Ultimate Guide for Horses in Need

A resource of astounding scope illustrating recommended management and retraining practices for horses and donkeys that have been ignored, neglected, abused, or starved.

Whether given a second chance through purchase, adoption, or rescue, the horse in the “wrong” situation should have a chance to find his way to the “right one.” Veterinarian Dr. Stacie Boswell’s goal is to restore health and comfort to every horse in transition, and to help him learn how to function as the horse he is expected to be―from the Thoroughbred off the track to the grade pony from the field down the road. In her unparalleled reference, Dr. Boswell explains:

• Where they come from: The origins of the unwanted, neglected, or abused horse.
• Travel and intake: Safety, regulations, identification, and quarantine.
• Nutrition, dentistry, and colic: Body Condition Scoring (BCS),
• Refeeding Syndrome, nutrition, long-term weight management, colic prevention and treatment, and dealing with gastric ulcers.
• Vaccination and parasite management: Deworming, identifying and treating skin conditions, viruses, and respiratory diseases.
• Hoof care, lameness, and wounds: Evaluating hoof structure and the horse’s movement, trimming and shoeing, abscesses, laminitis, arthritis, and bandaging.
• Birth control: Castration and mare management.
• Foal rescue: The birthing process, working with orphans, halter training, and hoof handling.
• The “down” horse: Identifying and treating underlying problems, rolling a horse, bed sores, slings, and quality of life considerations.
• Working in disaster scenarios: Preparedness, identification, transportation, communication, and first aid.
• Euthanasia: Compassionate guidelines, procedures, and aftercare.
• Unique training considerations: Coming into work according to BCS.
• How horses sense and respond: Equine vision, training principles, and working with the fearful horse.
• Developing a relationship with your rescue: Social integration, developing trust, overcoming fear, handling feet and legs, halter training adult horses, preparing a horse for medical care, groundwork, and riding.