Proactive Riding—Take the Driver’s Seat
Many of the questions I get start with a sentiment like this: “My horse used to do this well, but now he won’t,” or, “My horse was really responsive when I first got him, and
Resources for Seat Legs & Hands Resources
Get a Handle on Your Reins
Tack and equipment play an important role in riding and training horses. Knowing the options and making the right choices can make a huge difference in your riding. The four natural aids of the rider
Horsemanship Homework
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. Despite our best efforts, there are times when life-events will supplant your horsemanship activities. Putting in too many hours at work, an illness in the family, a new job,
Stop With Your Seat
Use your voice and seat as stopping cues to help your horse understand that you want to slow down. This will give him the chance to stop willingly, so you won’t have to apply rein
Horseback Riding Basics: Position
Photo by: Melissa Arnold Become a more effective rider by perfecting a proper horseback-riding position. Correct body position is as basic as it gets. Without it, you and your horse can’t balance properly, and you
Look, Breathe, Sit Back To Boost Riding Confidence
Three steps to overcoming riding nervousness–plus, a way to remember them when it matters most. Fear can make you tense and defensive. That, in turn, can cause you to be rough with your horse. It’s
Riding Skills: Making Smooth Gait Transitions
Clinician Julie Goodnight tells you how to use pre-signals and breathing techniques to improve your horse’s transitions between gaits. Are your horse’s transitions between gaits as smooth as glass? Or do you hold your breath
How To Stay Comfortable In The Saddle
Question: Julie, I have a question about how to be more comfortable during my long rides. What causes my knees to hurt after about an hour riding at a walk? What can I do to
Riding Skills: Understanding Your Leg Aids
The “natural aids” are the tools that you were born with that allow you to communicate to the horse what you want him to do while you are riding. Traditionally, there are four natural aids,
Balanced Riding Position
Ask Julie Goodnight: Question: How should my upper body be as I ride? Answer: Much focus is given to the rider’s seat and leg position, as it should be, for these are critical areas that
Proper Position In The Saddle
Proper position unites the balance of horse and rider, giving the picture of a team moving as one. If I were to guess at the single most common equitation error I see, what immediately springs
Gears Of The Seat
Gears of the Seat Question: Hi Julie, I got to watch one of your clinics at your horse expo last weekend about using your natural aids and how your pelvis has 3 gears: forward, neutral
Ride By The Seat Of Your Pants
Dear Julie, I have been riding and taking lessons for two years. I am steadily progressing but sometimes it seems like the further I get, the less I know! I was originally taught to squeeze
Riding Right with Julie Goodnight: Know Your Rein Aids
Dear Julie, I’m a bit confused about rein aids—how they differ in English and Western riding. I’ve been hearing terms like direct and direct opposition, indirect and indirect opposition. What do these terms mean and
Riding Skills: Using Your Upper Body Properly
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: How should my upper body be as I ride? Answer: Much focus is given to the rider’s seat and leg position, as it should be, for these are critical areas
Riding Skills: Training Advanced Maneuvers For Cowhorse
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Hello, I have a 5 year old Paint. I’ve kept everything easy, slow and clear. He has turned out to be a great cow working horse. Now how do I
Riding Skills: Time Length & Help To Open Pelvis
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Hello Julie, I really enjoy your lectures you are so much easier to listen to than many of the other presenters! I was wondering about the appropriate length of time
Riding Skills: Sitting Trot
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: I ride an Arabian who has a very bouncy trot that I just can’t sit to. I ride in an event saddle that has a somewhat deep seat, but when
Riding Skills: Improving Rider Position Using Gravity
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: What’s the best way to improve my riding position? Answer: We have talked in previous articles about the importance of a balanced position with ear-shoulder-hip-heel alignment and open and relaxed
Riding Skills: How Do I Get A Secure Seat To Ride Out Spooks?
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Dear Julie, Last night I watched your TV show on introducing the horse to the surf. It was very informative but the thing that impressed me the most was how
Riding Skills: How Do I Find My Seat?
Question: Dear Julie, First I wanted to let you know that I truly enjoy your website and reading your training library section. I have picked-up many good points which I have been able to put
Riding Skills: Gears Of The Seat
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Hi Julie, I got to watch one of your clinics at the Midwest Horse Fair last weekend. (I had a booth there in the exhibit hall and so I only
Riding Skills: Creative Images For Using The Aids
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: How can I remember how to use natural aids properly? Do you have images you use to help students remember the correct positions, etc.? Answer: From the very first time
Riding Skills: Connecting And Coordinating The Natural Aids
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: How do you teach riders to use all the natural aids together–leg and rein aids? Answer: The natural aids are the best tools the rider has to communicate with the
Save Your Horse’s Mouth, Stop With Your Seat
Save Your Horse’s Mouth, Stop with Your Seat You probably learned to “kick to go” and “pull to whoa” from the very start of your riding career. While this simplistic view of communicating with your
Pronation And Riding Position For A Pain-Free Ride
Disjointed Riders Do you suffer from leg, knee and ankle pain or numbness while riding? As you ride, your legs are spread in an unnatural position, causing pressure on your ankle, knee and hip joints.