Proactive Riding—Take the Driver’s Seat
Many of the questions I get start with a sentiment like this: “My horse used to do this well, but now he won’t,” or, “My horse was really responsive when I first got him, and
Resources for confidence articles
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
Beyond Clinics: You Get Out What You Put In
Horsemanship clinics are intensive training opportunities, usually with an expert from another area. As a horsemanship clinician, I generally work with riders and horses I’ve never met, and usually on a one-time basis. There are
Riding in the Moment
One thing horses are really good at is being present in the moment. People, not so much. We tend to carry baggage from the past and stress about the future, but not stay present with
Trust Your Intuition to Avoid Injury
“Try That One More Time.” When it comes to horses, these words are often looked back on with regret. They’re often the words muttered right before something goes terribly wrong. Words matter. Sometimes we need
Stop In An Emergency
The Trail Rider ~ May/June 2016 Riding Right Stop in an Emergency The one-rein stop is often taught as the go-to aid for slowing and stopping a rowdy horse. But on a
Mastering the Canter
Everywhere I go—whether it’s to clinics, expos, conferences or just riding with friends—there are riders working on mastering the canter. Whether it is a novice rider just figuring out how to cue the horse and
The Big Comeback
Confidence is tough to regain after a fall. It’s much easier to work through your fears when you trust the horse you ride when your fears are still actively surfacing. Make sure that the horse
Explosive Canter Departures: Learning to let go and allow the horse to move forward
I’ve learned to recognize the signs of the horse who’s afraid of the canter departure. I’ve seen it many times throughout my career: A “forward” horse (with too much go) works just fine with the
Becoming The Leader
I love when kids are interested in riding. Most of the time the best horses for learning are the lazy and slow ones. Even if they are usually well-behaved, these horses can learn quickly that
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
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
Fear Management
What do you do if you have ridden successfully in the past but a scary incident or injury replaced fun with fear? I hear from many riders who were once confident and after an accident
Confidence From The Core
As we age, our balance, core-strength and posture can be negatively affected and all of these things have an impact on your confidence. If you think of the image of an elderly person tottering down
Strength Leads To Confidence
Strength Leads to Confidence By Julie Goodnight “That which does not kill you makes you stronger.” By and large, these are good words to consider when it comes to horses. Confidence is such a prevalent
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,
Horse Guilt: Focus On Your Personal Riding Goals And Ditch Any Guilt About Not Riding Enough
My friend Nancy is a life-long rider in her 60s and a pretty good hand with a horse. One day while practicing her reining patterns in the arena, her horse spooked ‘out of the blue’
Horses As Our Teachers
For better or for worse, you can learn something from every horse that you ride—whether it is a skill or a life-lesson. Sometimes you learn something you should always do, or something you should never
Look, Breathe, Sit Back To Boost Riding Confidence
Three steps to overcoming riding nervousness–plus, a way to remember them when it matters most. Fear can make you tense and defensive. That, in turn, can cause you to be rough with your horse. It’s
Ponying With Confidence
Simply put, ponying means to lead a horse alongside the horse you’re riding. On the trail, the task comes in handy when you’re training a new horse and helping him get used to obstacles and
Afraid Of The Canter Cue
Question: Dear Julie, When riding in the arena at the canter, for the first few strides my horse throws his head up in the air. Why is he doing this? Puzzled Answer: Dear Puzzled, This
Becoming The Leader
Question: I need advice for my daughter and her horse. My daughter is 10 years old and very interested in riding, however she lacks confidence in riding. Her horse has come to figure this out.
The Draw Of Horses After An Accident
Horses have their own gravity. If you’ve loved them in the past and been pushed away because of an injury or accident, it’s possible you’ll be drawn right back to their beautiful, sleek, powerful sides.
