AB Equestrian Bristol

05/09/2026

It's been a while since I introduced myself and since I have some new followers, I thought it would be good to do a little about me 👋

My name is Abbie. I'm 30 years old and have been obsessed with horses since as young as I can remember! My family aren't horsey but they tried their best to accommodate my passion, so my most played with item was a toy stable and my riding attire for my first lesson included pink joggers, a cookie monster vest top, wellies and a borrowed hat with no silk 🤣

Horses have always drawn me in and regardless of how far I've strayed at some points in life, I've always found my way back to them. Soft noses and the smell of a barn is an addictive combo!

I have two beautiful loan horses called Sunny and Bella who I adore. Little me would be beside herself with joy!

✨ Sunny ✨

Gelding, 15.3hh ISH, 14 years old. I've loaned Sunny for three years and he is the light of my life ☀️

✨ Bella ✨

Mare, 16hh Irish Draught, 8 years old. I've loaned Bella for the last few months but I'd been working with her for about a year prior and she's my ride or die 🫶

I've been self employed for almost four years now and offer freelance equestrian services in the Bristol (based BS15) area. Services include;

🐴 Regular AM/PM livery
🐴 Holiday care
🐴 Clipping
🐴 Hacking/basic schooling/lunging/long lining
🐴 Ad hoc yard cover (mostly sole charge)
🐴 Honest advice on management, welfare and behavioural changes

Each horse is different, so each booking is different and I do my best to cater for all routines/specific needs and requirements

Qualifications include;

🐴 Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management
🐴 BA Hons Degree in Equine Studies

Fully insured with the British Grooms Association and years of hands on experience ✅

Horse are very good at communicating with us and as someone who works mostly alone, handling a huge range of different horses/ponies, it's been super important that I always do my best to listen to them. It keeps us all as safe as possible

Now that the days are getting shorter and the weather is changing, a calm extra hand to get the yard duties done, your horse exercised or a holiday covered can elevate the stress of winter

Please feel free to drop me a message with any enquiries!

02/09/2026

🌿 We Need to Stop Normalising Distress in Horses 🌿

I’ll be honest — I’m tired of being exposed to so many videos of horses bucking, rearing, riders falling off, being ridden in tight nosebands, eyes wide, mouths foaming, bodies tense, tied down with training aids and gadgets — all set to upbeat music for likes and follows. (And they do get so much attention.)

I know I might take a more alternative approach to training, but we have to stop treating these moments as entertainment or “just part of it.”

Of course, horses have their moments — a buck, a spook, or a squeak and a bronc after a few days off. That’s normal. But when these behaviours are repetitive, when the tension is obvious, when the horse looks uncomfortable time and time again — that’s not normal. That’s communication being ignored.

These are not quirks. They’re messages. They are actually screams at this point when we haven’t listened to the whispers — the slightly tight muscles, not wanting the bridle on today, struggling to pick out feet, ears back, withdrawn demeanour, lethargy.

We need to start recognising what softness truly looks like — a relaxed eye, a swinging back, a quiet mouth, a horse that seeks connection rather than tolerates pressure. Not every sign of discomfort is pain, but it could be confusion, environmental stress, or simple misunderstanding.

Progress in training isn’t flashy. It’s often quiet, slow, and imperfect. Quick fixes don’t exist, and that’s okay. It might look like everyone else online is doing “better,” but remember — social media isn’t always showing the whole picture.

✨ Stay patient. Stay curious. Keep listening. Because a horse that feels seen, safe, and understood will always give you more than one that feels forced. ✨

22/08/2026

SUCH an insightful video. Years within the industry and I've never heard a clearer breakdown of equine communication and how we as riders/handlers subconsciously influence our horses in either a positive or negative way

Horses mirror your energy. I always tell people that if I'm having a bad day, it's SO important for me to shake that off before engaging with the horses I work with because if I'm unsettled, they're unsettled

I didn't know about the impact of moving the head first and how that can leave a horse feeling unhappy, which is crazy given we're taught to lead a horse from its head, to pull on lead ropes and reins. A good instructor will emphasis the importance of using your seat, but I've never understood the biomechanics behind it

May or may not have just found my next rabbit hole to disappear into 😂

It's a long watch (my fidgety self had to do it in three parts) but so worth it

▶ Watch highlights from this talk → https://www.youtube.com/playlis...

20/08/2026

I haven't posted much recently as I've just been so busy. Multiple heat waves means lots of late finishes and early starts so my routine has been all over the place, but the horses are happy 😂

🐴 Lots of holiday care bookings for new and returning clients
🐴 Hacking
🐴 Ad hoc yard cover
🐴 Sole yard cover
🐴 Regular livery
🐴 Clipping

Limited availability during the first half of September

20/08/2026

Highly recommend!! Lots of experience handling a massive range of horses, great work ethic and reliable

Also a pro with problem loaders and backing youngsters 👌

18/07/2026

Some bits and bobs from the last couple of weeks

🐴 Took Sunny out in the trailer for our three year anniversary
🐴 Regular AM & PM Livery
🐴 Weekly sole yard cover
🐴 Poo picking
🐴 Hacking with friends and solo
🐴 Ad hoc yard cover
🐴 Lots of holiday care
🐴 Ragwort picking 🙃

22/06/2026

Anyone else confused by the weather? I got absolutely soaked earlier after fighting for my life in the heat all day. Did not expect to be squelching round M&S anytime soon 🤣

I've been super busy recently which is great and how I like it

From cats to horses to a tortoise called William, I've cared for them all the past week or so

🐴 Holiday care
🐴 Sole yard cover
🐴 Regular livery
🐴 Dog walking
🐴 Hacking
🐴 Groundwork
🐴 Meeting new clients

Pretty much booked up over the next couple months but could be available for ad-hoc exercise or shorter holiday care bookings

12/06/2026

Three years of loving you 🫶

Sometimes life has a way of making sure we find the things that are meant for us..

10/06/2026

Some bits and bobs from the last few weeks

🐴 Holiday care
🐴 Sole yard cover
🐴 Hacking & hand walking
🐴 Regular livery

Pretty much booked up for June, July and the start of August but could be available for clipping or ad hoc exercise

19/05/2026

What a busy few weeks it's been!

🐴 sole yard cover
🐴 multiple holiday care bookings
🐴 clipping
🐴 exercise
🐴 took Flynn to see Sunny again and he was just the most gentle boy (it always amazes me how such big animals seem so aware of tiny humans)
🐴 poo picking
🐴 meeting new clients
🐴 desensitization training
🐴 some shadowing for myself where I get to pick the brain of someone incredibly respected within the industry (can't wait to do more of this!)