The aim of the book is to provide practical information in a form which could be easily accessed and could travel with the veterinarian. It is appropriately called a handbook. This original book was very well received by veterinarians and the feedback provided has resulted in the current updated and considerably expanded version, according to the authors. The book is organized quite differently than other books on equine medicine and surgery. It is organized into body systems and within these systems follows a similar format.
Diagnosis is a strong theme in the book, and treatment is down-played somewhat.
The authors say this was done because in the busy life of the equine practitioner it is easy to overlook diagnosis in favor of treatment. Each body system is subdivided into important clinical areas and individual conditions are listed alphabetically within these areas. The chapter on Clinical Nutrition is written by John R. Kohnke, but it shows the same organization as the other chapters. Heavily sweating horses require higher amounts of calcium, sodium, potassium, and iron to replace sweat loss. Rations based on cereal grains and grass hays with little access to pasture may be relatively deficient in vitamins A, D, and E and some B-complex vitamins.