Ride On with Julie Goodnight

Trail riding may look like the most relaxing thing we do with our horses, but it can also be one of the greatest tests of their training. In this episode of Ride On! with Julie Goodnight, Julie explains what it really means to have a trail-ready horse. From ground manners and emotional fitness to trail etiquette and rider judgment, she shares the skills every horse should master before heading beyond the arena.

Julie also shares updates from the ranch, including Colorado's severe drought, Rip's latest adventures, and an amusing story that perfectly illustrates how horses think—and sometimes don't think. In What the Hay?, she answers listener questions about refining cues with a sensitive horse and choosing the right tack for mountain trail riding. Whether you ride local trails or dream of exploring the high country, this episode will help you build the confidence, partnership, and preparation that make every ride safer and more enjoyable.

The Making of a Trail Horse Series:

Part 1: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/the-making-of-a-trail-horse/

Part 2: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/the-making-of-a-trail-horse-part-2/

Part 3: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/the-making-of-a-trail-horse-part-3/

Part 4: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/the-making-of-a-trail-horse-part-4/

Goodnight's Guide to Great Trail Riding Book: 

https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/goodnights-guide-to-great-trail-riding/

Speak the Language DVD or Streaming video: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/horse-behavior-dvd/ https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/behavior/

Academy Membership LINK: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/

In this episode of Ride On! with Julie Goodnight, Julie shares spring updates from the ranch, including recent expos, clinics, travel, and the latest training progress with Rip, Scotch, Tomcat, and the senior horses. Then, in Long Story Short, Julie reflects on Rip’s slow, thoughtful education and how short, positive, well-timed lessons can build a stronger foundation than rushing or drilling. The main topic explores “the art of breaking it down”—why baby steps matter in horse training, why riders often struggle to identify them, and how to build complex skills through simple, progressive steps. In What the Hay? Q&A, Julie answers listener questions about a mare who bucks at the canter and preparing horses for emergency evacuations, including sound desensitization, catchability, and trailer-readiness.

 

Horse Goals or Bust, Goal Setting worksheet    https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/horse-goals-or-bust-goal-setting/

 

GPR Vol 1, Balance & Rhythm  https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/balance-and-rhythm-full-video/

 

GPR Vol 2, Comm and Control   https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/communication-and-control-full-video/

 

Lead Line Leadership   https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/lead-line-leadership-full-video/

Goodnight Bitting System  https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/goodnight-bitting-system-package/

Bit Basics    https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/bit-basics-full-video/

 

HGOB Goal Worksheet     https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/horse-goals-or-bust-ready-set-go/

When a horse does not respond to a cue the way the rider hoped, there is a natural tendency to put the blame on the horse.

“My horse won’t canter.”
“My horse refuses to turn.”
“My horse isn’t listening.”
“My horse is being difficult.”

But in reality, the horse is simply responding to the stimulus given, in the only way he knows how. If the response is not what we wanted, the first place to look is not at the horse’s attitude, but at the clarity and consistency of the rider’s cues.

In this episode of Ride On with Julie Goodnight, Julie takes a thoughtful look at one of the most common—and misunderstood—behavior challenges horse owners face: separation stress. Why can some horses quietly leave the herd while others panic, call, rush back, or completely shut down? And why is it sometimes the horse left behind—not the horse being ridden away—that has the biggest reaction? Julie explains the difference between these two forms of separation anxiety, shares an update from the ranch, and tells a story about helping her young colt Rip build independence in small, manageable steps. Then, in What the Hay? Q&A, she answers listener questions about a mare with severe distress when left alone, a newly bonded horse, and the story behind the flags hanging in her indoor arena.

 

 

The Secret Ingredient: Managing the Herd-Bound Horse   https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/the-secret-ingredient-managing-the-herd-bound-horse/

Horsemanship Homework Calming Exercises   https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/horsemanship-homework-april-2020/

Your Horse’s Quiet Place; Teaching the head down cue   https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/your-horses-quiet-place-teaching-the-head-down-cue/

Back from the Brink:  Managing Emotional Meltdowns in horses:  https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/back-from-the-brink-managing-emotional-meltdowns-in-horses/

Saddle Fit Guide  https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/saddle-fit-guide/

Leave Julie a Google review     https://g.page/r/CSISpaMrd33aEAE/review

 

Goodnight Academy    https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/

 

Behavior video   https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/behavior/

 

Leadline Leadership  https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/lead-line-leadership-full-video/

Rethinking Traditional Horsemanship and Finding a Kinder Way Forward

Description

In this episode of Ride On with Julie Goodnight, we take a deep dive into what non-confrontational handling looks like with horses. I’ll share how guidance differs from micromanagement, and how trust, consistency, and clarity create willing partners—not resentful ones. I’ll start with some seasonal updates from the ranch, then share a powerful story about a mare named Truth Takes Time, who showed me just how far quiet leadership can go. Finally, we’ll wrap up with listener questions on managing ulcers, working through disagreements with your trainer, and a question about one of the important tenets of Classical Horsemanship.

 

Desensitizing with Advance & Retreat  -

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/managing-fearful-behavior-in-horses/

 

Clear cues/sequencing cues/cue clarity  -

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/small-steps-to-big-achievements/

Calming exercises: 3-step circling and lateral flexion/changes of direction  -

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/horsemanship-homework-april-2020/

Goodnight's Principles of Riding #1 Balance & Rhythm - https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/balance-and-rhythm-full-video/   

Goodnight's Principles of Riding #2 Communication & Control -

https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/communication-and-control-full-video/

Julie Goodnight’s Events Schedule:

https://juliegoodnight.com/events-2/

 

 Sign up for Julie’s Newsletter:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/wishlist-member-3/?reg=1392669509

 

Ride On with Julie Goodnight Podcast:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/audios/ride-on-podcast/

 

Email Questions for Julie’s Q&A section of her podcast:

podcast@juliegoodnight.com

 

 Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/juliegoodnight

 

Leave Julie a Google Review:

https://g.page/r/CSISpaMrd33aEBI/review