Fearful Of Riding My Thoroughbred
Question: I need you! I have a 16.2 hand Thoroughbred that after having the greatest relationship with for 2 years I am now petrified to ride. I even think about going on the trails and
Resources for Articles
Advance And Retreat
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
Dominated Horse
Dear Julie, I have a 13-year-old Paint Horse mare who is very dominant. She came to my barn as a two year old and I already had an18-year-old gelding and a 4-year-old mare. In just
My Horse Spooks And Lacks Focus
Dear Julie, I have a 10-year-old horse that was born on my farm. From day one has been an ADD/spooky horse. He has been a challenge! Although we have made progress, it seems like I’m
High Headed Pony
Dear Julie, My pony keeps her head up when I’m attempting to ride her in a collected frame. When I first got her she was so nervous about the bit in her mouth and what
Trots Down Hill
Dear Julie: My horse is generally great on the trails, but has one annoying habit that makes him uncomfortable to ride. Every time we head down a hill, even a small ditch crossing, he trots
A Bit Of Comfort
A Bit of Comfort “When connecting reins to the bit, I prefer to use a leather to leather connection for softness and a better feel. While having metal snaps in the ends of your reins
Two-Handed Reining
I have a question regarding using one rein, versus two, while riding and stopping your horse. When I ride with two hands or use the one-rein stop on my horses, it seems to calm them
Loose Reins VS Slight Contact
Dear Julie, I work part-time for the Forest Service at a horse campground. If often hear trail riders who come to the campground say they’ve been told to ride with very loose rein. They have
My Horse Spooks At Traffic
Dear Julie, I rescued a Standardbred mare two years ago. She was badly abused by her previous owner and has shown some residual signs of fear. The problem that I now have with her is
Boot And Foot Position
Make sure you ride with your boot far enough into the stirrup so that the ball of your foot is weighted. If you just place your toes into the stirrup, you’ll bend your foot and
Manners At Feed Time
Minding Manners at Feed Time Is your horse cranky at feed time? Does he pin his ears, bare his teeth and stomp his feet? Or worse, does he grab the hay out of your arms
Burned Out
This Issue: Burned Out Recently I was a speaker at the PATH International therapeutic riding conference—the annual convention. The crowd was full of hundreds of physical therapists, mental health specialists, therapeutic instructors, horse handlers, side
You Can’t Make Me Do That
Once again, it’s been a marathon the last couple of weeks, although I’d be a fool to complain about it. We were quite busy filming six new episodes of the TV show—Horse Master. We film
Sit The Spook
Sit the Spook Learn how to sit the spook on trail for safety and control with top trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight. All horses are capable of spooking. Horses are hardwired to flee in response to fear.
“Despook” Your Horse
Whether you’re riding on the trail, at a show, or in your own arena, you’ll likely encounter any number of obstacles and scary objects. Can you count on your horse to quietly and willingly approach
Fear Of Tight Trail Obstacle
Question: When I have to negotiate around a trail obstacle into tight places with trees and low limbs, my mare gets very nervous. She barges through, and it’s hard to hold back and maneuver through.
Troubleshoot Gate Openings
Question: My mare knows that when I lift the rope off the gate, I’ll then open that gate. She’s started “helping” by turning her body and using her nose to throw open the gate without
Horse Afraid of Mounting Block
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
Fearful Trail Horse
Fearful Trail Horse 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 when he goes
Correction Bit Needed?
Correction Bit? Question: We purchased a 6 year old mare approx. 6 months ago. She was previously bridled with a D Ring Snaffle. We have tried transitioning her with other Snaffles and a Touch Plus.
Sitting Trot
Sitting Trot Question: Q: 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 I
Bending, Riding Skills
Bending Question Category: Riding Skills Question: I rode the “easy going, chubby” dun in your clinic at Double K Stables in Somerset PA in August. I came away with so much good information that was
Leg-Sensitive Horse
Leg-sensitive Horse Issues from the Saddle Question: Dear Julie, I have been given a 12 year old gelding that I am very much attached to and enjoy riding. The problem is that he has had
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
Emergency Stops
Emergency Stops Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Dear Julie, My husband and I went to your seminar on fear of horses at your horse Expo in Denver and I can’t thank you enough!! I thought
My Horse Bucks When I Ask Him To Canter
Common Complaints My horse bucks when I ask him to canter. When you ask your horse to canter, does he pin his ears and hump his back—making it feel like he just swallowed a watermelon?