Fear Of Cantering
Ask Julie Goodnight: How do I overcome fears of cantering? Hi Julie, I have been riding for about 2 years. I’m 53, and although I have been around horses (started my daughter riding @ 4-5
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
Conquering Fear
Ask Julie Goodnight: Question: Ms. Goodnight, I recently read your article regarding fear of horses. I have a unique problem related to fear and hope you can help. I was in the round pen and
Fearing The Transition
In Devon Danvers’ “Lost in Transition” episode of Horse Master, I helped a teenager who was ready to stop showing—and riding—because his horse exploded into the canter and just wasn’t fun to ride. The episode
Fearful Of Riding My Thoroughbred
Question: I need you! I have a 16.2 hand Thoroughbred that after having the greatest relationship with for 2 years I am now petrified to ride. I even think about going on the trails and
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
“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
Fear Of Tight Trail Obstacle
Question: When I have to negotiate around a trail obstacle into tight places with trees and low limbs, my mare gets very nervous. She barges through, and it’s hard to hold back and maneuver through.
Coping With Fear
Coping with Fear By Julie Goodnight There’s nothing wrong with being afraid of horses. They’re big scary animals capable of spontaneous violent combustion at any moment. In fact, it’s a bit of an intelligence test
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
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
Safety Concerns: Broken Bones, Concussion, Whiplash… Should I Buy This Horse?
Question Category: Safety Concerns Question: Dear Julie, I recently picked up riding after a lifelong LOVE of horses and have been taking lessons twice weekly for about two and a half months with the intention
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
Riding Skills: Emergency Stopping Rein
Question Category: Riding Skills Question: Dear Julie, My husband and myself went to your clinic on fear of horses at the Horse Expo in Denver and I cant thank you enough!! I thought we would
Overcoming Fear: What Can I Do To Help Overcome My Fear Of Riding?
Question: Hello, My daughter has a 5 year old Thoroughbred/Percheron mare that when she was riding last winter in the indoor. The snow slid off the roof and the horse bolted; she fell off and
Overcoming Fear: Uncontrollable Fears Of Falling Off
Question: Hi Julie, I just purchased your audio CD, Building Confidence with Horses, and listened to it while driving to work. Your principles make perfect sense, I now need to work though them and practice
Overcoming Fear: My Horse Doesn’t Respect Me & I’m Scared To Correct Him
Question: Hello, I just found your website and think it’s great. I have a 15-year old gelding – appaloosa/Clydesdale cross, Copper. My problem is that I am not confident enough to follow through with things
Overcoming Fear: Fear Of Being Thrown
Question: Ms. Goodnight, I recently read your article regarding fear of horses. I have a unique problem: Recently I was involved in tryouts for a Horse Patrol position in my sector. I work on the
Overcoming Fear: Fear Management
Question: Hi Julie, I learned about you from a friend in the barrel racing community. I am a 42-year-old woman, a dyed in the wool horse lover and owner, someone who will never again feel
Overcoming Fear: Coping With The Fear After Accidents
Question: I’ve had a couple horse accidents and now have some fear issues I’ve never had to overcome before. How do you help people through their fear of horses and riding? Answer: Some level of
Overcoming Fear: Coping With Fear Of Horses
Question: Julie, I know you are soooo busy. Just drop me two words of encouragement. I need you! I have a 16.2 hand TB that after having the greatest relationship with for 2 years I
Overcoming Fear: Afraid To Canter
Question: Hi Julie, I have been riding for about 2 years. I’m 53, and although I have been around horses (started my daughter riding @ 4-5 yrs old, own a race horse) have always been
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: Fear Of Riding And Inappropriate Horses
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Hi Julie, I first saw you in 2005 at the Louisville Equine Affaire. You were awesome, and you were so right about fear management, your seminars are packed
Issues From The Saddle: Distracted Herd-Bound Horse
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Dear Julie, I was at your clinics last year at the Equine Affair Massachusetts. I tell you, you were the greatest trainer there! My horse, Rufus (an 8
Building A Better Relationship: Women’s Connection With Horses
Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: How do you explain the connection women have with horses? Answer: Without question, there is a connection between women and horses. This bond lures both young girls and
Building A Better Relationship: My New Horse Is Challenging Me
Question Category: Building a Better Relationship Question: Dear Julie, I just purchased my first horse, Toby, three weeks ago as an adult beginner. He is an 8 year old paint gelding and I moved him