Lawrence Scanlan identifies the affinity that frequently develops between horses and humans as “horse fever,” a condition that has no known cure. He notes that young people, particularly girls approaching adolescence, have been known to convert their bedrooms into shrines to the noble steed. Undoubtedly, the occasional obsessed reader may even be tempted to mount some of the 16 glossy coloured photos from Horses Forever into a more personalized display.

The subject of horses is such an enormous one that the author was prudent to try to focus the topic somewhat, to concentrate on the bond that seems as old as time – or at least as old as France’s famous cave paintings. Nevertheless, the longstanding relationship between humans and horses still covers considerable territory, and so does this book. The reader learns of the ascendancy of horses in ancient history and myth, the role that Pony Express mounts played in opening up the American West, the bravest and best of the racing scene, and the darlings of print and silver screen. Whether horses are crossing a continent on an endurance mission or shielding a child from injury, the stories here celebrate the intelligence, durability, courage, and sheer glory of the animal.

Although the book takes a wide sweep of place and time, it also provides a few details about Canadian equine heroes, particularly the great thoroughbred stallion Northern Dancer and show-jumping champion Big Ben. No doubt there are other national mane-tossing treasures with star quality biographies and compelling personalities; one book just can’t manage to tell it all.

Readers from nine years to early adolescence who are in the grips of horse worship may be pleased enough to consume this book from cover to cover, quite uncritical of its tendency to meander. A strictly chronological approach might have inhibited the freedom of the chatty, anecdotal style Scanlan uses to engage readers. However, an index would not have compromised the tone of the book, and it would have assisted those not yet exposed to “the fever” – or those requiring succinct bits of information in a hurry.