My Horse Is Tossing And Shaking His Head
Common Complaints My horse is fussy with his head. Help keep your horse from shaking his mane with these anti-head tossing tips from Julie Goodnight. When you ride, does your horse fuss with his head,
Teach Your Horse To Lower His Head
Caption: help your horse achieve a low headset and look calm and collected. Riding Right with Julie Goodnight Star Gazer: Teach your horse to lower his head Dear Julie, Do you have any suggestions for
Why Does My Horse Rear?
A rearing horse is dangerous—when you’re on the ground or when you’re riding. Riding Right with Julie Goodnight Why does my horse rear? Dear Julie, I have a 12-year-old quarter horse gelding that hops up
Horse Turns Toward Gate And Stops Working
Common Complaints My horse heads for the gate and stops while we’re working. Follow Julie Goodnight’s advice to teach your horse ignore the gate and work steadily. If your horse thinks turning toward the gate
Coping With Fear
Coping with Fear By Julie Goodnight There’s nothing wrong with being afraid of horses. They’re big scary animals capable of spontaneous violent combustion at any moment. In fact, it’s a bit of an intelligence test
Teach Your Horse To Slow Down
Speed Demon: Teach your horse to slow down on command Dear Julie, My 12-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse is always in a hurry—even to get around the arena! I’m always pulling back on her mouth to
My Horse Won’t Stand Still For Mounting
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
Sitting The Trot
Riding Right with Julie Goodnight Please Help me Sit the Trot! Dear Julie, My horse is a Friesian/Warmblood cross. Even though he moves beautifully, he has a big trot and he’s not exactly smooth. I
Fun Games And Exercises
Clear Fun with Julie Goodnight Fun Fundamentals with Julie Goodnight These are fun exercises to do with a friend or with your riding club. We’ll start on the ground then play and work in the
My Horse Is Herd-Bound And Barn Sour
My horse is herd-bound and barn-sour–calling to others constantly Would your horse rather stay with his buddies? Is he letting his voice be known? Follow Julie Goodnight’s behavior and training advice to help your horse
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
Horse Standing Still While Tied And In The Saddle
Common Complaints My horse fusses and fidgets when tied or when I ask him to stand still Julie Goodnight helps you calm your fidgety horse—helping him to be the rock-solid, trustworthy, still-standing horse you deserve.
Emergency Stop: Rein Aids That Keep You Safe
Dear Julie, I’ve been taking riding lessons every week for a few months (I used to ride when I was younger). The school I go to is very good—your horses are very fit and mostly
My Horse Drags Me, Circles Me And Bumps Into Me When Leading
Are you dragged, stepped on and rammed each time you lead your horse? Is your horse anxious and eager to get wherever you’re going? Does he circle you, causing you to constantly pull back to
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
Catching Your Horse From Pen Or Pasture
Common Complaints Help! I Can’t Catch My Horse! Want to catch your horse easily when retrieving him from pen or pasture? Follow Julie Goodnight’s behavior and training advice to help your horse be respectful and
Nurturing The Try In Your Horse
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? What Is The Difference?
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 Shoe Or Not To Shoe?
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
Barn Rules, Cleanliness & Respect At Feeding Time
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,
Safety Concerns: Wounded Warrier Looking For Best Therapy Horse
Question Category: Safety Concerns Question: Dear Miss Julie Goodnight, I am a Wounded Warrior at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and have sustained spinal injuries in Iraq. I have had surgeries and now am left using
Safety Concerns: Stirrup Bar Safety Latches
Question Category: Safety Concerns Question: I have heard different opinions on whether or not to leave stirrup bar safety latches open on English saddles? What do you think? Answer: CHA advocates always leaving stirrup bar
Safety Concerns: Should Toddlers Be Riding?
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