Equestrian Services Transport, Tack, Lessons Suffolk Essex

Welcome to Common Sense Equestrian where we offer Riding lessons, Bit & Bridle Fitting, Safe and Sound Equestrian Transport Services and straightforward, practical advice and a voice of reason to the confused and overwhelmed horse owner.

Do you sometimes just want;

a straightforward answer to a simple question?
to do what you feel is best for your horse without feeling judged?
to be able to ask about the most basic things without being made to feel ignorant?
to know what really works (and what doesn’t!) from someone who isn’t being paid to endorse it?
to know why to use a product or how to fit it but embarrassed to ask?
to understand your horse better and make their life more comfortable?
to understand which bridle is best for your horse, based on both the needs of the rider and the horse?
to find safe, sound, reliable and trustworthy horse transport for shows, vet visits, moving yards, for mares and foals or even loading practice with experienced help and advice?
to improve your riding skills, confidence and balance so that both you and your horse can enjoy a more harmonious relationship?

View our Services

Well, here at Common Sense Equestrian,
you will find;

Real and relevant information solely aimed for the benefit of you and your horse.
Articles of interest for those wanting to provide a healthier environment for their horse.
Quality and practical items for sale, that will do the job intended for properly and saving you the hassle of costly mistakes.
Honest and unbiased reviews of these items and also of those we found not up to the job!
Any advice given here is done so in the best interest of you and your horse. However, what works for one person/horse does not necessarily work for another, as all situations are different, and I cannot be held responsible for any problems that arise from following advice given to others.
What I would like owners to do is to strip back all the conflicting advice, go back to basics and allow themselves and their horses a chance. I expect not to please some people in what I will recommend but this website is about helping horses and their genuine, caring owners.

Read our Testimonials - Click each heading to read full review

Equestrian Services Bit Bridle Fitting, Horse Transport, Rider Training in Suffolk and Essex

Abi has boosted my confidence, I am a rider now and not just a passenger....

I have been having riding lessons with Abi for several months now and I have seen a huge difference in the behaviour of my horse. He is much more compliant and has had a change in attitude from being quite opinionated and not liking work to being much more forward going and willing. Abi in her brilliant, quiet and calm manner has bought this about and now knows what makes him tick! She has boosted my confidence which was at rock bottom and I feel I am more of a rider now and not just a passenger. Bryony Anscomb

Abi is extremely knowledgeable and always happy to give advice....

I've known Abi for about 10 years and she's always been such a help for me and my horse. I've had Abi for many lessons over the years and she's also ridden for me if I haven't been able to or if there's something I've felt uncomfortable with. She takes into account both the rider and horse and what both are comfortable with doing. I've also used Abi for transport to long distance rides, shows and vet trips - she's always a very calming influence ?? Abi is extremely knowledgeable and always happy to give advice. I thoroughly recommend Abi. Clare Collins

It is more than just a job to Abi, she really cares for your horse’s welfare...

I have known Abi for several years now, starting with us needing transport to a horse riding show and then needing to use quite a few of her services including clipping, teaching, feeding and tack advice. Abi has helped with my daughter’s riding confidence and helping me (a nervous and novice mum) with many issues. When Abi has taken us to shows, she helped my daughter warm up, walk the course, and with any other problems we may have had on the day. It is more than just a job to Abi, she really cares for your horse’s welfare and helps your child to ride to the best of their ability. She is very calm and has a very gentle approach which makes the horse and rider feel at ease. Samantha Ablett

I wouldn’t be where I am now without you !!...

