Some owners and breeders may wonder if early training is really necessary. The answer, says author Cherry Hill, is emphatically yes. Horses that have gone through well-planned restraint lessons are more likely to remain calm when tangled in ropes or fences, experience less trauma when restrained by the veterinarian for treatment, have better manners for farrier work, and test the limits of their behavior less often. In short, she says, if you want a good horse later on, start training while they're young. The book begins with an overview of equine behavior and learning, including a section on modifying, reinforcing and shaping behavior. In Part Two, Hill focusses on the hands-on training from catching and haltering the suckling foal to long-reining the two-year-old. She explains the specific equipment necessary in each phase and adds helpful hints. Many of the black-and-white photographs show Hill demonstrating the techniques herself. Part Three is about management and covers a variety of topics ranging from veterinary care to nutrition. Hill never forgets to offer guidelines for the foal's comfort and the trainer's safety. For example, in a list of rules to follow when handling foals, she suggests never moving faster than a walk. She also explains that leaving a halter on a young foal is dangerous and sidesteps a very important lesson: haltering. It doesn't matter what breed the foal is or whether it will be ridden western or English, the advice offered in The Formative Years is well worth taking. From haltering and ponying to lunging with side reins, author and horsewoman Cherry Hill writes with authority and experience. HIGHLIGHTS - Behavior and learning - Training principles - The suckling foal - The weanling - The yearling - The two-year-old - Characteristics of the successful trainer - Veterinary care and health management - Nutrition - Confinement and exercise - Stress - Puberty - Glossary. 240 pgs Perfect Bound 1988