Chris Defilippis - The Everything Horse Care Book: A Complete Guide to the Well-being of Your Horse

A complete guide to the
well-being of your horse

Christopher DeFilippis

The
EVERYTHING
Horse Care Book

Dear Reader,

I came to horses in my early twenties, relatively late in life compared to most professionals. As my experience grew one thing became clear: most horse professionals have different ways of doing things. The never-ending supply of advice from non-professionals can also be confusing. Remember, everyone is an expert when theyre talking about someone elses horse. The truly knowledgeable people in the business are rarely the ones imposing their advice.

There are more and more astonishingly knowledgeable horse people out there, who combine rapidly progressing scientific advances with their own wide experience to institute revolutions in the theory and practice of horse care and training. More than ever, this ethic is coming up against the traditional biases, rigidity, and ignorances to which the horse business is bound. My aim in this book is to represent a balance between the tried and true methods of caring for horses and the new science and methods of horse care.

I hope that my various experiences in the horse business have allowed me to present the information in this book in an unbiased, clear, and open way, which will guide you to a happy, safe, healthy, and open-minded relationship with your horse.

Editorial

Production

Visit the entire Everything Series atwww.everything.com

This book is dedicated to Claudia Barron, the best horsewoman I know, and a one-of-a-kind human being, whose help in the writing of this book, with my horses over the years, and love and support has been invaluable to me.

Copyright 2006, F+W Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publxications Company
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN: 1-59337-530-1

Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B A

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
DeFilippis, Christopher.
The everything horse care book : a complete guide to the well-being of your horse / Christopher DeFilippis.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 1-59337-530-1 1.
Horses. I. Title.

SF285.3.D44 2006
636.1dc22

2005034599

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, please call 1-800-872-5627.

Thanks to my friends and clients, who have been loyal, supportive, and dedicated to me and my farm, especially Pat Borgen, who has stuck with me from the beginning; Eve Marks, who helped and encouraged me to get back to writing; Alexa Coyne, who believes in me; and Philip Gotswald. I would have lost heart for the horse business if not for you all. To my agent, June Clark, and editor, Kate Burgo, thanks for helping and putting up with me through this process. I am also grateful to those colleagues of mine who have demonstrated to me how to be in the horse business, or, more crucially, how not to be. Thanks to my vet, Dr. Christine Koch, Betsy Merit of Bare Foot Performance, my farrier, Bob Ellis, and Tim Murphy of Arroway Chevrolet for providing me with information for this book. And an inexpressible thank you to my seeing soul dog Hailey, who has been through it all with me, and my horse, Valentine. Their giant hearts and gentility will inspire my endeavors forever. It is these two animals who have trained me in this life to be a human.

Top Ten Ways
That Horses Can Change Your Life

Caring for horses will give you a sense of discipline. They need you 24/7, on a regular schedule.

Getting involved in the world of horses will make you lots of friends. There is a camaraderie among horse people.

Caring for or riding horses can keep you physically fit.

Owning horses is mentally stimulating. You will learn something every day, either about them or about yourself.

Having horses is a good way to get to know your neighbors and fellow horse people in the area. There is an ethic of helping out among horse people.

Horses are intellectually stimulating. Whether you are an artist, a scientist, a mathematician, or just someone with an active imagination, understanding the horse is an endless pursuit.

Horses are a ubiquitous subject. Knowledge of horses is a commodity that you can take with you anywhere in the world, whether for work or pleasure.

Whether you are a kid who gets into trouble or an adult who watches too much television, being responsible for horses will get you outside and working in all kinds of weather and on yourself.

Horses offer an endless array of social and competitive activities that will build your sense of accomplishment, confidence, and prowess in life.

A well-kept and happy horse will be a loving friend and companion.