Best horse care / stable management books for a beginner?

[zakkandtoto]

I took my older brother out on his first ever ride two years ago during a visit and he fell in love. He started holding business meetings on trail rides instead of in the office and at restaurants.

He just bought a small farm in the southwest and he’ll be buying a couple of (hopefully) well trained trail horses.

Unfortunately, he’s several hundred miles away from me.

I just sent him a copy of Cherry Hill’s, ‘Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage’.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to schedule a visit to help him get situated, but I’d like to give him a reference library, as well. Are the Horses for Dummies books good? Any recommendations for the basics? Care, handling, health, etc…

[2DogsFarm]

Does he have any neighbors with horses at the new place?
If so, then he might ask if he can help out with daily care - best way to learn IMO is Hands On.
If not, then no book in the World is going to address everything - although Cherry Hill’s is helpful for getting things in place before bringing horses home if he has that little experience with horse care.

He’d be better off boarding his horses until he’s comfortable with care & has contacts - vet, farrier, hay supply - setup for the new farm.
Unless his pockets are deep enough to pay for knowledgeable help.

[zakkandtoto]

I’d like to send him enough books to give him pause. I can’t imagine that he grasps the amount of work and accumulated practical knowledge required to care for horses at home.

Last night, out of the blue, he told me he wanted to buy a couple of horses to ride along the creek on the property. I sent a flurry of horse buying advice texts, then I had an ‘uh oh’ moment.

He just closed on the property so I have no idea if he has horsey neighbors, though his pockets are exceptionally deep, so he will be able to hire help and hopefully will be able to find a couple of rock solid horses to enjoy.

[2DogsFarm]

Yikes.
This could be a trainwreck.
Hope he spares no expense on hiring a ranchhand!

Maybe suggest he join COTH for some advice from a bunch of Not-Sisters?

Or would you rather keep us & all our great advice to yourself :winkgrin:

[joiedevie99]

I like the Pony Club manuals because they are comprehensive and emphasize basic safety. There are some riding chapters that won’t pertain to him, but most of it will be invaluable.

I’d also focus on getting him hooked up with a good vet and farrier. If he learns to call the vet when he has questions, and make at least two appointment per year for physicals and vaccines, he’ll be in decent shape.