January 2022 Horse Report
One thing I love about horse sports is that no matter what you achieved last year, there’s always more you can do the next year. No sooner do you accomplish
Saddle Fit Do-Over
Assessing your tack—in terms of its condition, fit to the horse, and appropriateness for the horse’s discipline and level of training—should be ongoing, but doing a thorough assessment should happen
December 2021 Horse Report
I have to say I was happy to get back into a more normal work schedule this fall—starting with my first few trips to events by airplane since March of
Are You & Your Horse Ready for Winter?
Even though our winter out here in the mountains has been disturbingly warm and dry this year, I know that eventually the cold and snow will descend upon us. Neither
November 2021 Horse Report
Watercolor of Dodger & Lucy We’ve had some transitions around our barn in the last month. Recently, we said a final farewell to our old friend, Roger Dodger—possibly the best
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
October 2021 Horse Report
My horses enjoyed a well-deserved training break over the past month. Slowly, my life is creeping back to normal and I’m spending more time traveling. I’m so grateful to be
Managing Fearful Behavior in Horses
My young horse, Pepperoni, was just a tender 2-year-old with about 30 days undersaddle when I first ventured outside the arena with him. On that day, my number one goal
September 2021 Horse Report
Here in the Colorado Rockies, fall comes early, but we have been blessed with exceptionally warm days and normally cool nights, with about a 50-degree difference from the low to
Helping Horses, One Foster at a Time
I’m pretty sure no one loves horses more than I do, but I know a lot of you who love them just as much. We’ve cultivated a small herd of
August 2021 Horse Report
As the days shorten, I’ve been frantically trying to squeeze in all the activities I wanted to do this summer. The older I get, the shorter the summers are, and
The Secret Ingredient: Managing the Herd-Bound Horse
At my ranch, we have seven geldings and one mare. When we brought my new foster mare, Truth, in for training the two mares were instantly drawn to each other
July 2021 Horse Report
I’ll admit, it’s been a bit of a lazy summer for me, and I’ve had lots of time to enjoy my horses in a more casual way. With no clinics,
“Rearing” to Go!
One of the most memorable episodes of Horse Master for me involved a lovely warmblood mare who developed a rearing problem after a successful run as a show jumper. The
June 2021 Horse Report
Seems like just yesterday I was complaining about winter lasting too long, and now we are enduring a record-breaking heat wave! But ours is a dry heat, and with a
Does My Horse Like Me?
Recently I had a question from one of my podcast listeners, Benjamin. He asked: “Many blogs, books and online training resources talk about helping you develop the relationship you always
May 2021 Horse Report
After a cold spring, our horses are finally able to graze green grass (and Annie’s svelte figure is soon to be replaced by the Michelin Man look). With Annie and
Back From the Brink: Managing Emotional Meltdowns in Horses
No doubt about it—horses are emotional animals; perhaps more emotional than humans. As prey and herd animals, horses are programmed to adopt the emotions of the animals around them (herd
Cultivating a Connection with Horses
Duke was a well-trained gelding, successful in the show ring as a youngster, then ridden extensively in the rugged mountains of Colorado. He was a handsome hunk of muscle, very
March 2021 Horse Report
March has been a snowy month for us, but we are grateful for the moisture that will ease us out of drought conditions and help green up our pastures. It
April 2021 Horse Report
Dear Friends, The horses are starting to shed and the outdoor arena has thawed enough to ride in—surely spring is around the corner! The horses are feeling frisky, and adventurous
Secret Powers are Within You!
It should go without saying that training and riding a thousand-pound flight animal is complicated—it’s the only sport I know of that involves inter-species teamwork. Riding is a partnership of
February 2021 Horse Report
Here in the high mountains of Colorado, we’re still in our deepest part of winter, with sub-zero temperatures and blowing snow. It’s the time of year when we go into
Canter Hacks | Part 2: Canter Hacks for Advanced Horses & Riders
Sorry! If you got here from my March, 10 2021 newsletter, it took you to this post by mistake! Click here to continue reading my March 2021 blog post called,
February 2021 Letter from Julie
Sorry! If you got here from my March, 10 2021 newsletter, it took you to this post by mistake! Click here to continue reading the March 2021 Letter from Julie
January 2021 Horse Report
Winter is long and hard, here in the high mountains of Colorado and although the days are getting longer now, subzero temperatures, wind and ice, make riding outdoors a challenge.
January 2021 Letter from Julie
Dear friends, Rich and I spent the holidays alone and together. For Christmas, we enjoyed a few unseasonably warm days at the lake, boating, in almost complete and utter solitude.
Canter Hacks | Part 1 of 2
Five Canter Hacks for Green Horses and Green Riders The natural gaits of the horse are walk, trot and gallop. The canter is a slow, collected gallop, developed over time,
December 2020 Horse Report
Here in the Colorado mountains, we love snow! The more, the better. And it looks like a white Christmas is in the forecast. Our valley is the headwaters of the
December 2020 Letter from Julie
Dear friends, I admit I’m happy this year is coming to a close. It’s been a tough one for most of us, and for some of us, it’s been downright
The Making of a Trail Horse, Part 4 (and Other Duties, as Assigned)
I remember my father’s last and best trail horse, Scout. He was a big, bold, grade quarter horse, afraid of nothing, with a motor like a freight train. Aboard Scout,
November 2020 Horse Report
It was a fitting end to my travel-year, when my last remaining clinic was cancelled, not due to the pandemic, but because of raging wild fires in northern Colorado. This
November 2020 Letter from Julie
Dear friends, As this bizarre year comes ever so slowly to a close, there is so much to reflect on. It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives and
October 2020 Horse Report
After five months with no horse expos, no clinics and no traveling, in the last four weeks I’ve traveled to three clinics. It’s good to be back, and we had
The Making of a Trail Horse, Part 2
Manners and Skills There are many ingredients that go into the making of an exceptional trail horse and just like in the kitchen, quality ingredients can make the difference in
October 2020 Letter From Julie
Dear Friends, At my ranch, here in the “Heart of the Rockies,” fall came fast and furious with 14” of snow on the ground just two days after record heat
September 2020 Horse Report
Summer came to a screeching halt around our ranch, just two days after record heat on Labor Day, when we were hammered with well over a foot of snow and
The Making of a Trail Horse
My youngest horse, Pepperoni, just successfully completed his first high mountain ride in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area, a steep mountain range in southern Colorado. It was an arduous
September 2020 Letter from Julie
Dear Friends, This fall brings a transition like no other. Normally, I take a break from business travel in the summer and ease back into full swing, traveling to horse
How To: Blanket Washing
Julie demonstrates how to safely and effectively clean dirty horse blankets.
Calm Your Horse During a Ride
Has your horse ever been anxious or amped up during a ride, and you just need to help him calm down a bit? Whether you’re on the trail or waiting
Riding Bridleless with a Neck Rope
Do you want to learn to ride your horse without a bridle? To me, the ultimate sign of true unity, trust and respect between a horse and the rider is
Myler Curb Bit: Assembling a Bit with a Curb Strap on a Western Headstall
Want more videos from Julie Goodnight and Horse Master? Please visit the entire video and article library at http://tv.juliegoodnight.com –watch full horse training videos there and check out the interactive
Myler 3-Ring Combination Bit: Adjusting Your New Bit with a Western Headstall
Want more videos from Julie Goodnight and Horse Master? Please visit the entire video and article library at http://tv.juliegoodnight.com –watch full horse training videos there and check out the interactive
