Barefoot and Back to Nature

 

I honestly thought this book would just repeat what is available on social media but I was soooooo wrong. Yes you can find similar info for each individual aspect online but that means dedicating alot of research and time into things like fencing, housing, surfaces, nutrition, enrichment etc and I guarantee you'll be so overwhelmed with information/opinions you'll end up just winging it likely resulting in costly and/or avoidable mistakes along the way. This book has it all and more. Things that I hadn't even thought about and would have done wrong had I not read this book but yet make so much sense that I'm left wondering why I hadn't thought of it in the first place. I haven't read the entire book yet but if it continues along the same vein as what I have read then the price for the book pays for itself in the costly mistakes I have avoided. Honestly if you are considering a track system you need this book and if for some unfathomable reason you decide its not for you I bet you could resell it for what you paid.

     

Linda

 

I buy lots of horse books and if I’m honest never read many of them, this book arrived at lunchtime and I can’t put it down, it is packed with ideas all based on personal experience, lovely pictures, really insppirational, I already keep my horses living out 24/7 with field shelters and have a wood chip turnout area for my EMS pony, but I would love my horses to live together and as they are all very different types a track would allow them to be together at least some of the time, then those that can, can have time on grass. Great book with more tips than just how to create a track system, pros and cons of all substrates, and paddock maintenance, really easy to read . If you own a horse, and especially own/rent your own land this is a must buy book

     

Shaz

 

Excellent book that every horse owner should have worldwide! 💪 Best book in my horsy library. I have done alot of research the last 5 years but whish i had this 6 years back before i started the journey of barefooting that changed not only my horse's lives but my mindset too about horse keeping. This book just has it all! Well written in detail. I started my track 4 years ago, i have bought more land and im ready to start the first track livery in Greece! Thanks Amy, this book was really helpful. I want to help more horses and owners 😉and to share with everyone the benefits of letting horses to be HORSES!

     

Stefani Antoniou

 

I’d been waiting for this book to be published as I follow Amy, the author, on social media. Amy runs a successful track livery business in the UK and I have to say that reading the book is like going along on a yard visit to Amy’s place and finding out how she created the tracks and other facilities. You learn from Amy’s considerable experience what has worked, what’s needed adjustment and how things are done on a day-to-day basis. There’s a great section on the horses themselves and on suitability for track life, there’s a wealth of information on running a track as a business, too. There’s a section on foot care and step-by step instructions to help you build your own facilities. It’s a very practical, applied book and if you have any ideas about setting up a track for your own horses - from a small, unsurfaced track around a relatively small area, to a comprehensive, surfaced track for your or clients’ horses, you’ll find what you want to know right here.

     

Donna CS

 

I cannot rate this book highly enough! Think you know a lot about track systems already? - there's still more to learn! The author has thought of everything; so many topics covered in detail along with great photos and a real eye for balance and an attractive layout. The section on running a track livery as a business is refreshingly open and even includes actual income and expenditure tables, staff rotas, contacts and so much more. Worth every penny compared to the time and money you could save yourself, this book also fundamentally challenges the way most horses are kept for the convenience of the human. It really is an extraordinary book!

     

Lucy T

 

A brilliant read. Inspiring and educational. Highly recommend. I have always had an interest in track systems, and I am halfway towards creating one on our family smallholding. I have followed Amy (and Buck) on social media for quite a while, so was keen to read the book. It answers my questions; inspiring and motivating me to keep moving forwards with my plans/dreams for the future. I have shown my family members the book, and they are keen too! Thank you Amy (and Buck).

     

Robin Kirk

 

Normally when I order a book it goes on the shelf and I don't see it for a while. NOT THIS BOOK! This book will live in my car and travel everywhere with me as it will be my bible while I'm setting up my track. So much fantastic advice in here, from building to enrichment. Every horse owner should have one because even if you can't do everything, you can do some things and this book will give you aspirations. Well done Amy, this is brilliant.

