AB Equestrian Bristol

27/09/2025

I believe its so important to let horses take in their surroundings. It's natural to try to pull them away from something they might react negatively to, but every time I've allowed the horse I'm riding to assess, evaluate and then move on, we've had a much calmer ride than if I try to dictate everything they are feeling

The 13 Second Rule - Learn It

When a horse startles, their orienting reflex kicks in - they shoot up to 18hh, lock onto the source, and you swear you can feel their heart pounding through your saddle. Then comes the investigatory reflex - ears, eyes, nostrils all screaming: “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!”

Here’s the important risk management bit: horses are actually brilliant at working out if something’s a real threat. What usually screws it up is us. Riders grab, yank, panic, and - congratulations - you’ve just turned a startle into a full-blown rodeo or bolting freak out. That is because your response made the startled horse feel 10000% more threatened.

Dr Andrew McLean showed that if we stay calm, a horse’s heart rate can start lowering in about 13 seconds. That’s it. Thirteen measly seconds. So breathe and start counting, wait for the ear flick or head shift, and only then step in.

Because your calm buys recovery. Your panic buys chaos.

This is Collectable Advice 31/365 – Save it or Share it (no copying and pasting).

IMAGE📸: Incredible image captured by the amazing Lynn Jenkin.

27/09/2025

We were able to incorporate 5 minutes of trotting a day back into Sunny's workload from yesterday (he had his hocks injected again), and oh my goodness, what a beautiful boy 😭

It's so nice to feel the difference, not only in the way he carries himself but in the length/freedom of his strides. Sunny is such an honest horse and even on his worst days, he'll do what he can to please so it's down to us to ensure he's adequately warmed up/cooled down, we're consistent with his stretches and we know what comfortable looks like

He had a real spring in his step yesterday, and he deserves to feel as good as he leaves us feeling ❤️

26/09/2025

😂😂

😂😂 Simple creatures, as long as they're being fed!

26/09/2025

Imagine going about your day but not being able to talk. How would you communicate your wants, needs, successes, pain…? 🤐

Your only way of communicating is really through your actions.
But you can only communicate with trusted people, if you make a misjudgment and choose the wrong person you will be [at best] ignored.

Horses can only communicate in this way; through their actions, expressions and behaviours. If they have no trusted people (ie. no one that listens OR someone who misinterprets), their actions will get louder and louder.

There are then 3️⃣ paths;
💛 You realise and you listen to your horse, responding as needed.
🖤 Your horses communication efforts are ignored, they get more in dramatic with their actions & behaviour, becoming difficult and dangerous. Pain memory territory.
💔 Your horses communication efforts are not only ignored, but negatively reinforced in ways that mean your horse must get on with it. So they shut down and learn to not communicate.

Listen to each and every communication your horse makes with you, open up for a two way conversation. Imagine the relief you would feel to have someone that would listen to you?

Pain and dysfunction can manifest in so many forms;
🔸 Twisting to the right? Poll tension, jaw pain, dental problems, tack fit, compensation patterns…
🔸 Fine on right rein but struggling left combined with sensitive right flank? Hindgut/digestive issues…
🔸 Fidgety to saddle? Ulcers, preempting discomfort when ridden, poor saddle fit (yes, even if you’ve just had it checked), incorrect girth design
🔸 Unhappy in the field/stable? Freedom, friends, forage - are these needs being met?
🔸 Stiffness? Pain, lack of movement (no, not always ridden)

Just because they can’t vocally say “my pain/struggle/discomfort is HERE”, doesn’t mean it’s not there.

I’m constantly working to refine my understanding of his communication, and also dissolving other opinions along the way that are not helpful.

If you have ever for even a moment put a ❓over something about your horse, listen… zoom in… see what makes it better, what makes it worse… & if you’re not sure, ask a trusted professional 🤍

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25/09/2025

I still havent got my camera fixed cos I'm a master of procrastination when it comes to stuff like that. So I've been taking video for owners to keep them updated and I think these snaps might be better than usual anyway tbh 😂

🐴 Lots of holiday care (stabled, living out, full and part livery)
🐴 Sole charge cover for livery yards
🐴 Lunging

I've been super busy and I have another fully booked few weeks coming up but I still have availability in late October/early November for:

- Holiday care
- Ad hoc yard cover
- Exercise
- Clipping

Just drop me a message & my price list is pinned!🩵

14/09/2025

Frustratingly my phone camera has broken so I have limited photos from my crazy busy week

🐴 Several lots of holiday care booked in for new and returning clients - living out, stabled, two days to three weeks, personal and yard cover

One of the horse's I'm currently looking after is called Dudley, he's well in his twenties and I first met Dudley about seventeen years ago when I was a horse obsessed little girl helping out at my first ever yard. Funny how things come back around - his owner used to let me pamper one of her other horses called Cassie who I still think about often 🥹

🐴 Clipping - two fulls clips, two lots of feathered legs and a tidy up on beards and legs in the last couple weeks. Seriously need some overalls

🐴 Regular yard cover

🐴 Hacking

🐴 I also got my hair done so enjoy a photo of me looking somewhat feminine and enjoying the sun whilst it made a brief appearance yesterday 🤣

31/08/2025

We took Sunny to Badminton!

He was such a good boy. We encountered a massive herd of deer, hail stones, his ear bonnet coming off and spooking him .. he was so tense at one point but he stuck with me, listened to my voice and regulated himself so well

Very proud of him 💙

30/08/2025

What a wet couple of days it's been. When it's windy and raining I find myself worrying about getting to the horse's sooner in case they're stressing and every time they couldn't care less 😂

🐴 Schooling/Grid work
🐴 Cuddles with Mica whilst hiding from the rain
🐴 Holiday Care
🐴 Yard Cover

Bram looking super pretty in pink on a miserable day 🩷

28/08/2025

🐴 Holiday Care
🐴 Poo picking
🐴 Clipping
🐴 Hacking
🐴 Yard Cover
🐴 AM Livery

Got caught in the rain yesterday, luckily I had waterproofs in the car and I gotta say, it was pretty nice after all the heat we've had 😂

22/08/2025

Decided to treat myself to a new pair of riding boots for the first time in over a decade

Time to break them in by wearing them for riding and probably yard duties as well 😂

21/08/2025

What a handsome boy he is 🥹😍

He's also a magician apparently, who makes fly masks dissappear 😂

17/08/2025

What a beautiful week it's been ☀️

🐴 Holiday Care
🐴 Regular Livery
🐴 Yard Cover
🐴 Hacking
🐴 Lunging

Life has felt really manic for as long as I can remember, but this week I've had the opportunity to slow down

I spent the longest time grooming Sunny, and just being present which is something I struggle with anyway. Let alone when everything feels 100mph, and we connected in a way we hadn't before which almost made me cry lmao. I kept having to force myself to slow down when I was brushing him because it's just so natural to rush 😂

I imagine a lot of people feel the same way, especially equestrians. My advice to you, spend a little longer with your horse today. Be in the moment with them and they'll usually meet you there 🩵

I still have limited availability for exercise or holiday care so please drop me a message if that's something you need!

Otherwise, I have availability in October/November for anything else 😁