Following four horses--all siblings--from birth through their breaking-in and first year of training, this book from a highly respected American master of classical training provides an intimate glimpse into the life of a horseman and his horses. Paul Belasik shares the breaking and training system he has used for nearly 40 years to prepare horses for classical dressage or almost any riding discipline. The progress of these young horses through their initial training is charted in detail, revealing enlightening aspects of horse personality and the tried-and-true methods of a longtime horse trainer. Follow along as four young horsesCorsana, Kara, Elsa, and Escarpaleave their babyhood behind and begin their training for future careers as sport horses, well schooled in the art of classical dressage. Renowned rider, trainer, author, and equestrian philosopher Paul Belasik shares the daily schedule, weekly events, and his own musings over each horse's character, physicality, athletic ability, and training as the months and seasons pass. Belasik's honest and enlightened journal entries give the reader an inside look at training horses according to the classical system he has used for almost 40 years. His style of writing allows the reader to "live" the experiences as he didin the moment, and without the benefit of hindsight. The result is a true account, both thoughtful and thought provoking, and by turns tender and efficiently practical.

While many horsemen may have the opportunity to train a young horse in the course of their life, it is only he who both breeds and trains who benefits from working with full and half siblings, horses both closely related and distant. Training horses that share bloodlines, birthplace, and breaking-in techniques enables one to witness the power of nature and the influence of nurture on the eventual resulta "finished" riding horse. Whether that horse is a pleasure to work with and ride, or dull and dispassionate, or worsea danger to himself and othersis ultimately dependent on the right mixture of nature and nurture, and a sensitive knowledgeable hand to offer lessons in fair and yet effective measures. It is this that we witness, in words and photos, in the pages within. Paul Belasik opens his farm and his experience to us all, in the hope that his continuing education in the realm of horsemanship can be our own.