Communication | Julie Goodnight Academy

Resources for Communication

Artificial Aids: Training Tool or Crutch?

Horses are amazingly adaptable creatures, and over thousands of years they have partnered with us and found ways to make themselves invaluable to human society. Since before horses were even ridden, humans have attempted to

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 the Temperature of Your Horse’s Temperament?

Horses are unique individuals with differing temperaments and a variety of idiosyncrasies. Even within one breed or type of horse, temperament can vary greatly between individuals. The more you know and understand about your horse’s

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

Back From the Brink: Managing Emotional Meltdowns in Horses

No doubt about it—horses are emotional animals; perhaps more emotional than humans. As prey and herd animals, horses are programmed to adopt the emotions of the animals around them (herd mentality) and react appropriately. It

Cultivating a Connection with Horses

Duke was a well-trained gelding, successful in the show ring as a youngster, then ridden extensively in the rugged mountains of Colorado. He was a handsome hunk of muscle, very balanced, always a delight to

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

Get a Handle on Your Reins

Tack and equipment play an important role in riding and training horses. Knowing the options and making the right choices can make a huge difference in your riding. The four natural aids of the rider

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,

Consistency Counts

On one of my many visits to southern California, I was conducting a horsemanship clinic in the town of Norco, renowned for its horse-friendly lifestyle. On any given day in “Horsetown USA,” you’ll see horses

horses next to each other looking agitated

Did You Teach Your Horse to Kick?

The first time I saw and understood this behavioral dynamic, between a horse and its rider, was about twenty years ago at a clinic for people learning to manage their fear of horses. I’ve seen

A Devoted Horse

Horses rise or fall to your level of expectation, no matter how high or low. If you think he’s going to spook at something, he generally will. If you think he is going to throw

Horses Give More than they Get

When you own horses, and especially if you keep them at home, sometimes it seems like your whole life revolves around doing their bidding—food service, housekeeping, valet service, maintenance. Most people who dream of bringing

Begging for Acceptance

Imagine you’re meeting a blind date at a coffee shop, a setup by your friend who just wouldn’t take no for an answer. Even though you’re not really interested in a relationship right now, you

1005: Hear Me Now?

Julie Goodnight helps a deaf polo pony learn hand signals for clear communication during groundwork.

Behavior Bummers

Does your trail horse paw, walk off when you mount up, or go at an inconsistent speed? Correct these behavioral woes with these techniques from top trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight. BY JULIE GOODNIGHT WITH HEIDI MELOCCO

Horses are Survivors

By Julie Goodnight Have you worked with a rescued horse or a horse with abuse in his past? The lessons learned from working with these troubled-but-not-disposable horses are priceless. If you let them, these horses

Extended Trot Instead Of Canter Cue

Julie Goodnight Q&A Q: How do I get my horse to move out at the trot without breaking into a lope? He’s a western horse learning dressage and the extended trot is part of the

Episode 905 – Lil Bit of Groundwork

Julie Goodnight helps a newly adopted horse and her owner learn to communicate clearly before riding.

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

Choose The Right Reins

RIDE RIGHT//NOV-DEC 2015 Online extra! For Julie Goodnight’s tip on using color-coded reins for kids, go to TrailRider.com. Choose the Right Reins Learn how choose the right reins, and use them safely on the

Trust Is A Two-Way Street

Trust is an elusive thing, both to give and to get. You cannot force or implore someone to trust you, you can only earn it. If you feel as though you have been wronged by

A Safe Handle On The Reins

A Safe Handle on the Reins By Heidi Nyland Melocco with Julie Goodnight Learn how to safely use your reins on the trail with top trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight. She’ll explain how to hold and

Episode 905 – Lil Bit Of Groundwork – Behind The Scenes

Julie Goodnight helps a newly adopted horse and her owner learn to communicate clearly before riding.

On The Rail: Teaching Horse Behavior To Youth Q And A

On the Rail: Teaching Horse Behavior to Youth By Julie Goodnight Q: Dear Julie, I am a big believer in natural horsemanship and how effective it is to handle horses with an understanding

Horseback Riding Basics: Using Your Aids, Part 2 from AQHA Daily

Clear, consistent communication is the key to smooth transitions with your horse. AQHA Professional Horsewoman Julie Goodnight explains that your horse comes to understand how you’re moving with how he’s moving and that you can

Relationship Fix Series

Relationship Fix Series Bonding Dos and Don’ts By Julie Goodnight with Heidi Melocco Top trainer Julie Goodnight discusses how to show your horse affection without deteriorating your leadership in your herd of

Ride Right With Julie Goodnight: Confidence on the Trail

It’s easy to lose confidence on the trail if your well-trained horse has defied you or refused to go forward. A threat to bolt or rear can make a confident rider worry and, in turn,

Stop With Your Seat

Use your voice and seat as stopping cues to help your horse understand that you want to slow down. This will give him the chance to stop willingly, so you won’t have to apply rein

Riding Skills: Making Smooth Gait Transitions

Clinician Julie Goodnight tells you how to use pre-signals and breathing techniques to improve your horse’s transitions between gaits. Are your horse’s transitions between gaits as smooth as glass? Or do you hold your breath

Forehand Turn

To hone your basic gate-opening skills (see “Open a Gate,” Horsemanship & Maneuvers, The Trail Rider, January/February ’10), master a turn on the forehand. In this maneuver, your horse obediently and slowly swings his hips

Understanding Spurs

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 as in lateral work. I

The Old Question Of 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

How Can Cow-Work Benefit Your Overall Horsemanship

Julie, when did you first start working cattle? It wasn’t until I graduated from college and moved to Colorado that I first enjoyed the thrill of working cattle from a horse. After the hunter/jumper identity

The Difference Between Lead Line Circling And Longeing

Ask Julie Goodnight: What’s the Difference in Longeing and Lead Line Circling? Question: Dear Julie, I purchased your DVD, Lead Line Leadership and I have been searching your library and need some basic clarification. What

Riding Skills: Understanding Your Leg Aids

The “natural aids” are the tools that you were born with that allow you to communicate to the horse what you want him to do while you are riding. Traditionally, there are four natural aids,

Establishing Dominance

Question: I tend to be a big softy when it comes to dealing with my horse. Now I have created a horse that knows this and takes advantage of me, especially when doing groundwork. He

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

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

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

Emergency Stopping Rein Aids That Keep You Safe

Riding Right with Julie Goodnight Emergency! The 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

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

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

Quick Tip: How You Affect Your Horse’s Movement

Riding Skills: Using Your Upper Body Properly

Question Category: Riding Skills Question: How should my upper body be as I ride? Answer: Much focus is given to the rider’s seat and leg position, as it should be, for these are critical areas

Riding Skills: Training Advanced Maneuvers For Cowhorse

Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Hello, I have a 5 year old Paint. I’ve kept everything easy, slow and clear. He has turned out to be a great cow working horse. Now how do I

Riding Skills: One-Rein Stop

Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Julie, first off, I have to say I spend many hours reading through your website. You are a gifted and inspirational woman, and thanks for all you share. I recently

Riding Skills: Judging Stirrup Length

Question Category: Riding Skills Question: How can I make sure I ride with my stirrups at the correct length? Answer: Appropriate stirrup length is critical for all levels and disciplines of riders. It is important

Riding Skills: How Do I Find My Seat?

Question: Dear Julie, First I wanted to let you know that I truly enjoy your website and reading your training library section. I have picked-up many good points which I have been able to put

Riding Skills: Gears Of The Seat

Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Hi Julie, I got to watch one of your clinics at the Midwest Horse Fair last weekend. (I had a booth there in the exhibit hall and so I only