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 -

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

Clear cues/sequencing cues/cue clarity -

1. 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 -

1. 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

Have you ever asked your horse to do something—and got a big, resounding “NO”? Maybe they planted their feet, balked at the trailer, or just shut down. It’s frustrating, even scary at times.

In this month’s episode of Ride On with Julie Goodnight, we’re tackling one of the most misunderstood behaviors in horses: refusal—and what it really means.

Show Notes:

Julie Goodnight’s Blog Archives:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/julie-blog/

Fear and Refusal:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/rearing-to-go/

See Julie’s Top Level Membership here:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/interactive-membership-benefits/

Julie’s Shop:

https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/

Rope Sale:

https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/25-off-colorful-rope-product-while-supplies-last/

For our podcast listeners: Use the promo code TIEDUP10 at checkout to get 10% off all training tools and rope products in our store!

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

In this episode, we’ll kick things off with a crisp fall update from the ranch, then I’ll share a story from my days galloping racehorses—an experience that taught me a lot about how to handle speed in the saddle.

Our main topic this month is adapted from one of my live presentations called The Need for Speed—all about helping riders advance their skills so they can ride safely and confidently at higher speeds.

And finally, we’ll wrap up with our What the Hay? Q&A segment, where I’ll answer your questions about a mare’s emotional recovery after her rider falls off, how to master the sitting trot,

and how to handle the tough situation of an older horse showing signs of lameness.

Show Notes:

Show Notes:

Julie Goodnight’s Balance Exercise:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/may-blog-2025/

Pulley Rein Stop (Runaway Horse):

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/october-2024-blog/

Sit the trot/Balance Exercise:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/sitting-the-trot/

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/videos/video-training-tips/daily-dose-of-horsemanship-homework-balance-exercise-raggedy-ann/

Julie’s Shop:

https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/

For our podcast listeners: Use the promo code RIDEON at checkout to get 10% off anything in my shop

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

In this episode, we’ll kick things off with an update from my ranch, I’ll share a story about one of the best horses I’ve ever owned — and the unexpected lesson I learned through her — and then we’ll dive deep into a crucial horsemanship topic: deciding whether or not to let someone else ride your horse. It’s a common question, and *spoiler alert* There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but this month we’ll explore the pros, cons, and everything in between, on this topic.

And at the end of the show, I’ll answer some excellent listener questions in our expanded What the Hay? Q&A segment — covering everything from clicker training without hand feeding, to physical fitness for older riders, to herd behavior, trailering challenges, bit selection, and more.

Show Notes:

Julie Goodnight’s Blog Archives:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/julie-blog/

Special Highlight Blog:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/should-i-let-someone-else-ride-my-horse/

See Julie’s Top Level Membership here:

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/interactive-membership-benefits/

Julie’s Shop:

https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/

For our podcast listeners: Use the promo code TIEDUP10 at checkout to get 10% off all training tools and rope products in our store!

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