Rebecca learnt the correct way to start young horses whilst working in a specialist yard near Lambourn. At the yard only unbroken horses and ponies were taken for livery, in order to prepare them for ridden work in differnet spheres but mostly for the racing industry both for the flat discipline and also for National Hunt. Animals ranged from yearlings to 4 year olds. The whole process usually took about four weeks. Rebecca served her apprenticeship by learning how to lunge with two reins, walking for hours every day long reining, and backing and finally teaching the youngsters to canter upsides with older wiser horses.

This gounding has proved valuable in the ways Rebecca now starts her own and clients' horses, although there have been changes to accomodate non-thoroughbreds temperaments and clients' varied requirements for their horses.

The whole process is done without confrontation wherever possible - although some animals have come to us all teeth and heels and need a firm hand in the early days! It usually takes about one month to six weeks and the job is done in progressive stages, without cutting corners at any time, as this always leads to problems in the future.

If each stage is carried out thoughtfully and calmly, introducing rider to horse need not be a traumatic experience for the animal but merely a small increase in the horse's comfort zone. Each new idea needs to be thoroughly learnt by the horse before moving on to the next stage.

Rebecca backed or re-backed all the horses at Millhorn (except Hamish!) and has started serveral for clients in the area over the last 8 years, both natives and blood horses. References can be given if requested.