Horsing Around Toronto and Beyond

Pat Galloway is the resource librarian for the Toronto & District Parent
Co-operative Preschool Corporation.

There is a time in almost everyone’s life when the lure of sitting on
a horse, fostered by late-night westerns or childhood classics, proves
irresistible. This book offers an Ontario cornucopia of ways to fulfil
those equestrian dreams.

As a guide to getting started in riding, this book neatly bridges the
gap between word-of-mouth recommendations (or skimpy Yellow Pages
listings) and horse industry journals, which are usually accessible only
to experienced riders. Its comprehensive listings cover most major
facilities in Metro and environs in the categories of trail rides,
lesson stables, riding adventures, and camps (both day and residential).
Well-organized chapters facilitate the task of finding a particular
style of stable in a given location.

Well-researched stable profiles give the reader a good sense of a
stable’s priorities as well as the opportunities it offers for
showing, training, or trail riding beyond the beginner or recreational
stage. Mason encourages parents to consider carefully a program’s
suitability. Should competitive riding be an option, or would a
low-pressure recreational stable be a better fit for their child? Which
programs are appropriate for the rider with special needs? Useful tips
on making these choices make this book more than just a run-of-the-mill
guide.

Unfortunately, there is no discussion of costs. Although rates are of
course subject to change, a general comparison of this sport and others
in terms of expenses would be of obvious benefit. Nevertheless, the book
can be highly recommended for introducing horse enthusiasts to the many
ways of seeing Ontario the “ride” way.