Farm and working animals: general interest Books

Book SynopsisA collection of stories by a veterinarian, featuring wild horses, porcupine-quill-covered dogs, male cats in labour, an extremely ornery pygmy donkey, and many other domestic, exotic, and farm animals.

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Book SynopsisHuman-horse relationships take the central place in this edited collection examining the horse’s perspective by asking: How are human-equine relationships communicated, enacted, understood, encouraged, and restricted? The contributors apply varied disciplinary methods as they emphasize comprehending horses not solely in terms of their functional uses, but also as impactful participants in relationships, whether more—or less—equally. By exploring the “who” of horses, The Relational Horse offers a better understanding of horses’ lived experiences and interests within the worlds they share with humans, and a way forward for human-equine studies that more equitably represents the horse in those shared worlds.Table of ContentsGala Argent Acknowledgements List of Illustrations Introduction: Humans and Horses in the Relational Arena   Gala Argent and Jeannette Vaught part 1 Relationships, Communication, and Connection 1 Synchrony or Dominance? Equine Social Relations in Feral and Domestic Horses   Lucy Rees 2 Can You Hear Me (Yet)?—Rhetorical Horses, Trans-Species Communication, and Interpersonal Attunement   Gala Argent 3 Reining-in the Vital Powers of Horses   Stephen Smith 4 Ceremony and Psychoanalytic Thought A Theoretical Framework for Exploring Horse-Human Relationships and Connection   Joseph J. Lancia part 2 Attributions of Equine Subjectivity and Agency 5 “The Steed Knew Well His Master Was Slain” Human-Horse Relationships in the Age of Heroes—the Scandinavian Iron Age   Kristin Armstrong Oma 6 Barn Banter An Exploration of Anthropomorphism and ‘Equine-o-morphism’ as Agency   Dona Lee Davis, Anita Maurstad and Sarah Dean 7 “Horses are Like Babies” Work and Skill in the Care of Racehorses   Rebecca Richart part 3 Sex, Gender, and Exploitation 8 Mareitude Misogyny in the Horse World   Julia Johnson 9 Is it Sex if the Veterinarian Does the Work? The Problem of Pleasure in Multispecies Sexual Labor   Jeannette Vaught 10 Believing Ginger Revisiting Black Beauty During #MeToo   Angela Hofstetter part 4 Personhood, Property, and the Interspecies Family 11 Negotiating Power, Personhood & (In)equality in Elite Horse‐Rider Relationships   Rachel Hogg 12 How Horses Matter in Eastern Mongolia Cross-Breeding, Gaited Horses and Relationships with the Land on the 21st Century Steppe   Robin Irvine 13 Horses as Healers Shifting Paradigms and Ethics in Equine Assisted Therapies   Arieahn Matamonasa Bennett    Afterword Moving Human-Equine Studies Forward, with Horses   Jeannette Vaught and Gala Argent Index

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Book Synopsis'a delightful and funny memoir of her family's crazy life in the English countryside. Perfect escapist reading for these locked-down times.' - SALMAN RUSHDIE'a heartwarming tale of country living' - SUNDAY EXPRESS'a charming memoir and a perfect choice for these unsettling times' - DEVON LIFE'A total joy... enchanting, hilarious and vivid... Beautifully written, richly informative...' - LIZ CALDER'A gem ... A heart-warming memoir of moving to the glorious Cornish countryside and taking up farming is the perfect antidote to city life.' - NIKOLA SCOTT"A love letter to the British countryside...a wonderfully earthy story of fresh Cornish air...an adventure from start to finish." - TOWN & COUNTRY"A light-hearted account of 30 years of trial and error on a Cornish farm...I loved every minute..." - SAGAEver dream of packing up and escaping to a simpler life on the land, just the Cornish landscape and a few cows and goats rising up to greet you each day? When Rosanne and her husband left city life for the Cornwall idyll they knew little of farming, the seasons and milking; but over time they found their way, rising to each new challenge and embracing all that the land gave them.Growing Goats and Girls lovingly and invitingly charts the rural, hardworking and joyfully haphazard lives of Rosanne and her husband as they escape London to live off the land. In their tumbled-down farmhouse in Cornwall, they learn to rear goats, chickens, cows, bees - and two children - get to grips with unruly machinery and cantankerous farmers, and chart the changing seasons in glorious countryside over thirty years.Heart-warming and uplifting in its celebration of the simple things, this earthy portrait of life on the land taps into our collective imagination. After all, who hasn't dreamed of new beginnings, escaping into nature and living more simply. Growing Goats and Girls reminds us to appreciate the fleeting, timeless moments of beauty, nature and the simple comforts of family life.Trade Review'A gem of a book that made me fall in love with Cornwall all over again! If you've ever dreamed of leaving it all behind, Rosanne Hodin's funny, heart-warming memoir of moving to the glorious Cornish countryside and taking up farming is the perfect antidote to the busy-ness of city life.A total joy... enchanting, hilarious and vivid... Beautifully written, richly informative...A love letter to the British countryside...a wonderfully earthy story of fresh Cornish air...an adventure from start to finish. - Town & Country

