Keeping a Backyard Horse

By: Marguerite "Markie" Madden

Narrated by: Barbara Colvin

Hay is for horses! Everyone knows that, but do you know how much hay they need? Or how much water? Did you know your horse can talk to you with his ears? Or that he can sleep standing up? Follow along with Athena the horse as she explains the basics of keeping a horse in your backyard. She'll teach you the basic necessities of caring for your equine friend, from what kind of fencing you can use, to tips and tricks for keeping water thawed in winter weather, and even fun stuff you can do with your horse. Keeping a backyard horse can be fairly simple, and even if you have a tight budget, it can be done!

©2014 Marguerite Madden (P)2015 Marguerite Madden

A Great Primer on Horse Care

Provides exactly what it promises! As the cover image of the horse in the fly mask indicates, this isn't a children's tale about how horses are special but a practical guide about selecting and caring for a horse. However, in the tradition of Black Beauty, this book is told from the point-of-view of a horse. As such, the narrator uses a rather cartoony voice. At first, this seemed a bit silly, but I soon grew fond of it. This book is well-organized and full of great information.

I am not the intended audience for this book, I suppose - I do not and likely will never own a flesh-and-blood horse. I am a historical novelist, and I am trying to expand my horsey knowledge. So for my purposes, many of the details here (current hay prices, vaccines) didn't apply. But the general principles did.

You can tell Markie loves horses and wants the best for them. Athena (her horse, our narrator) is a lucky girl.

I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.

Doesn't Everyone Want a Horse?

What made the experience of listening to Keeping a Backyard Horse the most enjoyable?

I absolutely loved learning how to take care of your first horse through the perspective of the horse. The excitement in the performance made it a very easy read to listen to.

What other book might you compare Keeping a Backyard Horse to and why?

This is the first book I've read/listened to on the care of horses. It's definitely one I would recommend to anyone thinking of purchasing their first horse as the tips and insights are presented in a manner that is easily understandable...even for those who have never been around horses. I would have to do some research to find other books about horse care,.

What does Barbara Colvin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved her strong presentation. The humor came through perfectly, and her delivery was never weak or unsure. I would certainly recommend her to produce your next audio project.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The tips on things to watch for to determine a horse's current attitude are excellent. Listen carefully here so you don't get kicked and so you'll know if something's wrong with your horse.

Any additional comments?

This was an excellent primer for people who have recently purchased a horse, and even more important for those who are contemplating purchasing a horse. It was a delightful listen and jam-packed with the information you will need to know from helping your new horse become familiar with their pen, to how to properly give an injection and check for hoof problems. I strongly recommend this book.

Informative, Engaging, and Entertaining!

After growing up with horses, then an extended time without them I found this to be an exceptional, concise and thoroughly helpful resource. The narrator, Barbara Colvin really brings it alive from the viewpoint of Athena, Ms. Madden's own horse, making it exceptionally entertaining and engaging.

In this wonderful guide Ms. Madden covers a wide range of topics from general information like food, shelter, pest control, some great suggestions on how to purchase your first horse, to tack, grooming, medical care and so much more.

When I was younger, I raised and trained quarter horses for barrel racing and found this guide to be a great refresher. Her particular purpose is to educate new/prospective owners and prevent accidental horse neglect. A laudable purpose indeed, especially since in Texas alone countless numbers of horses are put out in a corral with bare ground and only rusty troughs for water. It's infuriating.

Keeping a Backyard Horse is MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all new/potential owners as well as anyone wanting a quick refresher reference guide accessible to all ages.

Keeping a backyard horse

This was a really good start to owning a horse.I wish I would have had all this information when I first got a horse as a child.Perfect for kids and ok for adults.Barbara Colvin did a fine job narrating.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”