Is your horse “jiggy” and tense on the trail? Does he trot anxiously in place, refusing to move forward slowly and calmly? If so, you’re likely tense and worried that he’ll take off if you
Simply put, ponying means to lead a horse alongside the horse you’re riding. On the trail, the task comes in handy when you’re training a new horse and helping him get used to obstacles and
Even if you haven’t had a big wreck with your horse, you’ve imagined what can happen out on the trail. You’ve felt your stomach tie in knots as you headed up a steep hill, passed
7-Step Program Here’s the proper trailer-loading and -unloading order for optimum safety and results. Step 1. Prepare the trailer. Hook up your trailer to your vehicle. Drive your trailer to a flat, open area. Securely
Water crossings are common on most every trail. Do you and your horse cross without worry, or do you ride along the shore hoping the water will dwindle to a drip? Does your horse move
A group of seven of my horse-loving friends decided to get together and ride each Wednesday evening this summer. Our group consisted of new riders as well as pros, green horses and finished show horses.
Horse Shopping 101 I am getting an increasing number of inquiries from people looking for a new horse. So it is with no small amount of forethought that we did a Horse Master episode featuring
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,
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
While shooting a Horse Master episode on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts I was introduced to a woman, Vickie Thurber, who had an accident with her young pinto eventing horse and wanted help introducing “Poco” to
What To Do With a Horse Afraid of His Rider Question: Hello Julie, I have a 4 year old registered paint gelding, Zippo Pine Bar bred, tall and gorgeous that I have had for just
Common Complaints My horse won’t stand still for mounting. Follow Julie Goodnight’s advice to teach your horse to stand still while you mount up. Does your horse begin the ride before you do? When you
I have lived with and worked with horses for more than half a century. And the older I get, the more appreciation I have for horses and their willingness, generosity and ability to forgive. It
Bitless or Bridle-less? To me, there’s a big difference. Often when I write about riding my horses bridle-less, people confuse it with the issue of riding bitless. To me, they are totally different subjects. At
To me, this is not a simple yes-or-no, black-or-white answer. Just as there are many good reasons not to shoe your horse, there are many reasons why you might want to shoe. There are few
Like most horse trainers, when it comes to my barn, I run a tight ship and I like things very orderly and very systematic. Even though my barn is totally private—no outside horses for training,
Question Category: Safety Concerns Question: My niece is 4 years old, and small for her age, but loves horses and riding. We would sit her on a horse from the time she was able to
Question Category: Safety Concerns Question: Hi Julie, I am going to be moving my quarter horse mare (4 yr old) from a stall barn to a 3 acre pasture with 2 other mares who are
Question Category: Safety Concerns Question: Are bicycle helmets as safe as riding helmets? I saw a news program that said they are safer than riding helmets, is that true? Some parents don’t want to purchase
Question Category: Safety Concerns Question: I am the parent of an 11-year-old girl who is serious about horses. She’s been riding for 5 years in California, and we just moved to Michigan. For two months
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
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Julie, Could you elaborate more on what you mean regarding the difference between posting “from the stirrup” and posting from the thigh? I’ve only started riding English this year (western
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Julie, first off, I have to say I spend many hours reading through your website. You are a gifted and inspirational woman, and thanks for all you share. I recently
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: How can I make sure I ride with my stirrups at the correct length? Answer: Appropriate stirrup length is critical for all levels and disciplines of riders. It is important
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Julie, I saw your clinic at the horse Expo in Illinois a couple of years ago and am completely impressed with both the your clinic and the down to earth
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Julie, I have a horse that I’m helping my daughter train for some rodeo queen contests. She is a beginner to horses and riding. On one of the patterns, she
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Hi Julie, I have trouble feeling my canter leads, and I know the worst thing I can do is look down. What is the best way to feel the lead?
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Dear Julie, My husband and myself went to your clinic on fear of horses at the Horse Expo in Denver and I cant thank you enough!! I thought we would
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
Question: Hello, I just found your website and think it’s great. I have a 15-year old gelding – appaloosa/Clydesdale cross, Copper. My problem is that I am not confident enough to follow through with things
Question: I’ve had a couple horse accidents and now have some fear issues I’ve never had to overcome before. How do you help people through their fear of horses and riding? Answer: Some level of
Question: Julie, I know you are soooo busy. Just drop me two words of encouragement. I need you! I have a 16.2 hand TB that after having the greatest relationship with for 2 years I
Question: What’s it like to be on Horse Master? Find out with this story about Lilly Neville’s English to Western story as profiled America’s Horse magazine (on the cover in January 2009). Then sign up
Question: Why do we mount and begin grooming/saddling on the horse’s left side? Answer: There are several answers to your questions…. First, because horses are very one-sided, that is, they only think on one side
Question: Hello Julie, I am looking at buying a Tennessee Walker. With my current horse, I am finding it a challenge to post. I’m 48 years old. I purchased your DVDs and they were helpful,
Question: Dear Julie, I was at the Ohio Equine Affaire and was able to sit in on one of your talks. It was the one on ‘herd dynamics.’ Very, very useful information! I have a
Question: Getting a horse to drink enough water has been a challenge for a long time. So long, in fact, that “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” is
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: My riding instructor and I have a question regarding using one rein while riding. I’ve seen it mentioned in several different articles and books. John Lyons discusses using
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: How do you know how much pressure a horse needs to respond to your cues and directions? Answer: From observing any given riding session, on any given day,
Question: I watched a show several weeks ago with Julie helping a rider work with a horse that lifted his head up to get away from the bit. I thought she taught the rider to
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Julie, I was at the Equine Expo in Massachusetts last week and enjoyed your clinics immensely. Quick synopsis of my quarter horse…I got him a year and a
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
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Dear Julie, I have an 8-year-old gelding that is very easy to work with on the ground and in the arena. He tends to become uptight, and nervous
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Julie, My horse holds the bit in her mouth when I am trying to take the bridle off and then throws her head up in the air and
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Dear Ms. Goodnight, I have a 15-year-old quarter horse, MAX, who decided he does not want to be the second horse out on the trail. I ride alone