Julie Goodnight | Julie Goodnight Academy

Resources for Julie Goodnight

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 Pepperoni both well set in

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 mentality) and react appropriately. It

Cultivating a Connection with Horses

Julie and her now retired cowhorse, Dually, take a moment to connect. Duke was a well-trained gelding, successful in the show ring as a youngster, then ridden extensively in the rugged mountains of Colorado. He

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 will be the end of

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 equestrians are planning new excursions.

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 two athletes—horse and human—each with

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 a holding pattern with our

Canter Hacks | Part 2: Canter Hacks for Advanced Horses & Riders

Last month, I wrote about some of the most common canter problems I see in less-experienced riders and green horses, gave some quick fixes, and shared a few horsemanship secrets. For this article, I’ll address

February 2021 Letter from Julie

Dear friends, Although the “new” has worn off this year now, as the days get longer and the nights warmer, I am beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. It’s starting

Remi and Momma Joy turned out in the arena.

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. Thankfully, our indoor arena has

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. As it turns out, ice

Julie cantering a warmblood in an arena.

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, through training. Rarely do you

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 Arkansas River; our snowmelt sends

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 devastating. But it’s heartening to

Julie's dad on his palomino trail horse, Scout.

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, my father climbed all over

Simple & Flying Lead Changes Clinic

Julie presented her pre-recorded video clinic with live narration of the clinic and riders at the 2020 Annual Certified Horsemanship Association International Virtual Conference. Watch to see Julie’s tips and valuable knowledge on how to

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 has certainly been a year

Mamma Joy and baby Remi at Julie's ranch.

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 dwell in the gloom and

View from behind horse's ears of treed hills and mountain range.

The Making of a Trail Horse, Part 3

Foundational Training Under-Saddle With solid ground-handling skills in place, half the battle of under-saddle training is behind you. As the young horse’s training progresses from ground manners to riding skills, there are certain philosophies that

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 fantastic events in Jackson Hole

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 an average dish or an

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 on Labor Day. It was

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 temps in the low 20s

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 test of his skills and

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 expos, clinics and conferences in

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 to go in the ring

How To: Turning Aids

How to turn your horse by cueing with your body instead of your reins. Get Julie Goodnight Training Videos HERE

How To: Blanket Washing

Julie demonstrates how to safely and effectively clean dirty horse blankets.

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 training help with monthly curriculum

Take A Peek Inside My Tack Room

Julie Goodnight shares a peek inside her tack room, to show you the winter grooming supplies she relies on. See how Julie uses Show Sheen, Miracle Groom, Bigeloil Leg Poultice Wraps and Magic Cushion. Goodnight

Daily Dose of Horsemanship Homework: Ground Manners #4: Head Lowering Cue

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 when you can remove the

Myler Curb Bit: Adjusting a Curb Bit with a Western Headstall

Winter Grooming Supplies for Horses

Sponsored post, W.F. Young Co. Take a peek inside Julie Goodnight’s tack room to see the grooming supplies she stores-up before winter and how she uses Show Sheen, Miracle Groom, Bigeloil Leg Poultice and Magic