It is a tradition in the Alps to let cattle, goats and horses roam free on the high pastures in summer. They live in freedom for 3 months or longer, without any shelter and exposed to the harsh elements and weather of the mountains. They have to search for their own food, drink water from sources and streams and navigate over rocky terrain. This challenging life gives the young horses the possibility to develop skills, instincts and social behaviour in the herd. The horses on the photo are Haflinger horses in South Tyrol, Italy.