Yellowknife (Feb 14/03) - The sweet smell of fresh hay, horse hair and saddle leather fill the buildings at North Country Stables.

Gilly McNaughton enjoys riding Norman, a 16.3-hand high Spanish Norman, at North Country Stables. - Erin Fletcher/NNSL photo

It's a soothing smell reminiscent of a bygone era when horses were everything to people -- transportation, co-worker and companion.

Unlike the rest of rural Canada, horses are a rare sight in the NWT, even outside Yellowknife.

But it doesn't mean they're less popular.

Veterinarian and horse enthusiast Dr. Tom Pisz sees about 60 riders a week taking lessons at North Country Stables.

Pisz moved to Yellowknife eight years ago.

"When I brought the first two horses, there were no horses in Yellowknife and people thought I was crazy," smiles Pisz as he strokes Willy, his 17.2-hand high Hanoverian gelding.

He admits there may have been some truth in the reaction -- the horses do cost a bit to feed because the hay must be shipped from Alberta and there is no pasture in the summer.

"It's worth it though," he smiles.

Now he has 15 horses and two ponies -- 11 of which are used for English horseback riding lessons (an indoor riding ring and acres of outdoor trails).

Riding in the North isn't much different then in the South, he says.

The horses don't suffer from the cold, especially if they are blanketed and brought inside at night.

"Horses are physiologically built to withstand cold weather," he says pointing out the furry ears, shaggy winter coat and fuzzy muzzle on Willy.

To keep the horses from getting chilled after a long ride he lightly shaves their bodies from the neck or withers to the rump so the sweat will easily evaporate.

The horses also aren't shod during the winter months because snow builds up around their metal shoes.

Although the stable is a thriving business, horses are still "just a hobby" to Pisz, who takes every opportunity to go for a ride.

"It's an amazing sport. You team up with the animal and the success depends on you both."

"(Horseback riding) keeps you in shape. It's like any other sport, but it's much richer for me."