This comprehensive book covers all aspects of equine nutrition and nutritional physiology. It is organized into 12 chapters: the digestive system; utilization of the products of dietary energy and protein; the roles of the major mineral and trace elements; vitamin and water requirements; ingredients of horse feeds; estimating nutrient requirements; feeding the breeding mare, foal, and stallion; growth; feeding for performance and the metabolism of nutrients during exercise; grassland and pasture management; pests and ailments related to grazing area; diet and housing; and laboratory methods for assessing nutritional status and some dietary options.
The book has several weaknesses. Many of the figures are incompletely explained and difficult to understand. The book has a strong metabolic emphasis; for example, the chapter on assessing nutritional status describes metabolic tests (blood and urine clinical chemistry), but does not mention feed testing and ration evaluation. The sections on specific diets for illnesses are sometimes superficial. Sometimes, the book seems to be aimed at equine science or agriculture students rather than veterinarians.
Strengths of the book include extensive references and a good index. Many topics are treated thoroughly, and the book includes much useful information about different feeds, the effects of processing, formulas for estimating weight from body measurements, growth curves, and the effects of exercise. Management practices and systems for measuring nutrient requirements from any parts of the world are reviewed.
I enjoyed reviewing the book and found the information useful. It can be recommended to veterinarians and students looking for a book that gives a thorough treatment of the basics of equine nutrition.