyard. She’ll teach you the basic necessities of caring for your equine friend, from what kind of fencing you can use, to tips and tricks for keeping water thawed in winter weather, and even fun stuff you can do with your horse. Keeping a backyard horse can be fairly simple, and even if you have a tight budget, it can be done!
- GenresHorses
ebook
First published August 1, 2014
66 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Markie Madden
22 books87 followersMarkie Madden was born August 19, 1975, in Midland, Texas. She grew up in the small town of Flushing, Michigan. While in high school, she took creative writing and was a photographer for the school newspaper. In 1993, she won the National Quill and Scroll Society award for best photo in a high school paper. She began writing her first novel, Once Upon a Western Way, while still attending school.
Markie is now married with two teenage daughters, three rescue dogs, and her horse, Athena, who is featured on the cover of her horse care guide, Keeping a Backyard Horse. She tried many times over the years to publish her novel, first on her own, and then hiring a literary agent, all without success. In early 2012, after getting her first smart phone and e-reader application, Nook, she discovered the world of self-publishing through a website called Smashwords. She finally published Once Upon a Western Way through this distributor in April, 2012.
In the late spring of 2013, Markie came down with a mysterious illness, which was ultimately diagnosed as leukemia (AML specifically). She underwent a rigorous treatment of chemotherapy, during which, at one point, her life was endangered. While she was hospitalized, an old high school friend who is also a published author reconnected with her. Since cancer and the treatment of cancer forced her out of the traditional workforce, Markie turned her attention back to the world of writing.
By December of 2014, Markie was the successful publisher of three books, her first published work, Once Upon a Western Way, now available in print as well as e-format, as well as a self-help guide to horse care, Keeping a Backyard Horse, available in print and e-format, and her cancer memoir, My Butterfly Cancer, available in print, e-format, and audiobook. Her other two will soon be available in audiobook format as well. Markie has founded Metamorph Publishing, in order to publish her own books, and she is now working with two other independent authors as well.
Currently, Markie lives in the small town of Fisk, Missouri, with her family, her dogs, and her horse. She is still writing and is working on a crime/paranormal series called The Undead Unit Series. Book one of the series, Fang and Claw, is now available. The second book of the series, Souls of the Reaper, is expected out in 2016, along with a thriller novel entitled Cured Delusions. You can find her at her website: https://metamorphpublishing.com.
Markie is now married with two teenage daughters, three rescue dogs, and her horse, Athena, who is featured on the cover of her horse care guide, Keeping a Backyard Horse. She tried many times over the years to publish her novel, first on her own, and then hiring a literary agent, all without success. In early 2012, after getting her first smart phone and e-reader application, Nook, she discovered the world of self-publishing through a website called Smashwords. She finally published Once Upon a Western Way through this distributor in April, 2012.
In the late spring of 2013, Markie came down with a mysterious illness, which was ultimately diagnosed as leukemia (AML specifically). She underwent a rigorous treatment of chemotherapy, during which, at one point, her life was endangered. While she was hospitalized, an old high school friend who is also a published author reconnected with her. Since cancer and the treatment of cancer forced her out of the traditional workforce, Markie turned her attention back to the world of writing.
By December of 2014, Markie was the successful publisher of three books, her first published work, Once Upon a Western Way, now available in print as well as e-format, as well as a self-help guide to horse care, Keeping a Backyard Horse, available in print and e-format, and her cancer memoir, My Butterfly Cancer, available in print, e-format, and audiobook. Her other two will soon be available in audiobook format as well. Markie has founded Metamorph Publishing, in order to publish her own books, and she is now working with two other independent authors as well.
Currently, Markie lives in the small town of Fisk, Missouri, with her family, her dogs, and her horse. She is still writing and is working on a crime/paranormal series called The Undead Unit Series. Book one of the series, Fang and Claw, is now available. The second book of the series, Souls of the Reaper, is expected out in 2016, along with a thriller novel entitled Cured Delusions. You can find her at her website: https://metamorphpublishing.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 5, 2015
I absolutely loved learning how to take care of your first horse through the perspective of the horse. The excitement in the audio performance made it a very easy read to listen to in the new audio book release on audible.
This is the first book I've read/listened to on the care of horses. It's definitely one I would recommend to anyone thinking of purchasing their first horse as the tips and insights are presented in a manner that is easily understandable...even for those who have never been around horses. I would have to do some research to find other books about horse care.
The tips on things to watch for to determine a horse's current attitude are excellent. Listen carefully here so you don't get kicked and so you'll know if something's wrong with your horse.