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Book SynopsisA knitting book focusing on the sheep-to-shawl process by a well-known knitter, shepherd, and artisanal yarn producer. Gain an insider''s view on fiber farming and yarn craft, from sheep to skein, all told through the eyes of shepherd and textile artisan Barbara Parry. Follow her flock over the course of a year and discover all the facets of life with sheep: from shearing day and lambing season, to preparing fiber for yarn. Along the way you''ll find projects for the fiber obsessed by top knitwear designers, essays on country life, and over 100 stunning photographs. With the growing locavore movement, the rising trend in sustainable farming, and the ever-increasing interest in crafting, this book is perfect for those who yearn for a closer connection to a rural lifestyle and who enjoy making things by hand.

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Book SynopsisCorey Mosen is a wildlife biologist working for the Department of Conservation and specialising in helping to save the endangered kea. He is passionate about conservation and photography, spending most of his holidays volunteering on various conservation projects around the world. He lives in Nelson with Ajax, his wife and twin babies.

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Book SynopsisBased on the authors' considerable experience of teaching modern pig production methods to university students, this book is a concise guide to running a successful pig enterprise. Practical advice on all aspects of day-to-day management is supplemented by essential background information on nutrition, reproduction, genetics, and evaluation and testing techniques. The changing requirements of pigs as they develop are described, as are the differing demands of large and small production units. The authors wish to encourage would-be pig producers in developing countries, and have given special attention to their needs. They discuss the role of pig production in the context of other agricultural activities, and fully cover the subject of production economics. Technological issues regarding pig production are also well covered.

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Book SynopsisFilled with lively anecdotes, poems and mythological stories, Barrington sets out to map the evolution and bond between man and dog; how dogs developed from the wild into the beloved companions as we know them today.Trade ReviewI read John Barrington’s book with growing delight. This working shepherd writes beautifully about his animals, about the wildlife, trees and flowers which surround him at all times, and he paints an unforgettable picture of his glorious corner of Western Scotland. It is a lovely story of a rather wonderful life. JAMES HERRIOT on Red Sky at Night

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Book SynopsisMove over Pilates, take a hike Zumba, because there’s a new health craze taking gyms and…er… farms everywhere by storm. Goat yoga, or goga is the latest sensation to sweep the Internet. It’s a yoga workout, but with the addition of goats, and all the cool “kids” are lining up to practice their downward-facing goat and happy baby poses. In this brilliant guide, goat-yoga instructor Gus will tell you all you need to know about this hilarious fitness phenomenon and show how you too can join in the fun and flourish just like your farmyard friends. Namaste.

