In the early morning, the stillness is broken by small clouds of dust billowing about a horse's hooves. A single stockman moves into the warm, soft rays of the Australian winter sun. Another workday has begun.

Stockmen, dust, and horses are synonymous with life in the Australian outback. There are those who say that the Australian outback was built on the sheep's back?and there are plenty more horsemen and horsewomen who would argue that point.

There are few places with a stronger or prouder heritage of horsemanship than the Australian outback. Even in an era when some have come to depend on motorbikes or helicopters, the main cog of mustering is still driven by the famous Australian horses and their riders. For many Australians, horses are at the core of their lives, not just as valued, reliable workers, but also as the stars of a huge culture of equine competition and leisure.

Quentin Szery's life has always been embedded in the equine world. Through his lifelong focus and observation of horse behaviour, he has developed great insight into their psychology. By harnessing the natural instincts of a horse, trainers can create a lifelong, symbiotic working relationship. Whether a horse is destined for the Olympic ring or the dusty outback, early and effective training is the key to success.

Written to inspire a wide cross-section of the equine-oriented world, Starting Horses with Quentin Szery offers readers a glimpse of an iconic horseman's intimate knowledge and the spiritual relationship shared by horses and humans.