Calming Your Horse | Julie Goodnight Academy

Resources for Calming Your Horse

Julie working with a horse on a leadline

Plugging the Holes in Your Horse’s Training

You have future goals to accomplish with your horse, but you know you’re not ready yet. Equestrian sports require a long-term commitment and often the journey takes us places we didn’t imagine when we started.

What’s LOVE Got To Do With It?

If you are reading my blog, chances are good that you LOVE all horses, and your own horse especially. But does your horse LOVE you back? As it turns out, many animal behaviorists believe that

Pepper watching pasture horses in the background

The Secret Ingredient: Managing the Herd-Bound Horse

At my ranch, we have seven geldings and one mare. When we brought my new foster mare, Truth, in for training the two mares were instantly drawn to each other like magnets. At first, it

Secret Powers are Within You!

It should go without saying that training and riding a thousand-pound flight animal is complicated—it’s the only sport I know of that involves inter-species teamwork. Riding is a partnership of two athletes—horse and human—each with

Calm Your Horse During a Ride

Has your horse ever been anxious or amped up during a ride, and you just need to help him calm down a bit? Whether you’re on the trail or waiting to go in the ring

Horsemanship Homework

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. Despite our best efforts, there are times when life-events will supplant your horsemanship activities. Putting in too many hours at work, an illness in the family, a new job,

Think Forward: Ride Yourself Out of Rough Spots

When was the last time you felt a lack of control while riding your horse, even if only for a moment? Was he spooked? Did your horse freak out because the other horses took off?

Well Behaved: Sensing His Environment

Well Behaved In this 12-part series, top trainer Julie Goodnight helps you de-code your horse’s natural language: his behavior. You’ll learn how and why your horse acts like he does and how to interact in

3 Leadership Activities

By: Heidi Melocco with Julie Goodnight Top trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight gives you three fun activities designed to enhance the bond you have with your horse and solidify your role as herd leader. During cold winter

Why Do Horses Relax And Listen When I Use One Rein At A Time?

Ask Julie Goodnight: Why do horses relax and listen when I use one rein at a time? Question: Dear Julie, My riding instructor and I have a question regarding using one rein while riding. I’ve

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

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.

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

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

Riding Skills: Riding With Direct Contact

Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Dear Julie, I have ridden western for the last 20 years, and have trained my horses based on the resistance free method or Natural Horsemanship as it is most commonly

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: Why One Rein Is Better Than Two

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

Issues From The Saddle: Nervous To Go On Trail

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

Issues From The Saddle: Jigging Horse Sensitive To The Leg

Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: 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 some past

Issues from the Ground: Lead line leadership

Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: I know I need to teach my horse to respect me while I’m leading him at halter. He’s pushy and pulls me. How do I get started? How

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