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