     

Mike C

 

I highly recommend this book by Amy Dell who runs the successful Abbotts View Livery in Buckinghamshire. It's accessible, clear and full of detailed information (and great photographs); perfect for anyone considering setting up a track system for their horses (or putting their horse on a livery track or simply keeping a horse!). It covers all the main topics, such as, the physical and psychological health benefits for horses, designing a track, materials for surface, fences and shelters, feeding, managing muck, enrichment and running a livery track business. It's written by someone who has years of valuable experience of running a track system and so full of knowledgeable tips (no doubt gained from trial and error that will save others so much time, work and heartache!) There's a quiet revolution happening in UK horse management and Amy is one of those leading the change - buy the book!!

     

Dr Carole Baker

 

As we are currently in the process of setting up a yard from scratch, at home, for our barefoot horses, Amy’s book couldn’t have come at a better time. I was lucky enough to be a livery at AVL for a few years and at the time Amy already impressed me with her generosity, how she was more than willing to share her experience of building up AVL, what worked and what didn’t. I already knew then that I would at some point buy my own land and leave AVL and Amy took it upon herself to mentor me from day one. Her knowledge is extensive, she has an exceptional ability to learn from day to day experience. And a passion for sharing. I know writing this book was a huge undertaking and it was time dedicated to owners and horses Amy will never meet, yet she is spreading the word and driving the change. And not only is it shared generously, but in such a well thought out form that it is easy to read, understand and apply. It is a guidebook that gives you solutions no matter what your setup is, it’s not a « this is how you do it » book. This is Amy holding your hand to make sure you don’t stumble or lose the will to live while trying to do right by your horses. I recommend this read to anyone who loves horses, as it is inviting and explains the hows AND the whys of track systems and an altogether different way of life for horses.

     

Koudou

 

What a great book! Amy has written an in depth guide that covers pretty much anything and everything you should know or consider about either using or setting up a track system for personal or business use. Very insightful real life examples (both good and bad) plus a handy index of companies and products that may be useful when you are starting to build your track. I wish this book had been available when I set my track up in 2015 as it would have become my go-to guide and may have saved me time and effort when things didn’t go quite to plan Whether you are just curious as to what track systems are and how they might benefit your horse or you are an equine professional or yard owner and want to understand how to set up your own track business this book is a must have.

     

LBD

 

If anyone out there owns horses (or really any grazing hooved species) and has limited space, I highly recommend this book—it will really change how you think about caring for and housing them! I’ve been following the growth of horse track systems/paddock paradise for awhile and was waiting for Amy to publish this book. And it’s wonderful—full color photos and diagrams make all the ideas east to understand and she doesn’t hesitate to share her “ooops” learning moments either (so we don’t have to!) If you aren’t familiar with the concept the idea is that instead of turning your property into a series of boxes-be it Stalls, dry lots, small pastures—you create long meandering ungrassed “tracks” with forage (usually netted hay) and enrichment put along the length to encourage more natural behaviors and movement. So those “always fat” ones move more and eat less and you still have the green “infields” for that stock that needs more fresh grass grazing. I love everything about this concept for pretty much all species held in a limited space setting and I’m excited to work on implementing it here at the new farm!

     

Heather Dant

 

This is the most sensible and practical horse book that I have ever read in over 50 years of being around and owning horses. Although not everyone (me included) has the facility to use a track system, the other principles around feeding, shelter, companionship, no shoes, rugs, and access to adlib forage can be adopted by all horse owners what ever sphere of horsemanship they are involved in from owning retirees or young stock, happy hackers and competition horses. The British Horse Society should get their students to read this. Well done and thank you Amy, and keep up the good work. I purchased my copy direct from Amy

     

John

 

Priorities while on vacation! Special thanks and shout out to Amy Dell-Anthony for writing this FANTASTIC resource for building a track system for horses! Abbotts View Livery: Barefoot and Back to Nature has done a great job raising awareness into this option for horse owners.

     

The Humble Hoof

 

For those of you who don’t already follow @abbottsviewlivery Amy has published her first book on track systems and I am absolutely BLOWN AWAY. Having kept my own horses naturally for years, this feels like an absolute bible and her insight into things I probably wouldn’t have even thought about is so invaluable. If you’re interested in the idea of track systems, curious about how to make your yard more horse friendly or even just keeping horses in more natural way, go grab this now. I could list all the reasons you should buy this book, but there are too many. it’s on Amazon or you can get a copy from Amy directly. You’ll save yourself time and money and gain a whole load of knowledge from an expert.

     

The Alchemist's Garden