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Book SynopsisA new critical terms volume addressing the growing, vigorously interdisciplinary field of animal studies.Trade Review"Lori Gruen has created an intellectual cafe in which leading scholars offer their insight and wisdom, in incisive and stimulating entries, on topics central to animal studies, all the while incorporating intersections with feminist, postcolonial, disability, environmental, and anti-racist scholarship. Richly textured, inviting and empowering, this is a dream book for students, academics, and activists alike."--Carol J. Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat and Burger "Lori Gruen, who is herself at the forefront of animal studies, has rounded up the leading scholars in the field, and together they have produced a text that will define the field for the next generation."--Dale Jamieson, New York University "This book's standout feature is its analysis of animal studies terms across a wide array of disciplines and theoretical perspectives, ranging from anthropology and activism to biology and law. Although animal studies has been interdisciplinary from its beginnings, this volume considerably expands and deepens that interdisciplinary vision. Lori Gruen is a highly-recognized and well-respected scholar in the field and has brought together a superb mix of authors who represent the very best of the established discourse and the most exciting members of the new generation."--Matthew Calarco, California State University, Fullerton "This volume provides an overview of the some of the most central--and some of the most contested--concepts in the rapidly emerging inter-disciplinary area of animal studies. Unlike handbooks and readers, Critical Terms for Animal Studies is not focused on a selection of definitive texts but rather on setting the terms of the language used in the field. The subject of animal studies is at a crucial stage, still being mapped out and defining itself, and this volume is very useful, given its conciseness, its all-star cast of contributors, and its breadth in providing a guide to some of the key ideas. Taken along with the editor's introduction, which nicely situates the history of animal studies and lays out some vital strands and debates, I think many animal studies scholars will see this book as an anchor text."--Colin Jerolmack, New York University

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Book SynopsisWhy, for many centuries, was the wheel abandoned in the Middle East in favor of the camel as a means of transport? This richly illustrated study explains this anomaly. Drawing on archaeology, art, technology, anthropology, linguistics, and camel husbandry, Bulliet explores the implications for the region's economic and social development during the Middle Ages and into modern times.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Enlivened throughout with firsthand anecdotes of the authors and other service animal handlers, this long overdue handbook is a winner." --Booklist "This book is one of a kind. Detailed, easy to read, and well researched."--Toni Ann Eames, cofounder and president of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners"Traveling with Service Animals prepares those traveling with Service Animals to answer the call with confidence when far off horizons beckon. These well-traveled authors share their experiences, best practices, travel tips and in depth travel information to assure every journey with a Service Animal becomes a stress free, pleasurable experience. This book is a must to have to get there!"--Sheila O’Brien, President of the North American Region of Assistance Dogs International "Traveling with Service Animals is a must-read for any service dog handler interested in travel with their four-legged partner. Henry and Chris balance relatable anecdotes with practical information, helping the reader navigate legal and logistical hurdles to ultimately open up their world."--Sarah Birman, director of training and client services, Canine Companions for Independence

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Enlivened throughout with firsthand anecdotes of the authors and other service animal handlers, this long overdue handbook is a winner." --Booklist "This book is one of a kind. Detailed, easy to read, and well researched."--Toni Ann Eames, cofounder and president of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners"Traveling with Service Animals prepares those traveling with Service Animals to answer the call with confidence when far off horizons beckon. These well-traveled authors share their experiences, best practices, travel tips and in depth travel information to assure every journey with a Service Animal becomes a stress free, pleasurable experience. This book is a must to have to get there!"--Sheila O’Brien, President of the North American Region of Assistance Dogs International "Traveling with Service Animals is a must-read for any service dog handler interested in travel with their four-legged partner. Henry and Chris balance relatable anecdotes with practical information, helping the reader navigate legal and logistical hurdles to ultimately open up their world."--Sarah Birman, director of training and client services, Canine Companions for Independence

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Book SynopsisThe most complete text and reference on contemporary beef cattle production available. New edition merges current production technology with management and flexible marketing. Text organization reflects the industry: cow-calf (including purebred herds), stocker or growing phase, and the feedlot or finishing phase. Explains scientific basis of beef production. Describes proven management techniques for efficient production.Table of ContentsPartial table of contents: The Commercial Cow-Calf Program. Beef Cattle Selection and Crossbreeding. Matching Cow Productivity and Resources. The Purebred Program. Pregnancy, Parturition, and Care of the Calf. Principles of Feeding Beef Cattle. Forage and Roughage Utilization. Managing the Cow Herd for Reproduction. Management of Nursing Calves. Operation of the Stocker Program. Receiving Programs for Stressed Stocker and Feeder Cattle. The Cattle Finishing Program, History, Present Situation, andFuture Trends. The Importance of Age and Sex in Growing and Finishing. The Importance of Feeder Grade to Growing and Finishing. Nutrition and Management of Finishing Program. Index.

