Horse Illustrated – Julie Goodnight Q & A
Cheating the Circle During Round Pen Work; Following the Herd Hierarchy at Feed Time Q: How can I get my horse to longe or round pen in a complete circle? He keeps cutting in to the middle and making his circles too small. –Amber Verbena A: This is a common occurrence in the round pen and your horse may show the same “cutting corners” behavior when you’re riding. Your … [Read more...]
Feeding Frenzy
Dear Julie, I have just taken in two mares, ages 27 and 20. Both were well trained as performance horses in their youth, but have recently been neglected and poorly fed (pastured on 140 acres and left to fend for themselves). The older mare is smaller, but is the alpha. She’s very skinny right now. At feeding time she becomes aggressive toward the younger mare—charging around … [Read more...]
Slowing Down A Fast Horse
Slowing Down Fast Horse Tips Question: Hello Just wondering if you could give me some advice. My horse, a six year old mustang had been trained for about ten months. He stops, turns fine, but I cannot get him to slow down. Of course then I get nervous and then he gets nervous and we end up a mess, any advice? I would love to work it out with him, but cannot figure him … [Read more...]
Teach Your Horse To Slow Down
Riding Right with Julie Goodnight Speed Demon: Teach your horse to slow down on command Dear Julie, My 12-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse is always in a hurry—even to get around the arena! I’m always pulling back on her mouth to slow her down, but she speeds up again right away. We’re in a constant battle. My friend suggested I use a stronger bit, but I hate the thought … [Read more...]
Overcoming Fear: How To Be In Control And Feel Safe
Question: Hi Julie, I am a beginning rider, and have been taking lessons twice a week for about three months now. I have wanted to learn to ride since I was a little girl so this is a dream come true for me (I am 37 now). Initially I was very nervous approaching the horses, but more frequent visits have helped. I'm no longer afraid to get on the horse, but after we've … [Read more...]
Issues From The Saddle: Jigging Horse Sensitive To The Leg
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: I have been given a 12 year old gelding that I am very much attached to and enjoy riding. The problem is that he has had some past abuse issues and under saddle he is a nervous wreck. On a trail ride, he will mainly jig the whole ride, like he wants to run. However, he is not a 'hot' horse by nature. It seems he has been … [Read more...]
Issues From The Ground: Overwhelming Your Horse
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: I was hoping that I could pick your brain on something… I've been thinking a lot about this problem, since I didn't find that our instructor found the right thing to do… I have a friend who's working on her [Parelli] Level 2. Her horse is a 16-year-old QH gelding, former roping horse. He still has some trust issues … [Read more...]
Building A Better Relationship: Pawing
Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: Hi Julie, Awesome newsletter as always, my name is Tina and I have a question about pawing. I am a new horse person I have had my Arabian/ QH gelding for 1yr now he is 6 yrs old and when I got him he was perfect in every way except he was very head strong. I have been taking lessons with a trainer so I can be … [Read more...]
Talk About Tack: Understanding Bits– Tom Thumb
Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Ms Goodnight: We always come and see your seminars at Equine affair in Ohio. Last year I really enjoyed your discussion about balance and position I took good notes which I still refer to I know this is an old question but I am a novice rider I purchased a new horse I got him through a friend because the horse has been let go … [Read more...]
Horse Behavior: Territorial, Hormonal Mare
Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Dear Julie, I am a first time horse owner with a 4-year-old paint mare. The woman I bought her from is training her and I can ride her but she is constantly testing me and backs up when she doesn't want to do something. That has improved as I ride her more (I am also inexperienced) but her worse behavior is around her … [Read more...]
Horse Behavior: Aggression At Feeding Time
Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Hi Julie, First a "thank you" for all the help you have been to me in working on becoming a "natural Horseman". My question is one regarding aggression at the feed bucket. I have just taken into foster care two mares, age 27 and 20. Both have been well trained as performance horses, but have recently been neglected and poorly … [Read more...]
