From the keeper of a family milk cow to the rancher overseeing a large beef herd, anyone who works with cattle has a vested interest in maintaining the animals' health. In most cases, the financial viability of a farm depends on the continued well-being of the farm animals. Large-animal veterinarians are in short supply and their bills can add up quickly, so it's often up to the farmer to provide routine health care.
"The Cattle Health Handbook" is the essential medical reference for farmers and ranchers confronting day-to-day bovine health issues. Heather Smith Thomas, an expert on livestock with decades of first-hand experience, covers every routine situation -- and many not-so-common problems -- likely to arise on a cattle ranch or dairy farm. Three broad sections cover common diseases, ailments specific to certain body systems, and other ailments and injuries.
Beginning with detailed information on how to detect signs of illness, the book progresses through the various causes of cattle health problems, describing symptoms and discussing prevention and treatment. Readers will find reassuring advice on handling bacterial and viral diseases; digestive and respiratory problems; eye, skin, foot, and mouth irritations; injuries and wounds; and much more. Thomas also helps farmers recognize when a situation calls for veterinary assistance. Case histories, real characters, and humorous anecdotes give the text a warm voice of authority.
Primary income source or country hobby, cattle are unique; the people who care for them want their animals to be healthy and comfortable. For the first-time dairy farmer or the experienced cattle rancher, this reliable volume is a must-have resource.

Covering everything they need to know about facilities, breeding, and health care, this new edition features a photographic gallery of many types of horses; expanded material on recognizing, preventing, and treating a wide range of health issues, including insulin resistance, skin conditions, and digestive disorders; new vaccination protocols, including vaccinating for West Nile Virus; and updated information on breeding methods, foaling problems, and the care of broodmares and new foals.

"Conformation" concerns body structure and anatomy. In this comprehensive volume, Heather Smith Thomas explains how conformation relates to function and what to look for when evaluating a horse. She teaches the reader to see beyond a horse's physical beauty to identify desirable attributes and potential faults, and with copious illustrations and explanations, trains the eye to recognize the hallmarks of soundness, durability, trainability, and athletic potential.
Thomas begins with an in-depth discussion of equine anatomy and the importance of balance and proportion. She also explains how to detect "heart," that indefinable quality that distinguishes a horse from his peers and compels him to excel. The book concludes with real-world applications of the principles of good conformation, including helping a horse succeed by matching him with the right job and what the conformation of the aging horse can tell you.
Horses with good conformation move fluidly, experience less wear and tear on joints, and are more apt to stay fit and sound during a long life of service. Whether you're buying your first horse, choosing breeding stock, or simply want to learn more about your equine companion, "The Horse Conformation Handbook" will help you understand horses better than ever before.

Whether a farmer is raising one cow or a herd, Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle is the most reliable reference for ensuring a successful, healthy cattle operation. In this fully updated, full-colour 4th edition, long-time cattle rancher and author Heather Smith Thomas explains every aspect of bovine behavior and provides expert guidance on breed selection, calving, feeding, housing, pasture, and health care. Along with in-depth information on raising grass-fed animals, there is also advice on creating a viable business plan and identifying niche markets for selling beef.

Every cattle farmer -- from the keeper of a family milk cow to the rancher overseeing a large herd -- will gain confidence and control by becoming more knowledgeable about calving. Healthy pregnancies, safe births, and thriving calves are critical to every cattle operation, and in remote farm locations, the veterinarian is not always readily available. Even if the vet is nearby, the farm's finances will be healthier if the farmer can oversee most of the calving process.
Heather Smith Thomas, an expert on livestock with decades of firsthand experience, covers every routine situation likely to arise before, during, and after calving. And when the calving process is out of the ordinary, Thomas guides the farmer through pregnancy problems, difficult deliveries, recognizing when to call in a vet, and postpartum complications. Her thorough coverage of what to expect in every situation gives farmers the knowledge they need to care personally for their cows.
The second half of the book is dedicated to ensuring that every calf gets off to a healthy start. Thomas helps farmers work with cows reluctant to nurse, substitute mothers, and frail calves. A complete chapter on calfhood illnesses explains warning signs and offers tips on prevention and treatment.
As people return to farming in growing numbers, the demand for safe, humane livestock knowledge continues to increase. Farmers will turn to this reliable volume again and again as they welcome each new calf.

Whether a farmer is raising one cow or a herd, Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle is the most reliable reference for ensuring a successful, healthy cattle operation. In this fully updated, full-color fourth edition, long-time cattle rancher and author Heather Smith Thomas explains every aspect of bovine behavior and provides expert guidance on breed selection, calving, feeding, housing, pasture, and health care. Along with in-depth information on raising grass-fed animals, there is also advice on creating a viable business plan and identifying niche markets for selling beef.

With nearly every supermarket now featuring an "organic" section, the demand for organically grown meat and dairy products has risen rapidly in recent years. Small farmers have taken note, and many more beginners are considering cattle as a viable farm commodity. Getting Started with Beef & Dairy Cattle is the essential handbook for this growing audience.
Heather Smith Thomas, a lifelong cattle rancher and author of several previous books for more experienced farmers, offers a succinct layperson's guide to the basics of raising a small herd of cattle, whether for meat or dairy products. She outlines organic and natural farming methods and covers all the information needed to get started and be successful.
Getting Started with Beef & Dairy Cattle encourages new and beginning farmers to start small, and start right. Thomas explains as simply as possible the basics of selecting and raising a calf, along with feeding, shelter, and care guidelines. She also covers breeding and calving, as well as tips for managing a herd throughout the seasons. There's basic health care information for preventing disease and addressing common ailments. For those raising beef cattle, Thomas offers guidelines for butchering; for those raising dairy cattle, there are step-by-step guidelines on milking.
With a whole new generation returning to the farm who don't have a family history of farming, Getting Started with Beef & Dairy Cattleis a much-needed resource. Heather Smith Thomas has devoted her life to passing on the knowledge, understanding, and attitude necessary to become a successful farmer.

Storey's Guide to Training Horses is a one-stop reference for every aspect of horse training, including a complete program for turning a shy and gangly foal into a calm, confident, well-balanced equine partner. Now with full-colour photography, the third edition includes step-by-step guidance on all the essential training procedures for both English- and Western-style riding, including haltering and leading, saddling and mounting, and addresses the finer points of gaits, lightness, and collection. Best-selling author Heather Smith Thomas draws on her decades of equestrian experience to anticipate every situation that might arise and provide answers to addressing all the potential challenges of training different types of horses.