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Book SynopsisMason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties, now in its sixth edition, has a long history as a reliable and authoritative source of key livestock breed information. Intended as a list of livestock names and synonyms for breeds, groups, types and varieties worldwide, the dictionary aims to include all names found in the literature, 'defining' each breed or type with a brief indication of identifying characteristics, uses and source of origin. Expanded into a new edition, this established and trusted resource: Extends coverage to include yak and camelids in addition to the existing cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, asses and water buffalo.Features well over 10,000 entries and cross-references on breeds, sub-breeds, types, varieties, strains and lines of species.Covers newly created and now-recognised local breeds documented over the past two decades. An important updated work, Mason's Dictionary forms a useful reference for livestock breeders and academics interested in breeds, as well as national and international organizations with interests in livestock.

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Book SynopsisA humorous and helpful illustrated field guide to avoiding interactions--both dangerous and annoying--with 50 wild animals, including survival techniques, wildlife etiquette, and other essential advice.As humans encroach on wild places, encounters with animals--from bears, bison, mountain lions, and mice to turkeys, ticks, rats, and raccoons--have become increasingly commonplace. But, wait, what are the rules for facing a moose up close? Do you run from a coyote or stand your ground? How deadly, really, are black widow spiders, rattlesnakes, and sharks? Packed with expert tips, fascinating animal facts, and harrowing true tales, Look Big is a must-have survival guide for outdoor, urban, and suburban adventurers alike. If you have ever feared the approach of a grizzly, the spray of a skunk, or an army of cockroaches in the kitchen, this book is for you.

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Book Synopsis101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily will show you the finer points of how to spoil your chickens and beautify your coop with money-saving projects and hacks.Trade ReviewI was extremely happy to find several different recipes for making your own chicken feed, scratch mixes, sprouted grains, fermented feed, and more * Under A Tin Roof *

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Book SynopsisGot a little space and a hankering for fresh eggs? Robert and Hannah Litt have dispensed advice to hundreds of urban and suburban chicken-keepers from behind their perch at Portland’s Urban Farm Store, and now they’re ready to help you go local and sustainable with your own backyard birds. In this handy guide to breeds, feed, coops, and care, the Litts take you under their experienced wings and share the secrets to: Picking the breeds that are right for you • Building a sturdy coop in one weekend for $100 • Raising happy and hearty chicks • Feeding your flock for optimal health and egg nutrition • Preventing and treating common chicken diseases • Planning ahead for family, neighborhood, and legal considerations • Whipping up tasty egg recipes from flan to frittata With everything that first-timers will need to get started—along with expert tips for more seasoned keepers—this colorful, nuts-and-bolts manual proves that keeping chickens is all it’s cracked up to be.

