Maximum Hoof Power

by Cherry Hill and Richard Klimesh, CJF
The Howell Equestrian Library
Cost: $30.00
Reviewed by Baron Tayler

If you've been around horses for any period of time, you've probably heard of this book. It is without a doubt one of the most referred-to books on the subject of hoofcare and farriery to be published in the past 10 years.

Comprehensive in nature, yet written in terms the layman and new horse owner can easily understand, Maximum Hoof Power is a must for every equestrian's library. Simply looking through the titles of the chapters tells it all:

• Shoeing Demystified
  • Old Mare's Tales
  • Your Questions Answered
  • Foot Works
  • To Shoe or Not to Shoe
  • The Shoeing Process
  • If the Shoe Fits...
• Movement and Performance
  • Freeze Frame
  • Factors that Affect Movement and Performance
  • Dealing with Gait Defects
  • Shoeing for Your Event
  • Common Problems
  • Training Your Horse For Shoeing
  • Foal Hoof Management
  • Horsekeeping
  • The Lost Shoe Dilemma
  • Teamwork

The illustrations and photographs are excellent. There are checklists, special information boxes, and even hints on what to do in "emergency" situations until your farrier can arrive on the scene and put things right.

I'll repeat what I said at the beginning of this review: Every horse owner should own a copy of this book. (And read it.....)

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