Backyard Horsekeeping: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need

by Joan Fry

More and more people are enjoying pleasure riding to the point of wanting to own their own horse. And with the cost and distance considerations of maintaining the animal at a boarding stable often an off-putting factor, the possibility of homeowners keeping a horse on their property becomes very appealing. But just how possible and practical would it be?

According to Joan Fry, an experienced horse owner and longtime backyard horse keeper, the answer is more times than not yes. Beginning with such initial factors as sufficient and suitable land and access to veterinarian, farrier, and feed, Fry leads the prospective backyard keeper through constructing and furnishing a small barn, paddock, and corral; locating and purchasing the horse; and then feeding and otherwise tending to the animal's creature comforts.

Of special value to both novice and experienced owners are the sections on feed, which takes into account the most up-to-date nutrition research, and on training the horse for safe and enjoyable trail riding.

Written with encouraging cheer and plenty of "horse sense," BACKYARD HORSEKEEPING will lead the way to maintaining and enjoying your very own horse on your very own property.

Genres: Horses

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jill]

While the pictures and language are not the glossy, highly edited stuff of major horse encyclopedias, this book has something better: real, good advice. The information is not the standard breeds, tack, and conformation, but rather detailed instructions on what you REALLY need to know to keep a horse on your own. The author is honest, realistic, and practical, but funny too! The perfect book to have on hand if you ever want to keep your horse at home.