Ride On with Julie Goodnight

In this episode, I talk about the clothing and gear to choose to set yourself and your horse up for success—dressing for success, so to speak—no matter what your goals look like. I’ll talk about functional rider apparel, your horse’s attire and accessories and safety considerations. I'll also give you some tips to keep both you and your horse comfortable as you tackle the upcoming riding season.

Then in my "What the Hay? Q&A" segme...

In this episode, I talk about assessing your skills as a rider, what to consider in the Rider Skill Assessment worksheet, and how to interpret your results. I’ll share some awesome resources to help you evaluate your horse’s  skills and develop a training plan to get you where you need to go with your horse.

Then, in my "What the Hay? Q&A" segment I’ll answer questions from listeners about a horse that shows displays of aggression ...

This month is all about getting in shape & making a conditioning plan to reach your goal! I talked about rider fitness in my blog this month, which I will touch on, but in this episode we’ll focus on the horse. I’ll walk you through evaluating your horse’s current fitness level, and how to develop the right conditioning plan to help your horse get stronger, prevent injury, and perform better.

Show Notes:

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In this episode, we’re continuing with step #2 of my “Horse Goals or Bust!” series. Last month, we reflected on the past year⁠—what worked, what didn’t, what we wish we did more of, and less of—and we used those revelations to brainstorm new goals for this year. This time, let’s talk about finalizing those goals and how we make a plan to get you where you want to be with your horse, nine months from now! 

I'll share the stories o...

I love New Year’s and all that it represents—ushering out the old, ringing in the new. I’m not much of a partier on New Year's Eve, but I AM at a stage of life where each year is precious to me, and making the most of my life takes on greater significance.

I’ve always been serious about planning my time and making new years resolutions, and this year I’m bringing you on this journey with me!

Next month, we’re starting a nine month ...

In this episode, we'll talk about professional training for you and your horse. I’ll cover why you might need a trainer and how you should expect to benefit from it. Then, I’ll get deep into the weeds of how to find the right trainer for your horse, what type of trainer you should look for, how to know if you’ve found the right match, and how much in time and money this is going to cost you.

Finally, I’ll share some caveats about...

In this episode of my podcast, you’ll meet my dear friend "T" Cody. We’ve worked together off and on for the last 25 years since we first met at a horsemanship clinic at The Home Ranch in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

We’ll talk about our fabulous trip to Ireland for two weeks of clinics and riding the Wild Atlantic Coast—the horses we rode, where we rode, what we did, and what we learned about the amazing people and horses in...

In this episode, I’ll talk about raising baby horses to be solid, reliable adults, discuss some do’s and don’ts, and the most common mistakes people make with young horses. I'll also go into what you should and should not do when it comes to training weanlings, foals and yearlings—and why. Finally, I'll share how you can create the ideal environment for young horses, and give them the enrichment they need to start life out on the r...

In this episode, I’ll discuss what we mean by saying a rider has "good hands." I'll talk about hand position, feel, common mistakes, what horses hate that riders do, and what riders can do to improve their communication with their horse. 

Plus, in the What the Hay? Q&A segment at the end of this show, I’ll answer questions from listeners about how to teach a horse to neck rein and dealing with emotional horses.

Want your questi...

In this episode of my podcast, I’ll talk about tricks of the trade I’ve learned throughout my career, about horse grooming and how to get a “bloom” on your horse. I’ll specifically—and separately—address the mane & tail, haircoat, face, and legs. We’ll talk about best practices for keeping your horse comfortable in the hot summer months and glowing with health year-round.

Plus, in the What the Hay? Q&A segment at the end of this ...

Whether it’s the main goal or a stepping stone on the way, a clinic of any kind is a big investment of time, money and energy. In this episode, I’ll talk about different types of clinics, how to know if you are ready to attend a clinic, and how to find the right clinic or clinician for you and your horse. I’ll cover how to get ready for the big event, what to expect when you get there, and how to keep a positive mindset throughout ...

A horse is always learning—for better or for worse. The more you understand how horses learn and how this shapes their behavior, the more effective training is, the more responsive the horse is, and the more cohesive the horse-human relationship is.

Plus, in the popular “What the Hay?” segment at the end of the episode, I’ll answer questions from listeners about a young horse with bad trailer loading experiences, a mustang with t...

Today’s topic is about the importance of establishing boundaries—in our personal lives, our family lives, and yes, even with our horses. I’ll talk about why establishing boundaries with horses is important for your own safety and the safety of those around your horse, and how clear and consistent boundaries lead to developing a strong bond of trust with your horse.

This episode is about how to help your "cinchy" horse. This is a horse that's become emotionally reactive to the tightening of the cinch or girth when saddling, and who may act out with dramatic behaviors anywhere from biting to kicking or worse. I'll discuss what "cinchy" behavior is, what causes it and how to find solutions for a happier horse. Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email podcast@juliegoodnight.com

Episod...

This episode's topic came straight from one of our listeners! Horses are truly individuals—each with their own tendencies, quirks and idiosyncrasies (just like people). Still, there are certain characteristics that some horses share, there are types of horses which is important to understand, and there are behavioral tendencies that can be genetic or learned.

Want your question answered in What the Hay...

Every now and then, we get such a backlog of really great questions from our listeners that we devote an entire episode to answering as many questions as we can. This month, you get a full hour of What the Hay? Q&A, with topics ranging from how to handle displays of aggression, to motivating lazy horses to respond, and controlling the speed of faster horses.

Want your ques...

• The 2021 progra...