Synopses & Reviews
Cherry Hill, the best-selling author of
Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage, the classic book that has guided thousands of horse owners in establishing farms, now shares her expertise in an important, related topic: equipping the horse farm.
Hill provides in-depth information on every aspect of selecting, maintaining, and using the two most essential pieces of equipment — tractors and horse trailers. Accompanied by photographs and illustrations, she guides the reader through an evaluation of the options available in tractors, from horsepower and transmission options to tires and appearance. A checklist is included detailing what to look for if considering a used tractor.
On trailers, readers will find the answers to all their questions, beginning with the kind of trucks and hookup required for towing various capacity trailers to selecting the appropriate truck hitch. The thorough discussion of trailers details options in floor plans, loading entry, suspension, and accomodations for both horses and owners: tack room, living quarters, windows and vents, lights, feeders, and more.
Hill also discusses the smaller farm implements found on many horse farms, including loaders, discs, harrows, manure spreaders, mowers, post-hole diggers, hay balers, and wagons. Equipping Your Horse Farm is an authoritative, comprehensive handbook that every horse farmer will want to consult before investing in these critical items of farm equipment.
Review
"A great book with lots of common sense information ....This belongs on your reference shelf."
Small Farm Today, Fall 2006
Synopsis
Selecting appropriate, high-quality equipment is critical to running a horse farm safely and efficiently. The proper tractor, implements, trailer, and truck will lighten your workload and help you provide a clean, safe, and healthy environment for your horses.
Whether you keep one or two horses on a few acres or run a professional equine facility, Cherry Hill and Richard Klimesh, America's trusted voices on all things equine, will guide you through all your equipment purchases. You'll learn how to assess your farm's needs and how to avoid making choices that could result in costly maintenance and repair bills.
Hill and Klimesh lead you through every aspect of equipment selection, including all-purpose vehicles and a wide variety of implements such as loaders, mowers, harrows, and spreaders. This comprehensive handbook also includes advice on evaluating used tractors and trailers, tips on keeping your machinery and equipment in good working order, and guidelines for safe operation.
A point-by-point inventory of desirable features and accessories, numerous photographs and illustrations, and thorough checklists provide additional information as you make the best choices for your farm.
Synopsis
Cherry Hill and Richard Klimesh provide in-depth information on every aspect of selecting, maintaining, and using the most essential pieces of equipment on any horse farm -- tractors, horse trailers, and trucks.
Synopsis
Cherry Hill and Richard Klimesh provide in-depth information on every aspect of selecting, maintaining, and using the most essential pieces of equipment on any horse farm -- tractors, horse trailers, and trucks.
About the Author
Cherry Hill is an internationally known instructor, horse-trainer, breeder, and judge for several national breed organizations. She has taught university-level courses in horse management and training in the United States and Canada. Cherry has also written over 500 articles for-numerous horse publications and gives seminars for horsemen and writers. Cherry is the author of a plethora of books helpful in the horse world, including 101 Arena Exercises--for which she received the Colorado Authors' League Top Hand Award for Specialty Writing in 1996. Her other Storey titles include 101 Horsemanship &Equitation Patterns, From the Center of the Ring, Horse Handling and Grooming, Horse Health Care, and Your Pony, Your Horse. One of Cherry's most recent books is Stablekeeping, a guide to creating a safe, healthy and efficient living environment for your horse. She has also written Trailering Your Horse, a helpful book on how to prepare for safe traveling. A concise, talented writer, Cherry has won numerous writing awards--among the most recent include the First Place in Editorial Excellence in Service to the Reader from American Horse Publications in 1993, and the 1994 Journalism Award from The American Farmers Association. Cherry has also authored Storey's popular Arena Pocket Guides, six handy ring-side manuals teaching successive English and Western skills. These series titles are: Beginning English Exercises, Intermediate English Exercises, Advanced English Exercises, Beginning Western Exercises, Intermediate Western Exercises, and Advanced Western Exercises. Cherry rides year-round in the Colorado mountains and in her arena where she enjoys the logical approach to training offered by dressage. She breeds and trains horses at her Colorado ranch with her husband, equestrian illustrator and photographer Richard Klimesh.
Table of Contents
Preface: viii
Your Needs: 1
Tractor Features: 6
Buying a Tractor: 22
Tractor Implements: 37
All-Purpose Vehicles: 58
Skid Steers and Wheel Loaders: 73
Truck Features: 78
The Hitch: 93
Trailer Features: 106
Buying a Horse Trailer: 130
Safety and Maintenance: 139
Appendix A: Driving Tips: 153
Appendix B: Trip Checklists: 157
Glossary: 160
Resources: 168
Index: 176