One of the most memorable episodes of Horse Master for me involved a lovely warmblood mare who developed a rearing problem after a successful run as a show jumper. The sweet and kind mare stood straight up as I mounted her—before I even sat down. Although sometimes rearing can become a learned response or a […]
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 is a life and death matter to a prey animal. When one horse in the herd becomes frightened, generally all […]
Julie Goodnight helps a rider get to the root of her horse’s dangerous rearing behaviors.
Julie Goodnight helps a rider get to the root of her horse’s dangerous rearing behaviors.
Dear Julie, I have a 15-year-old quarter horse that has decided he must be in the lead on the trail. I ride alone most of the time but do enjoy the company of others. When he feels any competition from another horse, he arches his neck and sets his head as if he’s ready to […]
Question: Hi I have just started to care for a 5 year old Irish Draught x TB – he has a tendon/tendon sheath injury and was about to be put to sleep by his previous owner, due to lack of time and money and the possibility that he may not be able to be ridden […]
Ask Julie Goodnight Question: I was on the Internet searching for info on rearing and found your web site. I have a question I hope you can help with. I have a 6 Yr. old Thoroughbred. He came off the track at 4yrs old and has had on ground training and started jumping. I noticed […]
A rearing horse is dangerous—when you’re on the ground or when you’re riding. Riding Right with Julie Goodnight Why does my horse rear? Dear Julie, I have a 12-year-old quarter horse gelding that hops up off his front legs whenever I ask him to go somewhere he doesn’t want to go like across the creek […]
Question Category: Safety Concerns Question: Dear Julie My cousin, who hadn’t been around horses much, bought a used 20yr. old Tennessee Walker, supposedly a calm, old gelding. My other cousin, who’s been around horses and was in 4H said he’d been starting to lift his front feet. Supposedly she and a friend were coming up […]
Question Category: Issues from the Saddle Question: Dear Julie Goodnight I am writing to you in regards to my horse’s problem with rearing, as someone that is experienced in horse behaviour I can not find the cause that is triggering the behaviour, it’s like one minute is his normal self which a good natured, relaxed […]
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: My friend has a 9-month-old filly that is half quarter horse and half appaloosa. She is a good little horse but quite spunky. She has been leading quietly on a halter since she got her 4 months ago, she is able to pick up her feet, is no […]
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: Hello Julie, I was on the Internet searching for info on rearing and found your web site. I have a question I hope you can help with. I have a 6 Yr. old TB. He came off the track at 4yrs old and has had on ground training […]
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: Hi I have just started to care for a 5 year old Irish Draught x TB – he has a tendon/tendon sheath injury and was about to be put to sleep by his previous owner, due to lack of time and money and the possibility that he may […]
Question Category: Issues from the Ground Question: I have a three month old colt. We halter him every day to lead him to and from his pasture. We started leading him with a butt rope which worked very well. In the last month or so we’ve been leading him like any other horse. We use […]
Rearing to Go: Julie Goodnight helps a frustrated trail rider keep her horse moving forward and from rearing
Rein Hold for a Balking Horse A balking horse is one that refuses to move forward in response to normal cues, usually because you are asking him to go somewhere he doesn’t want to go. Baring legitimate reasons for the horse not to go forward, like asking him to step over a rattlesnake, the horse […]