Articles | Julie Goodnight Academy

Resources for Articles

Building A Better Relationship: Ground Work Techniques

Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: Hi Julie, I caught just a minute of your Ground Manners clinic yesterday at Equine Affaire. I have seen this method of twirling the lead (don’t know what

Talk About Tack: Which Bit To Use– The Myler MB33 Or MB36

Question: Dear Julie: I’ve been watching your show for some time now and can’t tell you how much I appreciate you! I’ve learned more from you than from a year of English riding lessons! Sad,

Talk About Tack: Which Bit For Neck Reining On A Finished Horse?

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Julie, How do I know what bits to try on a horse that is new to me? And can I ride western (neck rein) in a bit without leverage?

Talk About Tack: When Or Should You Start Using Draw Reins?

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Wow, Julie, what an awesome website you have! At what time in a horse’s training do you start using draw reins? I started my three year old three months

Talk About Tack: What Is The Right Bit?

Question: We purchased a large pony nearly 6 months ago. When we purchased him, he was being ridden in a tom thumb bit and shook his head a lot to avoid it. We changed him

Talk About Tack: What Is The Best Rein To Use?

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Dear Julie, When starting my colt I was advised to use slobber straps and a rope rein for several reasons. When the horse was further along several people recommended

Talk About Tack: Western Snaffle Bit Rein Hold

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: I have been trying to determine the proper rein hold for showing a western horse two-handed in a snaffle bit. I have been riding with the reins running between

Talk About Tack: Using A Tom Thumb Bit

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: I have a horse that constantly tosses her head and fools with the bit. I use a tom thumb with her. Please give me a short education on bits.

Talk About Tack: Use Of The Spur

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Dear Julie, My understanding is that spurs are to be used to back up a request if the horse is not responding or to make a cue more clear

Talk About Tack: Understanding Bits– Tom Thumb

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Ms Goodnight: We always come and see your seminars at Equine affair in Ohio. Last year I really enjoyed your discussion about balance and position I took good notes

Talk About Tack: Understanding Bits– Myler

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Dear Julie, My question to you is what is your opinion of Myler bits? I came across a book recently that talked about the Myler comfort snaffle. I was

Talk About Tack: Snaffle To Curb

Question: Dear Julie, I am currently schooling and riding in a D-ring snaffle bit. I want to start training for Western Pleasure. What kind of shank bit do you recommend for the transition? Thanks,Kim Answer:

Talk About Tack: Bit Placement: One Wrinkle Or Two?

Question: Hey Julie, I have read everything (I think) on your website about bits, but nothing says where it should be positioned. Some say you should see a wrinkle in the mouth and others don’t.

Talk About Tack: Bit For Runaway Horse

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: I stumbled onto your Dear Julie site while looking for info. Let me explain what I’m trying to do. I recently bought an 8-year-old Standardbred gelding that has been

Talk About Tack: Bad Habit: Fighting The Bit

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Our horse, a 12-year-old quarter horse, has started a bad habit. Recently we had our vet float his teeth and since then he fights taking the bit. He has

Talk About Tack: Saddle Slips

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Dear Julie, My friends and I have a problem with our saddles rolling over to the side when we get on. My horse in particular has a flat broad

Talk About Tack: Saddle Rigging Explained/ Julie’s Saddle Line With Flex Tree Saddles

Question: I am switching from English to Western and am hoping to get one of your Peak Performance saddles. I am looking at the Monarch Arena/Trail saddle or the Wind River Trail saddle. I really

Talk About Tack: Saddle Fit

Question: Dear Julie, Six months ago I bought a 7 y/o QH gelding and he has turned out to be an awesome trail riding horse and a promising versatility ranch horse prospect. He is dark

Talk About Tack: Rope Halter — Do’s And Dont’s

Question: Dear Julie: I have a silly question…My mare is 15yo and I have NEVER used a rope halter. Do you have a basic do’s and don’ts for me….things I need to know to help

Talk About Tack: My horse Tosses Her Head, What Bit Should I Use?

Question: We purchased a 6 yr old mare approx. 6 mos ago. She was previously bridled with a D Ring Snaffle. We have tried transitioning her with other Snaffles and a Touch Plus. She seems

Talk About Tack: How To Tie A Rope Halter

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: What’s the correct way to tie a rope halter? Answer: Download Julie’s free poster with photos and directions about how to tie her rope halters: http://juliegoodnight.com/pdf/halterinstructions.pdf Download Julie’s halter-tying

Talk About Tack: Is A Snaffle Really Comfortable?

Question: Hi Julie, I came across a book recently that talked about the comfort snaffle. I was surprised to learn that snaffles are not exactly what they are supposed to be and some bits that

Talk About Tack: How High Does The Bit Go In The Horse’s Mouth?

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Dear Julie, How do you know when a bit is properly sitting in the horse’s mouth? We have always heard that you look at the “wrinkles”. However, this can

Talk About Tack: Full-Cheek Snaffles

Question: Dear Julie: I have seen quite a few western horses lately wearing full cheek snaffle bits without cavessons/nose bands or bit keepers. When I ask the rider about their bit, they reply, “To avoid

Talk About Tack: Fitting Curb Chains To Curb Bits

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: How do you fit curb chains to horses for curb bits and kimberwicke bits? How do you properly test the pressure of the curb chain? Answer: There is information

Talk About Tack: Elbow-Pull Bitting Device, Goodnight Bitting System

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Hi Julie, You had mentioned in one of your Q & A’s a product called, a self-correcting bitting device. What is it and where can you purchase it? Thanks

Talk About Tack: Difference Between Tie Down And Martingale

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: Julie, Please explain the difference between a tie down and martingale. Answer: A tie down and a standing martingale are very similar in that they both attach from the

Talk About Tack: Child’s Saddle Size

Question Category: Talk about Tack Question: My daughter is almost 9 and she stands 4′ 7″. My question is when riding a full grown quarter horse is it best to use an adult saddle? I

Trailer Loading Training Techniques, Finding A Trainer

Question: I am an intermediate rider and have had my very first horse for the last year now. She is 18 years young and a great trail horse. I don’t know much about her past,

Annual Check-Up: Saddle Fit

Each year, about this time, I make it a point to look with fresh eyes at each of my horses to see if any saddle adjustments are necessary. Horses that I have had for years

Setting Training Goals

This time of year, reflection and goal setting comes naturally. I’ve always been a big fan of making New Year’s resolutions and more often than not, I keep them. For me, the secret to keeping

Building A Better Relationship: Ground Manners For Showmanship

Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: Hi Julie, The following is from my daughter Anna. (she’s 11) Dear Julie Goodnight, This year was very exciting for me. It was my first year showing at

Building A Better Relationship: Goodnight Training Works!

Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: Dear Julie, Some months ago I wrote you about my horse being herd bound and becoming quite fractious on the trail.Your advice was basically that he was not

Building A Better Relationship: Does My Horse Respect Me?

Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: Dear Julie, I have a 5 year old Tennessee Walker that I have had for almost a year. I am not sure if some of the things that

Building A Better Relationship: Do All Breeds Respond To Groundwork?

Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: Good Morning, I need your input! I bought a Rocky Mountain Horse two days ago. He is eleven years old. I also have a quarter horse mare that

Building A Better Relationship: Correcting Aggressive Behavior

Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: I have a very dominant 9-year-old Tennessee walker. He is very proud, and was abused and starved. I’ve had him for 3 years. I am having problems with

Bratty Behavior In Horses

Recently, I gave a training clinic with this very title at a horse expo. Since I do not travel with my own horses, I am reliant on the expo producers to find appropriate horses for

Quick Tips To Check Stirrup Length

Appropriate stirrup length is critical for all levels and disciplines of riders. It is important for safety, for rider balance and for the effectiveness of the rider in developing correct riding skills. Time and time

Issues From The Saddle: Horse Won’t Turn When I Ask Him To

Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Hi Julie, I just have a quick question. I have a 4.5 year old Warmblood that stands at a massive 17.2. He is very well behaved on the

Horse Behavior: Understanding Horse Behavior

Before we can ever hope to understand, let alone control the movement of a horse, it is important to know the various behaviors that motivate a horse to move in the first place. Being a

Horse Behavior: Trailering problems

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: I am writing this letter to you from Natal, South Africa. We’ve got a horse that has a new problem, which just suddenly occurred. He never had traveling problems, and

Horse Behavior: The meaning behind audible expressions

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Dear Julie Goodnight, Several times this spring my mare has made a sound that sounds like a Donkey; she did it on the 28th of May when I put her

Horse Behavior: Territorial, Hormonal Mare

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Dear Julie, I am a first time horse owner with a 4-year-old paint mare. The woman I bought her from is training her and I can ride her but she

Horse Behavior: Snaking Or Herding Behavior

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: My Thoroughbred mare who is 14 years old, tends to do something “dumb” with her head [when she is in the pen with the other horses]. She kind of bobs

Horse Behavior: Snaking Behavior

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Thanks for responding to my first email. Now, the deal is that the mare is neighing, which she has NEVER done in the year and half that I have had

Horse Behavior: Showing A Lactating Mare

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: I have a mare due to foal Feb 28 that I show in 2 local circuits from May-September. Shows are twice/month. What is the best way to be able to

Horse Behavior: Self Mutilation

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Dear Julie, What do you know about Self Mutilation… and what can we do to stop our 11 year old gelding from mutilating himself? he was a stallion until last

Horse Behavior: Seasoning A Horse For Shows

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: I am writing from Pretoria South Africa. My daughter recently attended her first show-jumping event. Her horse boxed (trailered) without major problems and also traveled well. At the event this

Horse Behavior: Putting A Young Stallion In With a Herd Of Geldings

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: I have a 10-month-old Welsh stallion pony that is very well mannered with a sweet disposition. I also have three other geldings; one is new to the “herd” but getting

Horse Behavior: Nipping Colt

Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Hi Julie, Here is my problem. My yearling colt, Scout, bites. It’s now become a game to him. He didn’t bite the first 3-4 months when I first brought him