By Dr. Helen Douglas
Published by General Store Publishing House, Renfrew, Ontario
ISBN: 978-1-926962-39-9 ~ $50.00 ~ Hardcover, 341 pages

Reviewed by Emily Penn

Horse of a Lifetime by Dr. Helen Douglas is a collection of sixty unique stories about amazing horses across Canada, beautifully presented in a hardcover volume. Douglas, an Ontario veterinarian, travelled from coast to coast finding touching tales of great horses that have made an impact on Canadians. Not just reserved for the famous horses, this book tells the stories of Canada’s unsung heroes, from the family pet to the competitive athlete.

There are tales for every kind of horse lover. The book features horses from driving ponies to police mounts, eventers to barrel racers, and many more that have made a difference in Canadian lives. This book offers the heartwarming opportunity to read about the bond between horse and human.

Douglas’s stories range from that of Gina Smith’s famous dressage partner, Faust, to Bonita 4, Jim MacKay’s cutting horse, to Revlon’s Princess Midas, the show jumping mare ridden by Shirley Prosser. These horses, though they came from diverse backgrounds, all excelled in their own special way, and enriched the lives of the people around them.

The beautiful colour photos give life to the memorable faces of the beloved animals that are important to so many of us. The narrative and pictures work hand in hand to provide complete portraits of each these memorable horses. Horse of a Lifetime proves that no matter the discipline or breed, the relationship shared between equestrians and our horses is a thing to be treasured.

Available at amazon.com and chapters.indigo.ca, or to order a signed copy visit www.DrHelenDouglas.ca.