The Essential Hoof Book: 

The Reviews are IN!




I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the many publications and individuals who have taken the time to review The Essential Hoof Book. While we certainly hoped it would be a success, the positive feedback has been truly overwhelming!

Here are a few of the things people are saying about The Essential Hoof Book:

From the American Farriers Journal: The Essential Hoof Book was written for the horse owner. However, the information and photographs that are used in this book to explain the concepts and goals in properly balancing the foot would be beneficial to any hoof-care professional. This is an excellent book for educating the public, well-written with exceptional photographs and illustrations.

From Dr. Debra Taylor, Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Auburn: This book is absolutely AMAZING!!! Wow! Great work! It will be required reading for our students! 

From Clinton Anderson, Downunder Horsemanship: If you know me, you know I'm a learn-aholic and always looking for ways to better my horsemanship. Right now, I'm really enjoying The Essential Hoof Book by Susan Kauffmann and Christina Cline. If you get a chance, check it out from Horse and Rider Books.

From Master Farrier Gene Ovnicek: This book is a must-have for every horse owner's library.

From Pete Ramey: I just finished The Essential Hoof Book -- awesome work!

From HorseNation.com: Short of going to farrier school just to learn the basics, I had resigned myself to believing that the ability to pick up a hoof and “read” the horse’s recent history and see where the hoof needed to be shaped would forever just be beyond my grasp. Then I found The Essential Hoof Book. This work, by co-authors Susan Kauffmann (trainer, educator and writer) and Christina Cline (certified trimmer and educator), could easily serve as a textbook for a class in anatomy, equine science or equine management, but reads so easily that you could find yourself working steadily from cover to cover. The text spells out everything the reader needs to know, beginning with the anatomy of the equine hoof and covering qualities of the healthy and unhealthy hoof, hoof disease, how to build a healthy hoof and the various options for shoeing, trimming, booting and more. Since reading The Essential Hoof Book, I’ve found myself, almost without realizing it, looking closer at my horses’ hooves and noticing the more subtle details I used to overlook. With the wealth of knowledge easily accessible in The Essential Hoof Book, I’m able to learn more about what each detail means and take better ownership of my horses’ health. The Essential Hoof Book needs to be on every horse owner’s bookshelf.

...And here are a few of the many reviews on Amazon:

From Dan Lynch Delaware Natural Hoof Care and Horsemanship:

FIVE STARS...A must have book if there ever was one.

As a life long horseman, a hoof care provider for the last 15 years and an avid reader, hoof care books are nothing new in our house. This book however has moved to the top of my list as a favorite. Extremely well written and laid out. This book is a must for both the beginner as well as the seasoned horseman. If you are tired of farriers and veterinarians talking in what seems to be foreign gibberish about your horses hooves this is the book for you. Knowledge is power. Trust me when I tell you that when you are informed about your horses hooves and can engage in an educated conversation about your horses care you will get better service from your farrier. Gone will be his sorry excuses.

From Endurancehmt:

FIVE STARS...The authors achieve the magical combination of making each topic easy to understand

This is a (no,THE) must-have book for anyone interested in hoof health, whether you are a DIYer, a professional hoof trimmer or just own a horse. And whether your horses are barefoot, booted, or shod. The authors achieve the magical combination of making each topic easy to understand, while still very in depth. The writing is clear and concise and the photos and illustrations and computer models are absolutely top notch. I've been doing a lot of independent reading and studying on hoof care over the last several years and this really brought it all together for me, but would be just as worthwhile to a total beginner.

From Karen A. Warne:  

FIVE STARS...An essential book for owners, vets, and farriers who care about their horse’s hoofs

After owning horses for 50 years, and then having a horse that had a mild case of laminitis, I found out that I needed to be more knowledgeable about my horse’s hooves, and could not just trust that the farrier would do what was needed. I have been on a quest to understand the anatomy, the physiology, and the mechanics of the hoof. There are so many differing opinions, I had been searching for something that not only explained the hoof in common language, but also showed pictures so I could see what was being referenced. I ordered this book, and it is AMAZING! The explanations, the pictures, and many discussions of common, and not so common, problems with the hoof make this book essential to my understanding. There is a saying, “no hoof, no horse”, and so I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to truly understand their horse. I would also suggest that farrier and vets have a copy of this book so that they can use the pictures and easy explanations when they are educating their clients.

From Gaitlover:

FIVE STARS...Best book on hoof care out there

This is THE best book on hoof care I have read, and I've read a LOT of them. This is written clearly with lots of 'memory joggers' so the non-technical/professional person can understand and remember things. The photos are full color, very clear, with explanations and little arrows pointing to what is being explained so you know what you are looking for. I highly recommend it for every horse owner.

We also have been extremely grateful to hear from individuals who have written to us directly to tell us about the difference The Essential Hoof Book has made in their ability to care for their horses. In some instances, the book has quite literally made the difference between life and death, as people were able to find understanding and solutions where none had been offered. We wrote this book to empower horse owners to be the best advocates possible for their horses' hoof health, and we are so glad that this is actually happening! Thank you, once again.




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