Skip to content

Julie's Blog

A Look Back: My 2023 Horse Goals

My crew is always coming up with big ideas for helping riders and horse owners live their dreams. Like me, they are all on their own personal horsemanship journey and
Read More

When Horses “Shut Down”

A horse owner recently reached out to me asking for guidance with a 3-year-old colt that came to her completely shutdown. His eyes glaze over and he statues-up in response
Read More
Annie and Juliie cantering in the outdoor arena with mountains in the background.

Should I Let Someone Else Ride My Horse?

Photo Crredit: Melissa Arnold Should you let someone else ride your horse? There are two common points of view that I run into on this subject: โ€œNo! I do not
Read More

Horse Goals Or Bust Part 8: Mental Strategies to Manage Day-Of Anxiety & Perform at Your Best

Whether your equestrian goals involve a competition, a trail adventure, or building the confidence to try something new, itโ€™s likely that you will experience periods of anxiety and moments of
Read More
View of an arena through a horse's ears.

Horse Goals or Bust Part 7: It’s Go Time!

We are now 7 months into Horse Goals or Bustโ€”setting goals, planning, training, practicing, and preparing. Itโ€™s prime riding season in most areas, so now is the time to put
Read More
Truck pulling a horse trailer.

Horse Goals or Bust Part 6: Your Trailer FAQs Answered

Itโ€™s been a lot of fun to hear about the goals, skill assessments, and training plans that weโ€™ve all been working on this year in ourย Horse Goals or Bust!ย endeavors. Hopefully
Read More
Julie grooming her horse, Annie.

Horse Goals or Bust Part 5: Grooming Tips from the Trail to the Arena

Whether your horsemanship goals for this year involve gaining confidence, an overnight trail ride, or competing in any given discipline, your horseโ€™s appearance speaks volumes. Not only is grooming another
Read More
julie-riding-horse

Horse Goals or Bust! Part 4: Rider Skill Assessment & Training Plan

We are now four months into Horse Goals or Bust!, and we still have half a year left to fulfill our dreams and achieve our equestrian aspirations! Last month, we
Read More

Horse Goals or Bust! Part 3: Rider Fitness & Conditioning Plan

We are three months into Horse Goals or Bust!โ€”my nine-month plan to help you accomplish your horsemanship goals and live your dreams. Many of you have jumped onboard for this
Read More

Free Articles

December 2023 Horse Report

Winter is finally upon us, and as most of you know by now, Annie is in foal to Bet Hesa Cat. Her due date is April 28th, so she is
Read More

A Look Back: My 2023 Horse Goals

My crew is always coming up with big ideas for helping riders and horse owners live their dreams. Like me, they are all on their own personal horsemanship journey and
Read More

September 2023 Horse Report: A Lesson in Letting Go

Many of you have followed along with my plans to breed my AQHA mare, Annie, to a top cow horse stallion, Bet Hesa Cat. At first it seemed highly likely
Read More

When Horses “Shut Down”

A horse owner recently reached out to me asking for guidance with a 3-year-old colt that came to her completely shutdown. His eyes glaze over and he statues-up in response
Read More
Annie and Juliie cantering in the outdoor arena with mountains in the background.

Should I Let Someone Else Ride My Horse?

Photo Crredit: Melissa Arnold Should you let someone else ride your horse? There are two common points of view that I run into on this subject: โ€œNo! I do not
Read More

July 2023 Horse Report

As I mentioned last month, my plans to breed Annie didnโ€™t go the way I hoped, and Iโ€™m shifting gears with her this fall to my #2 goalโ โ€”going horse camping!
Read More

Horse Goals Or Bust Part 8: Mental Strategies to Manage Day-Of Anxiety & Perform at Your Best

Whether your equestrian goals involve a competition, a trail adventure, or building the confidence to try something new, itโ€™s likely that you will experience periods of anxiety and moments of
Read More

June 2023 Horse Report

My Horse Goals or Bust! plans have taken an unexpected turn. My big horse goals included breeding my mare, Annie, which turned out to be an exercise in patience. It
Read More
View of an arena through a horse's ears.

Horse Goals or Bust Part 7: It’s Go Time!

We are now 7 months into Horse Goals or Bustโ€”setting goals, planning, training, practicing, and preparing. Itโ€™s prime riding season in most areas, so now is the time to put
Read More

Training Articles

JulieGoodnight.com Logo

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
Read More
JulieGoodnight.com Logo

Julie Goodnight Q&A: Bit Tips

Question: I just purchased a seven-year-old gelding. The previous owner was riding him in a single-jointed snaffle bit. Now, Iโ€™m looking for a bit for him and he has responded
Read More

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
Read More
JulieGoodnight.com Logo

The Pully-Rein Stop

The Trail Rider ~ May 2016 Ride Right with Julie Goodnight   To watch Julie Goodnight demonstrate how to perform the pulley-rein stop, go to TrailRiderMag.com.   The Pulley-Rein Stop
Read More
JulieGoodnight.com Logo

Q & A – How To Introduce Kids To Horses And Riding

Q: What are safe tips to introduce my kids to horses and riding? I want them to love riding but donโ€™t want to do too much too soon and end
Read More
JulieGoodnight.com Logo

Q & A – How To Make Picking Hooves Easier

Q: Sometimes when I’m picking out my horse’s hooves, she pulls it down onto the floor. If I hold it tightly, she tries to jerk it away. How can I
Read More
JulieGoodnight.com Logo

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
Read More
JulieGoodnight.com Logo

Cinching Up Just Enough – Julie Goodnight Q & A

Q: How tight should I tighten my horseโ€™s cinchโ€”and what is the right process. I donโ€™t want to hurt my horse and I want to make sure he never becomes
Read More
JulieGoodnight.com Logo

My Horse Consistently Breaks Gait From A Lope To A Jog On The Right Lead. Q & A

Q: My horse consistently breaks gait from a lope to a jog on the right lead. What may be causing this? –Haley White A: This is an interesting questionโ€”and I
Read More