Julie Goodnight's Blog (28)

Helping a Horse that Pulls on the Bit

Hi Julie
I have been riding for eight months at a stable and am taking classes once-twice a week as well as clinics. I bought a horse from the stables I go to; he is a twelve year old Arab and a very forgiving horse but in the last two months he has started to pull on the bit. I am finding this very, very frustrating. My teacher is a very good trainer as well as a teacher. Just this weekend… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on July 30, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

Does Your Horse’s Bit Fit Properly?

Does Your Horse’s Bit Fit Properly? Dear Julie, How do you know when a bit is properly sitting in the horse’s mouth? We have always heard that you look at the "wrinkles". However, this can be confusing to us. Thank you, Devonna Devonna, This is a confusing issue to lots of people and one that almost always comes up in my clinics. It’s an old-fashioned concept to say that the bit fits correctly when you see one or two wrinkles in the horse’s lips. In fact, the height of the bit in the horse’s… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on July 16, 2010 at 9:51am — No Comments

Stop losing your stirrup when you canter

Hi Julie, I have constantly found that I am loosing the left stirrup when I canter. In various readings it suggests that I am collapsing on my left, hence loosing the stirrup. I tried to stretch my left side when cantering and found this was helpful. Can you give me any suggestions on how to work with this issue, perhaps exercises or things to do while riding that would help with this problem? Thanks again, I enjoy your advice. Nanc Hi Nanc, It is odd that you would just lose the left stirrup,… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on July 3, 2010 at 7:59am — 1 Comment

De-spooking Your Horse

De-spooking Your Horse I have a 4 year old Belgian that I ride. He is pretty solid, but as a young horse he does spook occasionally. I have been trying you method of leading him up to a scary object a step at a time and it works very well (especially with the horse eating manure spreader!). My question is, if he spooks and wheels out away from me do I just continue on with what I'm doing as if nothing happened or should I stop and try to calm him down and back him up to a safe spot? He has some… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on June 18, 2010 at 9:50am — 1 Comment

Groundwork and Discipline

Hi,

My horse, Rufus (an 8-year-old large pony trained by my 14-year-old

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on June 4, 2010 at 8:01am — No Comments

Bit for Western Pleasure

Dear Julie, I am currently schooling and riding in a D-ring snaffle bit. I want to start training for Western Pleasure. What kind of shank bit do you recommend for the transition? Thanks, Kim Kim, In most rule books, horses six years old and up are required to show Western in a curb bit. Horses five and under can be ridden two-handed in a snaffle. As the horse advances in his training and you are doing more advanced stuff, your horse will probably work better in the curb, provided you find the… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on May 21, 2010 at 2:48pm — 1 Comment

Tips To Slow Your Horse Down and Keep Him Steady in His Gaits

Hello

Just wondering if you could give me some advice. My horse, a six year old mustang had been trained for about ten months. He stops, turns fine, but I cannot get him to slow down. Of course then I get nervous an

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on May 7, 2010 at 9:00am — No Comments

How to Stop a Horse When He's Running Backwards

I was trail riding over the weekend, and my horse took a dislike to the horse behind him. I saw the symptoms (making faces) and tried to get his attention on me, but he would have none of it! That awful equine behind him clearly needed to be taught a lesson (he must have been several feet back). So my horse (an appaloosa) RAN backwards!

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on April 30, 2010 at 10:30am — No Comments

Is Your Upper Body in the Proper Position?

How should my upper body be as I ride?

Much focus

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on April 16, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Keeping Your Horse From Putting His Tongue Over the Bit

Dear Julie,

The question I have is for the Mountain Pleasure horse I bought about six months ago. He is a big sweetie, I love him dearly he has very nice manners and lunges well. The problem I'm having is the first time I rode him before I bought him, the people I bought him from used a headstall that was to big and he got the bit under his tongue I don't know and can't find out if he did this before then, but now it continues to be a pro

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on April 2, 2010 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

Are you "over-cueing" for the canter?

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on March 19, 2010 at 10:30am — 2 Comments

Are Horses Left or Right Brain Dominant?

Hi there Julie,

The question - it is kind of in depth, but since you

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on March 5, 2010 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Tips For Keeping Your Stallion Well Mannered

Dear Julie,

I am buying a 3 month old colt that I would like t

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on February 19, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

Ensuring the Proper Release With Your Canter Aid

… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on February 5, 2010 at 10:30am — No Comments

Improving Your Position

What's the best way to improve my riding position? We have talked in previous posts about the importance of a balanced position with ear-shoulder-hip-heel alignment and open and relaxed joints that allow the rhythm of the horse to flow through the rider. Proper position unites the balance of horse and rider, giving the picture of a team moving as one. If I were to guess at the single most common equitation error I see, what immediately springs to mind is the rider that is braced on the s… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on January 22, 2010 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

How To Properly Use Spurs

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. It is hard for me to picture how to not have the spur contact the horse, especially in the most forward position when cueing with one's leg. In general, should leg cues be given with the inside of the calf to avoid hitting the horse with the spur rather than turning the heel inward? Thanks, Casey Mariposa CA Casey, Thank you for you… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on January 8, 2010 at 10:37am — 2 Comments

Understanding the Truth About Bits

Dear Julie, My question to you is what is your opinion of Myler bits? I came across a book recently that talked about the Myler comfort snaffle. I was surprised to learn that not all snaffles are exactly what they are supposed to be. The reason I'm asking is my horse Montana is in a D-ring snaffle. I have noticed at times him pulling the reins and opening his mouth. Even when I put him in the round pen with saddle and head stall on he does the same thing and I'm not even on him. It seems to m… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on December 25, 2009 at 5:00pm — 1 Comment

How to Become a Professional Horse Trainer

Dear Julie: I have a 13 year old daughter who has been in 4H Pony Club since she was eight years old. She has become a great rider and is interested in learning how to become a professional rider of reining, cutting...or any western type horses in shows. What kind of advice would you give her as far as working towards that goal? She dreams of making it into the NRHA Reiner publications someday. She is also interested in becoming a clinician and has already begun training young horses with nat… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on December 11, 2009 at 10:25am — No Comments

Gain Your Horse's Respect and Become the "Leader"

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. Cheyenne is a very sweet and gentle horse and a tad bit on the lazy side. I would like to find out information or suggestions on how to teach my daughter to win her horse's respect and have him respond to her commands. When she asks him to walk he refuses. He cocks his back leg and stands there no matter what she… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on November 27, 2009 at 8:30am — 1 Comment

Choosing the Right Coach for Your Child

I am the parent of an 11-year-old girl who is serious about horses. She's been riding for 5 years in California, and we just moved to Michigan. For two months now, I've been looking for a good stable and instructor. Her former teacher in CA was CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) certified. Should I be limited to finding a CHA certified instructor? What other questions should I be asking to insure her safety with a new instructor? My daughter is riding English with focus on Eventing. I'v… Continue

Added by Julie Goodnight on November 13, 2009 at 10:25am — No Comments

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