I met Abi after buying Carlos, a 6 year old Warmblood who has a big heart but a bigger spirit, which I was struggling to harness in the right way. Some may feel I was over horsed, given my fear and experience, but I fell in love with him and was totally committed to our life together. I reached out and asked for help, I wasn’t too proud to admit i was in over my head and Carlos and I started to clash when I was asking him to work for me. It is an understatement to say he was explosive on the lunge, cheeky on the ground and wouldn’t stand for me to mount safely. I was finding him more and more unpredictable, and my confidence was taking a knock. Abi came out to me and assessed us working together, and we clicked instantly. She made me feel so at ease, and although I was clearly out of my depth she didn’t judge me. Her quiet but firm guidance put us back on the right track, and we began with groundwork and respect, exercises and tasks we had to do daily were put in place with Abi coming each week to see how we got on. That was 1months ago..... I have grown so much as a horse owner, and a person since meeting Abi. She has taught me to be calm, patient and consistent with Carlos. She has encouraged me to dig deeper inside my soul and trust myself, and in turn I have earned the trust of my horse. I wouldn’t be where I am now without Abi, on this incredible journey with a horse I adore. I cannot recommend her advice, coaching and lessons enough. The experience and expertise that Abi has, shows in everything she does, and she is totally committed to doing what’s best for the horse, even if that means the owner needs to learn and put the work in. That’s what I love about our time together, she is making me a better person, a better horsewoman, in addition to setting Carlos the boundaries he needs to feel safe and trust his humans. Thank you so much Abi, I wouldn’t be where I am now without you !! Donna Mather

Abi has been literally a life saver to my horse...

Abi has been literally a life saver to my horse, she retrained him to load and travel in her horse box after he had an accident in a trailer. When he needed to go to the vet 3 times she handled him with patience good humour understanding and professionalism. Thank you Abi. Diana Fussell

Abi is always kind and patient.....

‘I first met Abi when she came to my rescue with an emergency transport to the vets with my mare. I could see straight away that Abi was kind and patient and she most certainly kept both myself and my mare calm. Since then I have been having regular lessons with Abi where she remains kind and patient with us both! Abi is very supportive and is always happy to answer any questions I have about any aspect of riding or the best equipment to suit my mare. During lessons Abi focuses on both my mare and myself as individuals as well as how to ensure we operate effectively as a pair. I can honestly say I have learnt more about my riding in the time Abi has been teaching me than in the previous 28 years of riding!’ Alison Wood

I trust Abi 100% with my horse...

I have known Abi now for around 6 years as she was my instructor when I first got my horse. With weekly lessons, my unschooled Newforest pony became supple and working well! We did encounter issues such as napping at competitions, and when I was not confident enough, Abi would ride her for me and work through these issues. Unfortunately ongoing lameness meant our lessons ceased but I found myself turning to Abi again for transport for various vets trips! I can genuinely say I trust Abi 100% with my horse and know that she is in the safest hands! She literally treats your horses as if she would her own. Abi has also done many clips for me, and they are to the highest standard, again I would not use anybody else. Basically Abi has become my ‘go to’ person for anything horse related, I trust her entirely and respect her opinions, she also has an incredible way of always putting a logical view forwards rather than emotional. Rachel Chilvers

I cannot recommend Abi highly enough!...

Common Sense Equestrian….. is exactly that, I cannot recommend Abi highly enough! Abi is extremely knowledgeable in so many areas of anything horsey related, doesn’t let you waste your money on unnecessary items, she is encouraging and supportive when your having a wobble, I seem to have more than most! Quite frankly my pony & I would be lost without her! Karren & Dela

Equestrian Services Bit Bridle Fitting, Horse Transport, Rider Training in Suffolk and Essex

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About Abi Sinclair

Abi Sinclair has been around horses since the age of 6. After leaving school in 1985, Abi completed the BHS Horsecare and Riding stages 1, 2 and 3. She then gained her experience of backing youngsters and training horses for competition by worked on several competition yards.
After a move to more classical riding and eventing Abi became a freelance professional rider, groom and instructor, which led to her British Eventing Career.

Over the past 25 years Abi has worked with, backed, trained and reschooled hundreds of different horses and ponies of many breeds and types, ages, shapes and sizes. Each one has taught her something new. With a great sense of feel and eye for detail she has helped numerous horse and rider combinations improve their confidence and ability. She continues to teach all ages and abilities of riders from beginners to competitors although young horses and problem solving remain a favourite challenge.