This collection of stories about working horses and the people who make a living riding them in Canada's mountain national parks suggests how eventful and adventurous life can be on horseback. Imagine chasing a herd of wild horses, galloping at full speed toward an impenetrable forest, and you get a sense of the excitement of the backcountry life. With nearly 30 years spent working in Jasper, Banff, Yoho and Glacier/Revelstoke national parks, retired warden Dale Portman has saddlebags stuffed with just such stories. "Riding on the Wild Side" shares some of his best.