The Village Horse Doctor

In the inimitable yarn-spinning fashion of Horse Tradin’ and Wild Cow Tales, Ben K. (Doc) Green now takes us back with him to the deep Southwest and the never-a-dull-moment years he spent as practicing horse doctor—working out of Fort Stockton, Texas—along the Pecos and the Rio Grande, in one of the last big “horse countries” of North America. With precious little formal schooling, but with a perfect (if sometimes profane) corralside manner and plenty of natural wit, Doc became the first to hang up a shingle out there in the trans-Pecos country. And he didn’t start small! The territory he had for his practice was 420 miles north and south by 360 miles east and west. And he covered that territory by all means known to man—shank’s mare, horseback, buckboard, and (his standby for long hauls) a beat-up old coupe on whose body panels he kept his books in chalk. To go with Doc on his rounds, visiting his “patients,” is a nostalgic and hilarious journey into a spacious yesterday—and a liberal education in the kind of horse and cow savvy of which precious little remains in the modern world. As a horseman it was a savvy he came by naturally. But perhaps he learned most from his own research: his own book on horse confirmation, privately published in several printings, is still a bible among practical horsemen; his research in his own laboratory on horse colors and pigmentation has made him an expert on what makes a “strawberry roan” or a “coyote dun.” But the meat of Ben Green’s books is in his yarns. To hear him tell the tales of his struggles with mean and friendly stockmen, yellowweed fever, banditos, poison hay, and “drouth”—to say nothing of his canny mix of science and horse sense when treating animals “that ain’t house pets”—is a 100-proof old-time pleasure.

A collection of twenty anecdotes about the Texas West, specifically tales from the corrals, livery stables and wagonyards by the old horse traders. The author is a semi-retired veterinarian.

Here are the yarns of a true cowboy for those who have in their blood either a touch of larceny, an affection for the Old West, or better yet, both. These twenty tales add up to a true account of Ben K. Green’s experiences around the corrals, livery stables, and wagon yards of the West. Green was a veterinarian who took down his shingle and went into horse trading, in what he imagined would be retirement. No stranger to the saddle, Green claims to have “with these bloodshot eyes and gnarled hands measured over seventy thousand horses.” His tales range from tricks to make an old horse seem young (at least until the poor creature died from the side effects of the scam) to a recipe for making a dapple-gray mule from a bucket of paint and a chicken’s egg. So you want to go into the horse business? You can learn the knavery, skill, salesmanship, and pure con man hokum of horse trading here, in a book every westerner or horse fancier should have on hand.

Unbreakable bonds. Thrilling equine emergencies. Heartwarming triumphs. In the eagerly anticipated third installment of "The Adventures of the Horse Doctor's Husband" series, readers embark on another thrilling journey through the exceptional world of equine emergencies. This collection of captivating short stories will immerse you in a whirlwind of heartwarming triumphs and poignant moments that reflect the unbreakable bond between humans and horses. Within these pages, you'll find yourself transported to the bustling rural landscapes where the horse doctor and her devoted husband tirelessly respond to the urgent calls that summon them to the aid of injured, ailing, and distressed equines. With every story based on real-life events, the authenticity of these remarkable tales is palpable, capturing the essence of both the horse lover's passion and the indomitable spirit of these magnificent creatures. From comedic escapades involving mischievous foals to a truck full of excited kids and their horse, the series' trademark humor will leave you chuckling and shaking your head in disbelief. While most are fun, a few are intense or even sad, but each story explores the breadth and depth of the human-animal connection. Like life, this can be a complicated thing, filled with nuance and emotion. The Adventures of the Horse Doctor's Husband 3 is a testament to the enduring power of love, compassion, and the extraordinary experiences that await those who devote themselves to the welfare of animals. Whether you're a dedicated equestrian, an animal lover, or simply in search of fascinating tales inspired by real-life events, this book is sure to warm your heart and ignite your imagination.