Resources for Advance & Retreat
Managing Fearful Behavior in Horses
My young horse, Pepperoni, was just a tender 2-year-old with about 30 days undersaddle when I first ventured outside the arena with him. On that day, my number one goal was to make sure he
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
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
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
Have You Ever Been Kicked?
Have You Ever Been Kicked? Dear Julie: This may be a very odd question, but I was curious how many times have you been kicked or caught in the crossfire in your training career? I’ve
Cinching Up Just Enough – Julie Goodnight Q & A
Q: How tight should I tighten my horse’s cinch—and what is the right process. I don’t want to hurt my horse and I want to make sure he never becomes cinchy. –Pam Friend, via e-mail
Episode 909 – Afraid of Your Shadow
Julie Goodnight teaches a spooky horse to investigate what he’s afraid of.
De-Spooking Shadow/ Update on Episode 909
The Key to De-Spooking Shadow Desensitizing had failed. Could a new approach help this gelding—on camera, no less? By Annette Nole Hall Our beautiful, kid-broke Tennessee Walking Horse is a spook. His name is Shadow and
Avoid An On-Trail Spook
Your horse sees objects far away much better than those nearby. As a prey animal, he’s programmed to scan the horizon, searching for predators. His brain is also trained to react to quick movements, such
Head Shy
Make progress with an “advance and retreat” approach to your head shy horse. http://americashorsedaily.com/head-shy/#.VGaM-010xet
How To Settle Your Cinchy Horse
Is your trail horse cinchy? That is, does he act up when you saddle him, even before you reach for the cinch or girth? (Generally the term “cinch” is used for a Western saddle and
Riding A Spooky Horse
Ask Julie Goodnight: How Do I Handle Riding A Spooky Horse? Question: Dear Julie, I usually ride some type of warmblooded horse (not exactly sure of the exact type) during riding classes. He’s often very
Bridling And Un-Bridling
Horse Master How To “Heads Up” Teaching a horse to lower his head and accept the bit and bridle By Julie Goodnight In the Horse Master episode we named “Heads Up,” I help a horse
Trailering Issues
During the episode of Horse Master that we nicknamed, “Loaded Up,” I helped Laura Barnhart of Tuscon, Arizona teach her horse to walk onto the trailer instead of throwing a fit, rearing and bolting when
Why Are Horses So Spooky?
Question: Why are horses so spooky? Answer: 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
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
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
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
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
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
Riding Skills: How Do I Get A Secure Seat To Ride Out Spooks?
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Dear Julie, Last night I watched your TV show on introducing the horse to the surf. It was very informative but the thing that impressed me the most was how
Issues From The Saddle: Starting A Horse Under Saddle
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Julie Goodnight, Thank you for answering my request. My colt is 3 years, he was born in my arms, he is an Arabian. I have been working with
Issues From The Saddle: Spooky Horse
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Hi Julie! I usually ride some type of warmblooded horse (not exactly sure of the exact type) during riding classes. He’s often very nervous about a certain corner
Issues From The Saddle: How To Relax A Spooky Horse
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Dear Julie, I have broken my arm from the fall. We have snow on the ground and I didn’t want my horse {a forward horse} to run home.
Issues From The Saddle: How To Deal With A Spooky Horse
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Hello Julie, I was glad to see you are doing a clinic in my area in NH. I have a 10 year old who was born on my
Issues From The Saddle: Desensitizing Your Horse To The Girth Or Cinch
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Julie, I hope you can help me with my horse. He is a 15 y/o gelding, I ride him hunt seat. He gets very irritated when I girth
Issues From The Saddle: Desensitizing To Speeding Vehicles/Cars
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Dear Julie, I thoroughly enjoy your newsletters and look forward to receiving them! I’m also really looking forward to seeing you in West Springfield, MA at the Equine
Issues From The Ground: Head Shy In Stall
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: I have been noodling this problem through for a long time but I don’t really know how to help my horse further. My big gray QH (“Saul”) and
Issues From The Ground: Difficult To Bridle
Question Category: Issues from the Ground 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
Issues From The Ground: Desensitizing To Touch In Sensitive Areas
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: Hello Julie, I recently purchased a 13 yr QH mare about six months ago. I had been riding her for about eight months with an additional two-month lease.
Issues From The Ground: Clipping Ears
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: Hi, I have a yearling colt. I can clip all of him. But he will not let me clip his ears. I looked in your library and didn’t
Issues From The Ground: Advance And Retreat Techniques For Desensitizing
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: Desensitizing a Horse to Scary Stimuli Answer: These days, with military actions and war consistently in the headlines, thoughts of aggression and war are far too close at
Building A Better Relationship: Will Groundwork Help My Spooky Horse?
Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: Hi Julie, I have a gorgeous 6 yr old Irish sport horse gelding Bernie. I purchased him from a personal friend’s eventing farm almost 2 yrs ago. He
Episode 314 – Attention Please
Attention Please: Julie Goodnight helps a rider take charge, learn leg cues and avoid spooks
Episode 309 – Don’t Cinch Me In
Don’t Cinch Me In: Julie Goodnight helps a horse accept the girth without spooking
Horse is Terrified of Being Mounted
Hello Julie, I have a 4 yr old registered paint gelding, Zippo Pine Bar bred, tall and gorgeous that I have had for just over a year!!! But, he is terrified of being mounted. I
Why One Rein Is Better Than Two
This is the heart of clinic season for me and I have been on the road almost every weekend—WA,CA, OH, CO, MA. They were all great clinics with interesting people and horses. This weekend I
Desensitizing A Horse To Clippers
Tip for Clippers There are many stimuli that can cause a horse to be anxious and fearful about the clippers—the sound, the smell, the vibration, even the cord laying on the ground like a snake.
Desensitizing
Good Day! Recently on Horse Master is an episode filmed in LA about a driving pony who was deathly afraid of anything plastic—bags, tarps and the like. Her owner, a very competent horsewoman who I
Episode 108 – Time For Fears
Time For Fears: Julie Goodnight calms a driving pony’s longtime fear of plastic
Episode 101 – Trail Tribulations
Trail Tribulations: Julie Goodnight helps a trail rider desensitize her spooky horse