At the end of the 19th Century, Alessandro and Pietro live in a small village in the Apennine Mountains. The two brothers are very different but very close, especially after the death of their mother who gives them a final gift: Sauro and Baio, two marvellous horses who are not yet broken. On reaching maturity, Alessandro feels a growing urge to cross the mountains and travel far, while Pietro wants to become a farmer and live with Veronica, the girl he loves.