This was an excellent primer for people who have recently purchased a horse, and even more important for those who are contemplating purchasing a horse. It was a delightful listen and jam-packed with the information you will need to know from helping your new horse become familiar with their pen, to how to properly give an injection and check for hoof problems. I strongly recommend this book.
This is the first book I've read/listened to on the care of horses. It's definitely one I would recommend to anyone thinking of purchasing their first horse as the tips and insights are presented in a manner that is easily understandable...even for those who have never been around horses. I would have to do some research to find other books about horse care.
The tips on things to watch for to determine a horse's current attitude are excellent. Listen carefully here so you don't get kicked and so you'll know if something's wrong with your horse.
This was an excellent primer for people who have recently purchased a horse, and even more important for those who are contemplating purchasing a horse. It was a delightful listen and jam-packed with the information you will need to know from helping your new horse become familiar with their pen, to how to properly give an injection and check for hoof problems. I strongly recommend this book.
July 14, 2015
Informative, Entertaining and Engaging!
After growing up with horses, then an extended time without them I found this to be an exceptional, concise and thoroughly helpful resource. The narrator, Barbara Colvin really brings it alive from the viewpoint of Athena, Ms. Madden's own horse, making it exceptionally entertaining and engaging.
In this wonderful guide Ms. Madden covers a wide range of topics from general information like food, shelter, pest control, some great suggestions on how to purchase your first horse, to tack, grooming, medical care and so much more.
When I was younger, I raised and trained quarter horses for barrel racing and found this guide to be a great refresher. Her particular purpose is to educate new/prospective owners and prevent accidental horse neglect. A laudable purpose indeed, especially since in Texas alone countless numbers of horses are put out in a corral with bare ground and only rusty troughs for water. It's infuriating.
Keeping a Backyard Horse is MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all new/potential owners as well as anyone wanting a quick refresher reference guide accessible to all ages.
After growing up with horses, then an extended time without them I found this to be an exceptional, concise and thoroughly helpful resource. The narrator, Barbara Colvin really brings it alive from the viewpoint of Athena, Ms. Madden's own horse, making it exceptionally entertaining and engaging.
In this wonderful guide Ms. Madden covers a wide range of topics from general information like food, shelter, pest control, some great suggestions on how to purchase your first horse, to tack, grooming, medical care and so much more.
When I was younger, I raised and trained quarter horses for barrel racing and found this guide to be a great refresher. Her particular purpose is to educate new/prospective owners and prevent accidental horse neglect. A laudable purpose indeed, especially since in Texas alone countless numbers of horses are put out in a corral with bare ground and only rusty troughs for water. It's infuriating.
Keeping a Backyard Horse is MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all new/potential owners as well as anyone wanting a quick refresher reference guide accessible to all ages.
June 12, 2015
This book has everything about horses, whether you have one, want one, or just like to learn, you will find all the information you need in this book. The author did a great job keeping the information precise and written in a way all can understand and enjoy reading about. It is easy to see this author is a horse lover and has their best interest at heart. very interesting book.
March 15, 2018
Audible:This was a really good start to owning a horse.I wish I would have had all this information when I first got a horse as a child.Perfect for kids and ok for adults.Barbara Colvin did a fine job narrating.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
June 24, 2017
A book all horse lovers should read!
This is the book everyone should read before getting a horse so they'll have these helpful hints about raising the newest member of thier family. I loved it! This book includes lessons for the horse lover in all of us!
This is the book everyone should read before getting a horse so they'll have these helpful hints about raising the newest member of thier family. I loved it! This book includes lessons for the horse lover in all of us!
November 25, 2017
Sooo helpful!
This book is a very good book if you are looking in to buying a horse, or want to learn about horses too. I would totally read this book again, and recommend to any horse person!
This book is a very good book if you are looking in to buying a horse, or want to learn about horses too. I would totally read this book again, and recommend to any horse person!
January 23, 2019
A breezy overview of horse care
I really enjoyed this because it was simple and to the point for someone considering owning a horse for the first time.
I really enjoyed this because it was simple and to the point for someone considering owning a horse for the first time.
June 7, 2019
Easy-to-read comprehensive guide to owning and caring for a horse. The author cleverly narrates the book from the horse's perspective!
July 19, 2015
In my latest research on all things possible on that acre I will, I hope, be living on soon, I thought I would entertain my twelve-year-old self with a bit of horsing around. When this book presented itself as free, I had to grab it. I wasn't disappointed.
This book is chocked full of information a newbie would need before acquiring a backyard horse. Imagine that, a backyard horse. Yeah, this fed the imagination. Don't know if a 65-year-old has any hope of starting out with a horse, especially with my osteoporosis. But I can dream, can't I?
