Here at MC horses, Rory and Kerry McTavish offer quality horse training at Waikuku Beach, North Canterbury. They work from excellent, horse-friendly facilities that offer plenty of scope for the most important part of your horse's early education. Rory McTavish is an experienced horseman who works full-time starting horses under saddle and as a farrier and barefoot trimmer in North Canterbury, and also on film sets as a horse wrangler and stunt performer. Rory has learned his skills from top New Zealand horsemen, several trips to Canada and visiting international clinicians. He says: "I like to think I've learned something from everybody I've watched and every horse I've worked with". With support from his wife Kerry who grew up in the saddle on the family station in the Wakatipu district and worked for many years in their trekking business in Queenstown, together they have a huge base of experience. You can expect a calm, respectful horse to handle and ride. They will have a solid foundation of skills making them ready for you to effectively carry on their education in whatever discipline you choose. We have enjoyed working with horses with diverse future careers in areas such as showing, polo, endurance, hunting, dressage, jumping, racing, western riding and rodeo, or simply as good all-rounders. All horses are started in the 70 ft round pen, progress to the large, safe arena and then are further educated while riding out in the amazing riding areas to which we have direct access - over farmland, through the forest and down the beach - giving your horse the very best start to their time under saddle. Riding is done both in company and alone. We believe riding out alone is especially important because it gives the horse time to develop confidence and independence while experiencing the world guided by their increasing trust in the rider. We can assure you that your horse will only be handled and worked by Rory, or Kerry in the latter stages, and that we only work with a small number of horses at any one time to ensure that your horse receives the time and attention, and consistent and precise training needed at this vital stage of learning. You are welcome to visit your horse and view their progress during the process which usually takes around 4 weeks. Kerry enjoys photographing the horses whenever her schedule allows it and is happy to email these images through to you. Before you take them home, a very important part of the process is for you ride out with us to enjoy what your horse has learned so far. The smiles at the end of these rides are one of the best parts of our job! If needed, assistance will be given to help provide you with the skills needed to handle and ride a 'green' horse. Keep in mind that your newly started horse needs you to be a calm, confident and competent rider in order to reach their full potential. We offer: Starting under saddle/breaking in (including re-breaks) for all types of horses Residential horsemanship course - BYO horse Handling of youngsters Help with overcoming problems such as float loading, poor manners for the farrier, pulling back and undesirable behaviour under saddle Experienced farrier - both shoeing and barefoot trimming Every horse visited by an equine dentist Equine vet on call Horsemanship lessons Short-term and long-term assistance as required