The author is pointing out weak points much needed in ethical riding discussion. On the other hand, there is nothing revolutionary or novelty for an expearienced rider. The only shocking part is that the same problems arriving in todays ethical riding disscusions were obvious and pointed out back then, almost twenty years ago. Which means nothing really have changed.
The hudge disadventage of the book is leaving the readers with some medically accurate, but too specific expressions without any further explanaition - although the author is a vet, he seems not to understand that most of his expected audience aren't vets or medical proffesionals and that he needs to (at least) explain some terms deeper to allow better general understanding of the book.
Summing up: good book, but too short or too obvious for an expearienced rider to even bother. But will for sure recommend it to the younger generation of riders or novice riders to prevent them from bad riding habits, oftenwise leading to injuries in their horses and unnecessary vet bills.