Okay, the only thing I did find a problem with beyond the possibilities, is that this book attempts to be written from the horse's point of view. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold true very long. I think the author would have done better by not incorporating this idea. The changing viewpoints made me dizzy. That is the only reason I am not giving this book five stars. Because other than that method of writing, the book was quite interesting. And made me wish...
This book is chocked full of information a newbie would need before acquiring a backyard horse. Imagine that, a backyard horse. Yeah, this fed the imagination. Don't know if a 65-year-old has any hope of starting out with a horse, especially with my osteoporosis. But I can dream, can't I?
Okay, the only thing I did find a problem with beyond the possibilities, is that this book attempts to be written from the horse's point of view. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold true very long. I think the author would have done better by not incorporating this idea. The changing viewpoints made me dizzy. That is the only reason I am not giving this book five stars. Because other than that method of writing, the book was quite interesting. And made me wish...
July 26, 2015
Good
Good tips on horses. Helpful information that touched on the basics. Good read for anybody who is keeping their horse at home.
Good tips on horses. Helpful information that touched on the basics. Good read for anybody who is keeping their horse at home.
September 25, 2016
Good book for a novice horse owner
Good book for a child /adult wanting to get his/her first horse or some one new to owning a horse
Good book for a child /adult wanting to get his/her first horse or some one new to owning a horse
March 27, 2017
OK, I am not going to buy a horse, but I will visit friends in NC who own two(!!) horses.
Since I knew about this book because it was running in an award competition where one of my books ran too, I decided to polish up my knowledge about horses; because I am trying to make a great impression so I get invited again.
This is a very cool book, not fancy but PRACTICAL!!!
For instance author Markie Madden writes,
"... The price of a bale of hay depends on its size, type of hay, and where you live. In west Texas, hay ranges from $14 for a small square bale of alfalfa to $130 for a large alfalfa round bale. Here in Missouri, bales are generally grass hay (often Bermuda), and can cost around $5 for square and up to $60 for a round bale..."
That's the kind of advice I like. Don't tell me a rose-colored, fluffy "this is easy"-story, give me facts and numbers, so I can figure out if this works for me.
And, here the kind of advice that's good for me,
"... Aside from sweet feed, you can also buy oats, whole or cracked corn, commercially-prepared supplement feeds, or so-called “complete” feeds. These types of feeds are not absolute requirements, and should never (except for those marked ‘complete’) be used exclusively, in the absence of hay..."
Now that I read this, I can look smart when I visit my friends; I won't ask any stupid questions. Who knows, maybe they even let me ride a bit, if I look really educated.
Markie Madden starts with how to bring a horse home and get her accustomed to the new home, covers everything from food, cleaning, vet care, vaccinations, injuries, saddles, even toys for horses (didn't know that they exist) and having fun with a horse.
All in all this a fabulous, concise book for people who are thinking about getting a horse, or (like me) visit somebody with horses.
Highly recommend. 5 stars,
Gisela Hausmann, author & review expert
Since I knew about this book because it was running in an award competition where one of my books ran too, I decided to polish up my knowledge about horses; because I am trying to make a great impression so I get invited again.
This is a very cool book, not fancy but PRACTICAL!!!
For instance author Markie Madden writes,
"... The price of a bale of hay depends on its size, type of hay, and where you live. In west Texas, hay ranges from $14 for a small square bale of alfalfa to $130 for a large alfalfa round bale. Here in Missouri, bales are generally grass hay (often Bermuda), and can cost around $5 for square and up to $60 for a round bale..."
That's the kind of advice I like. Don't tell me a rose-colored, fluffy "this is easy"-story, give me facts and numbers, so I can figure out if this works for me.
And, here the kind of advice that's good for me,
"... Aside from sweet feed, you can also buy oats, whole or cracked corn, commercially-prepared supplement feeds, or so-called “complete” feeds. These types of feeds are not absolute requirements, and should never (except for those marked ‘complete’) be used exclusively, in the absence of hay..."
Now that I read this, I can look smart when I visit my friends; I won't ask any stupid questions. Who knows, maybe they even let me ride a bit, if I look really educated.
Markie Madden starts with how to bring a horse home and get her accustomed to the new home, covers everything from food, cleaning, vet care, vaccinations, injuries, saddles, even toys for horses (didn't know that they exist) and having fun with a horse.
All in all this a fabulous, concise book for people who are thinking about getting a horse, or (like me) visit somebody with horses.
Highly recommend. 5 stars,
Gisela Hausmann, author & review expert
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews