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
Resources for Training Advice
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
Horse Behavior: Horses Identify By Scent
Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: I have noticed that when I have been doing house cleaning and I visit the horses with the chemical smells on my hands that the horses seem put off by
Horse Behavior: Horse’s Instincts
Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Hi Julie, Can you tell what specifically are the horse’s instincts and how can we use these to our advantage in training? Yours gratefully, Emma Answer: Emma, The horse’s instincts
Horse Behavior: Are horses Right-Left Brained?
Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: Hi there Julie, It was so good to see you at the [CHA] conference. I just want to let you know that you are one of the few people that
Horse Behavior: Aggressive Herdmate
Question Category: Horse Behavior Question: HI, I have really appreciated your calm, common sense approach, so I wondered if I might ask you a horse behavior question, just to hear your thoughts. We recently (2weeks
Horse Behavior: Aggression At Feeding Time
Question: Hi Julie, First a “thank you” for all the help you have been to me in working on becoming a “natural Horseman”. My question is one regarding aggression at the feed bucket. I have
A Kickin’ and a Pullin’
I’ve been working with horses and riders for almost 30 years now– teaching people to ride better and have a greater understanding of their horses. Periodically I try to calculate the numbers of horses I’ve
Prepare To Ride Bridle-Less With Neck Rope
Is your horse well-trained, and you’re ready to add a neck rope to your riding regimen, in preparation to go bridle-less? Clinician Julie Goodnight recommends riding with a neck rope and your bridle to know
How Working Cattle Helps Your Horsemanship
I asked Julie to tell me a little about why she loves cow work and how it has improved her overall riding. Read on to find out what Julie loves about cow work, then check
Cleaning Saddle Pads
Cleaning Saddle Pads Here’s a quick tip for keeping your saddle pads clean and comfortable for your horse. Many people prefer to use a very thin “sweat pad” underneath the regular pad, made of an
Help For Stomping
Stop horses from stomping Flies can be a constant source of irritation to your horse in the summer. If your horse is spending most of his time biting, stomping and kicking at flies, he could
Bridle Path Trimming
Bridle path trimming Here’s a quick tip about clipping your horse’s bridle path. Although bridle path length varies in expectations with breed and discipline, in general, less is more. For Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred type
Stomping At Flies
If your horses are constantly stomping and kicking at flies, their actions could be causing unnecessary wear and tear on their joints. Flies also carry disease by transporting infectious agents to humans and horses. In
Halter Fit
The Right Fit Is your horse’s halter too snug or too loose? Does it hang down around his nose or squeeze his face, rubbing the hair away? Do you fit a rope halter the same
Disengagement
Disengagement Disengagement of the hindquarters occurs when your horse crosses his hind legs. Your horse’s “motor” is in his hind end. So, when his hind legs cross, the engine is in neutral; your horse stops
Does Your Bit Fit?
Check Your Bit Fit Most riders either inherit a bit when they purchase a horse or do their best to pick one off the shelf. But how many riders actually check the fit of their
Save Your Horse’s Mouth, Stop With Your Seat
Save Your Horse’s Mouth, Stop with Your Seat You probably learned to “kick to go” and “pull to whoa” from the very start of your riding career. While this simplistic view of communicating with your
Showing Affection To Horses
Before you start smooching on your horse, it may be useful to understand how horses show affection to each other. Mutual grooming (a.k.a. allo-grooming) is the primary affectionate behavior of horses that isn’t related to
Coordinated Grooming
Grooming is a great time to get some exercise and develop the bi-lateral coordination and symmetrical strength that you need to become a better rider. Many riders have a strong dominant side—which can mean that
Confidence Boost, Overcoming Fear
Fear Not Fear is a normal emotion to have around horses; it’s what keeps you from doing something that could be deadly. There’s nothing wrong with being afraid at times; but fear is a negative
Pronation And Riding Position For A Pain-Free Ride
Disjointed Riders Do you suffer from leg, knee and ankle pain or numbness while riding? As you ride, your legs are spread in an unnatural position, causing pressure on your ankle, knee and hip joints.