Question: Dear Julie: I have a 13 year old daughter who has been in 4H since she was eight years old. She has become a great rider and is interested in learning how to become a professional rider of reining, cutting...or any western type horses in shows. What kind of advise would you give her as far as working towards that goal? She dreams of making it into the NRHA Reiner … [Read more...]
Am I Too Heavy For My Horse?
Question: Dear Julie: I bet you have never had this question. Last week we bought a really great black & white 51 inch 4 year old pony. He was gelded 5 weeks ago so we are waiting (but doing lots of ground work and round pen work) with him before he is ridden. He is broke to drive and ride. My question is this: what would the top weight be for a person to ride him? We … [Read more...]
Advice For Getting Into Training
Question: I'm a high school student who would like to pursue a career in the equine field, particularly riding instruction. What would things could you suggest that would help me be better prepared for that field? Answer: I admire your goals and your efforts to attain them. Here are a few things I would suggest. The first would be to get a college education. A degree … [Read more...]
Talk About Tack: Fitting Curb Chains To Curb Bits
Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: How do you fit curb chains to horses for curb bits and kimberwicke bits? How do you properly test the pressure of the curb chain? Answer: There is information on this very subject in CHA's Composite Horsemanship Manual, level 1, page 14. A curb chain or curb strap should be adjusted so that there is two finger's width (fingers … [Read more...]
Gravity: The Draw Of Horses After An Accident
Horses have their own gravity. If you've loved them in the past and been pushed away because of an injury or accident, it's possible you'll be drawn right back to their beautiful, sleek, powerful sides. Gravity pulls you back even if your worries or fears make you wonder why, even when our biological responses to fear tell us not to go back to a dangerous situation. Here's a … [Read more...]
Keeping Your Horse Healthy Through The Stages Of Life Part 3: The Senior Citizens
In our small town in Central Colorado, the schools are small and organized—with different wings for different ages of students. The elementary, middle and high schools are all separate but nearby. In the past two installments of this series, I’ve written about how the elementary and middle schools remind me of the wings in my barn reserved for the young horses and for my … [Read more...]
Keeping Your Horse Healthy Through The Stages Of Life Part 2: The Prime Time Horses
Note: In this three-part series, nationally respected horse trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight talks about the three “wings” in her barn (the elementary, middle and high school wings) and discusses what’s important to the age groups and how to keep the horses there in top shape with age-appropriate training and nutrition. If you missed part one, catch up online at … [Read more...]
Horses Are A Journey
… not a destination. That was the title of a keynote speech I gave at CHA’s International Conference recently, in Lake City FL. CHA’s annual conference always has a ton of hands-on horse activities and they were held this year at The Oaks Equestrian Center, a David O’Connor signature facility. A lovely place and the conference had many great speakers and trainers. Although open … [Read more...]
The World Equestrian Games
You know you’ve been gone from home too long when your own dogs growl at you and you can’t even find the silverware drawer in your own kitchen. That’s what my homecoming was like after nearly three weeks in Lexington KY, site of the WEG. After 16 straight days of doing two and sometimes three presentations a day to a crowd as diverse as the different competitions at this … [Read more...]
Clinics
Greetings! Last week, I had a CHA Instructor Certification clinic at Central Wyoming College in Riverton. It was a very easy clinic with qualified and enthusiastic participants, all of whom received a certification at a level they were happy with. I’ve done a lot of CHA clinics over the years—back when I was the Program Director, I did as many as seven one year! But … [Read more...]
A Helmet on Your Head
I had a strange and thought-provoking moment as I was getting ready for one of my demos at a horse expo last weekend. Kindly, someone brought me a horse to ride because I was doing a demo on collection and lateral work. The horse I had ridden in other presentations throughout the weekend did not have enough training for the high-level skills. I went out to the warm-up arena … [Read more...]
A Horse With A Human Problem
Good Day! It’s great to be home again, even if only for a day. By the time I have unpacked, it’s time to start repacking again. But I am excited to be headed to Lexington KY tomorrow for the CHA International Conference at the Kentucky Horse Park. It’s such a fun place to visit and Lexington is such incredible horse country. Fortunately I will not need a rental car there … [Read more...]
