By Gianaclis Caldwell
Chelsea Green Publishing, 2023
368 pages, paperback, $39.95
Even if you are an experienced goat keeper, Gianaclis Caldwell’s “Holistic Goat Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Raising Healthy Animals, Preventing Common Ailments, and Troubleshooting Problems” is a book that you will want on your resource shelf. It is a book that not only answers questions about goat health and care but can help to deepen your connection to these farmyard friends.
Beginning with goat biology and behavior, Caldwell presents her knowledge in a way that feels both accessible and scientifically sound. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its focus on prevention, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where goats can thrive. Caldwell addresses everything from nutrition and housing to minimizing stress and goat social structures. She offers detailed guidance on forage quality, clarifies the confusing world of mineral supplementation, and explains balancing feed for different stages of a goat’s life.
Having kept goats for many years, I found Caldwell’s information refreshingly well researched, accurate, and presented in a clear and understandable manner. The book is titled “Holistic Goat Care,” but it does include modern veterinary treatments alongside herbal remedies for common goat ailments. Caldwell encourages readers to approach goat care by integrating both approaches to find the best outcome for the animal. I found this pragmatic approach helpful and refreshing.
Caldwell also embraces the emotional life of a goat and talks about the ethics of goat care. Encouraging readers to view goats as more than just livestock — something any goat keeper won’t find hard to do — she stresses the importance of trust and mutual respect.
Visually the book is user-friendly with charts, diagrams, and photographs to break down the topics, making it easy to find what you need. The inclusion of case studies and real-life examples adds a trustworthy and relatable touch.
Caldwell’s book is comprehensive, but it may feel a bit dense for those just starting out. New goat keepers may want to pair it with a few other more introductory resources. But for new and experienced goat keepers, “Holistic Goat Care” is a goldmine of information. The book has earned itself a spot on my bookshelf, and I would recommend it to anyone considering goats or expanding an existing herd.
– Kirsten Lie-Nielsen
This review was originally published in the spring 2025 issue of The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener. Browse the archives for free content on organic agriculture and sustainable living practices.
