Into the mountains and across the country: emergent forms of equine adventure leisure in Canada

This study reveals how equine adventure leisure serves as a transformative escape from societal power structures, illustrating its potential to redefine human-animal relationships and territorial experiences. By analyzing two historical case studies—Mary Shaffer’s early 20th-century journey into Jasper National Park and Barbara Kingscote’s post-WWII cross-Canada horseback trek—the research demonstrates how such adventures embody Deleuze and Guattari’s 'lines of flight,' enabling participants to challenge gender, class, and territorial norms. The findings highlight the emergence of a mutual ethics of caring between humans and horses, fostering new forms of dialogue and material alliances that transcend conventional social boundaries.

Gilbert, M., & Gillett, J. (2014). Into the mountains and across the country: emergent forms of equine adventure leisure in Canada. Loisir et Société / Society and Leisure, 37(2), 313–325. https://doi.org/10.1080/07053436.2014.936168