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Book SynopsisGregarious or shy, curious or placid, playful or retiring, all the animals in Traer Scott’s newest collection have one thing in common: a sparkling personality! This whimsical, soulful, and personal photo collection focuses on the lives of the farm animals we often take for granted. Scott introduces us to barnyard animals both familiar and lesser known, from cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens to Dolly the wooly llama, Bianca the Sicilian miniature donkey, Percy the Indian peafowl, and Justice the yak. Some of the animals are kept as pets; others are denizens of farm sanctuaries that Scott has visited. She shares her anecdotes about a Texas longhorn steer whose best friends are a trio of goats, a turkey who likes to snack on grapes and watermelon, and many others. Lively captions provide information on each breed, to round out this enchanting tribute to our four-legged (and winged) friends from the farm.Trade Review"Gregarious or shy, placid, playful of retiring, all the animals in Traer Scott’s newest collection have one thing in common – great looks and personality. This whimsical photo collection focuses on the lives and history of livestock both familiar and lesser known, from cows, sheep and poultry to Dolly the woolly llama and Bianca the Sicilian miniature donkey. This is an intriguing book with enchanting photography over 120 pages." -- Countryside Magazine"IN THIS new book from photographer Traer Scott, we find ourselves presented with an unusual subject. Portraits of animals are not unusual per se but these images offer us an intimate insight into animals. Cows, pigs, chickens and sheep gaze into the camera lens; all of them are farmyard animals. Any photography book that deals with a subject such as this will inevitably mention the ethics surrounding the industrial scale of meat farming, providing us with the food we consume daily. However, Scott is keen to point out that this volume is not concerned with taking sides and instead she chooses to take an objective approach to the subjects. Not all of the animals featured are kept for slaughter, some are kept as pets." -- Amateur Photographer'“Pigs,” writes the American photographer Traer Scott, in the introduction to her new book, Radiant: Farm Animals Up Close and Personal, “remind me of huge, brainy, food-obsessed toddlers.” Pictured here is a Yorkshire Cross named Ben David, born as a runt, and brought up in the care of a woman who bottle fed and potty trained him, until he was ready to stand on his own four feet. Nowadays, he lives at an animal sanctuary, where he has a new surrogate mother in the form of a sow named Honey, to whom he is, says Scott, “very attached.”' -- TheTelegraph"Ben David the Yorkshire cross pig [...] is one of 42 rescued farm animals that American photographer Traer Scott recruited for her new book, Radiant. Scott spent a year trying to capture the best side of a dwarf goat or lure chickens to her backdrop. Farm animals, she says, live in the shadows of domestic and exotic animals." -- The Times Magazine

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Book SynopsisA classic guide from beekeeping expert Ron Brown OBE. A charming and practical guide for anyone wishing to keep bees, accompanying the would-be beekeeper through every season of the bee-keeping year. From spring awakening and summer swarms to the autumn honey harvest and providing winter protection, this essential resource guides you each step of the way. There is extensive advice for beekeeping beginners, from siting and smoking your hives to rearing a queen and controlling your swarm. There is also in-depth information for improvers and more experienced apiarists who wish to experiment with different hive-management and queen-rearing techniques. Troubleshooting tips on protecting your hives and keeping your bees healthy are also covered. The book is also packed with practical advice on using beeswax, and of course, extracting and making the tastiest honey.

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Book SynopsisFrom the milk we drink in the morning to the leather shoes we slip on for the day, to the steak we savour at dinner, our daily lives are thoroughly bound up with the cow. Yet there is a far more complex story behind this seemingly benign creature, which Hannah Velten explores here, plumbing the rich trove of myth, fact and legend surrounding the cow, bull and ox. From the plowing field to the rodeo to the temple, Velten tracks the constantly changing social relationship between men and cattle, beginning with the domestication of aurochs around 9000 BC. From there, "Cow" launches into a fascinating story of religious fanaticism, scientific exploits and the revolutionary economic transformations engendered by the trade of the numerous products derived from the cow and bull. Velten explores in engaging detail how despite the creature's prominence at two ends of a wide spectrum Hinduism venerates the cow as one of the most sacred members of the animal kingdom, while beef is a prized staple of the Western diet the animal is essentially viewed today as a objectified commodity more than as a living creature. Thought-provoking and informative, "Cow" restores this oft-overlooked herbivore to the nobility it richly deserves.Trade Review... the book's design and illustrations are beautiful ... Velten has a passion for her subject and it comes across. Her account is sweeping but precisely detailed, and subtly persuasive. You come to believe her theme isn't odd at all: this kind of study and awareness should be mainstream. Look hard at cows and you learn about humans. Fascinating and delightful. Financial Times Magazine ... a great book ... a fascinating mix of history, myth and record prices paid for top breeding animals. Eastern Daily Press ... an enjoyable read ... Cow deserves a place on the bookshelf of everyone concerned for the welfare of animals. Outrage

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