Why Horses Say No: Reading the Signs Before You React

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: [email protected]    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: [email protected]  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: [email protected]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliegoodnight Leave Julie a Google Review: https://g.page/r/CSISpaMrd33aEBI/review  

In this episode of Ride on with Julie Goodnight, she shares her secrets for teaching a horse to stand tied patiently, with consideration for the horse's perspective.  SHOW NOTES: Julie Goodnight’s Blog Archives:   https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/julie-blog/   See Julie’s Top Level Membership here: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/interactive-membership-benefits/   Julie’s Shop: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/   Rope Halter & Lead: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/packaged-premium-marine-rope-lead-halter-with-accent-noseband/   Safe Clip: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/slow-release-clip/ 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: [email protected]    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliegoodnight   Leave Julie a Google Review: https://g.page/r/CSISpaMrd33aEBI/review  

Today’s podcast is on a subject that many riders ask about, "How to get started in Dressage." I decided to use "entry-level dressage," for both English and Western riders, as the first long-term goal and set of lesson plans in my new training app. This big goal can be broken down into almost an infinite number of small steps, lessons, or skills to master, which I'll share in this podcast!   Show Notes: Do You have a Codependent Relationship with your Horse: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/do-you-have-a-codependent-relationship-with-your-horse/ Smooth Transitions: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/small-steps-to-big-achievements/ Good on Trail: Bad in the Arena (requires login): https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/issues-from-the-saddle-good-on-trail-bad-in-the-arena/ Proactive Riding-Taking the Driver’s Seat (requires login): https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/proactive-riding-take-the-drivers-seat/ Every Arena has a scary place (requires login): https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/issues-from-the-saddle-spooky-horse/ Private Lesson Audio by Julie Goodnight: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/audio-lesson-series/ Julie Goodnight’s 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/ SM & Website Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/juliegoodnight?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadxLNGo2hMyYpMYsoq0HQS8fAiCnZ_WNwhmYrvoyOMX_j8eO8n9V_6LTXun4Q_aem_WQsRTNGUSc8JXwSUnCyEtw See Julie’s Top Level Membership here: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/interactive-membership-benefits/ Email Questions for Julie’s Q&A section of her podcast: [email protected]  Leave Julie a Google Review: https://g.page/r/CSISpaMrd33aEBI/review  

In this episode of RideOn, I’ll talk about building your confidence with horses. It’s a huge subject that affects equestrians of all ages and ability levels, and I know you’ll find some helpful tips. And in “What the Hay? Q&A” at the end of this episode, we have questions from listeners about a hard-to-catch horse, ground manners for a young filly, how to correct a mare that pins her ears, PLUS I’ll answer the burning question: why does my horse always roll after I bathe him? Show Notes: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/horse-goals-or-bust-goal-setting/ See Julie’s Top Level Membership here: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/interactive-membership-benefits/   Julie Goodnight’s 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: [email protected]   https://www.facebook.com/juliegoodnight Leave Julie a Google Review: https://g.page/r/CSISpaMrd33aEBI/review  

Horses are social animals with a strong herd instinct, and different rules apply when humans are involved. I teach what I call the “no fraternizing” rule at the beginning of all my clinics and here it is: When in the presence of humans, when being handled, led, tied, or ridden, a horse should not interact with, fraternize with, or make any displays of herd behavior toward another horse. Show Notes: Julie Goodnight Horsemanship Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/juliegoodnight Julie Goodnight’s Schedule: https://juliegoodnight.com/events-2/ Sign up for Julie’s Newsletter: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/wishlist-member-3/?reg=1392669509 Contact Us: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/contact-us/ Submit your question to Julie for answering in the What the Hay Q&A: [email protected] Instinctive Behavior: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/horse-behavior-horses-instincts/ No Fraternizing Rule: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/the-making-of-a-trail-horse-part-3/ Raise Your Foal Right: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/raise-your-foal-right/ Focus on Me/Focus on Nothing: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/back-from-the-brink-managing-emotional-meltdowns-in-horses/ Reinforcement or Correction: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/the-dish-on-discipline/   https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/guest-blog-my-top-3-lessons-from-the-julie-goodnight-yoga-riding-retreat/   Training & Continuing Education Resources: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/lead-line-leadership-full-video/ https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/behavior/   Ground Manners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7jXrDt6vVg&list=PLlJpbEbtHKYrmKbJMz8AraYSJAu7bDZq Ground Manners: Leadline Boundaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeR43GKXmQI&t=1533s Ground Manners, Establishing Boundaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQjaYTNs6fE&t=73s Julie Goodnight: Clip from show 719 Norwegian Feud (Fjord Horse with Poor Ground Manners): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlLvPnP6e2Y&t=159s Julie Goodnight: Live from a clinic; reinforce a cue within three seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6maBtgKG6Y Bits: Myler Combination bit with a 33 mouthpiece:         https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-33-combination-myler-bit/ Myler MB-33-HBT-Short Shank: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-33-hbt-myler/ Google Review Link: https://g.page/r/CSISpaMrd33aEBI/review

For years, I’ve been sharing my insights on horsemanship, helping riders like you build better relationships with your horses and reach your full potential in the saddle. And one of the most powerful tools I’ve found in this journey is the simple yet profound act of setting goals.  Show Notes: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/horse-goals-or-bust-goal-setting/ https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/making-time-for-horses/ https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/?s=Horse+Goals+or+Bust https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/interactive-membership-benefits/ https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/fun-games-and-exercises/ https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/april-blog-2025/    

We do our annual vet exams, vaccinations, and dental care every Spring. Just as we prioritize annual check-ups for ourselves, a yearly wellness exam by an equine veterinarian is paramount for maintaining your horse's health.   Annual Horse Health Maintenance Checklist: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/annual-horse-health-maintenance-checklist/ Issues From The Ground: Ground Manners For The Veterinary Visit https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/issues-from-the-ground-ground-manners-for-the-veterinary-visit/   First Aid Kit: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/first-aid/   Ground Work: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/lead-line-leadership-full-video/   Stand Still: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/stand-statue-still/   Training: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/head-down-cue/   How to (and How Not to) Handle Your Horse’s Feet (Video): https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/videos/video-training-tips/how-to-and-how-not-to-handle-your-horses-feet/ Free   How to Get a 5-Star Rating From Your Farrier: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/how-to-get-a-5-star-rating-from-your-farrier/   Desensitizing Lesson with Truth (Video): https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/videos/video-training-tips/desensitizing-lesson-with-truth/   Issues From The Ground: Desensitizing To Touch In Sensitive Areas: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/issues-from-the-ground-desensitizing-to-touch-in-sensitive-areas/   Vaccine: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/safety-concerns-administering-vaccines/   Fecal Egg Count Kits/Info.: https://horsemenslab.com/faq.html Silver Honey Wound Spray: https://absorbine.com/products/silver-honey-combo-pack?variant=39493392990369 Cosequin Equine: https://www.cosequin.com/horses/julie-goodnight-chooses-cosequin-asu-joint-hoof-pellets/? utm_source=Cosequin&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Julie_endorsement

Description: In this episode of Ride On, I’ll focus on how you know if your horse needs a new bit, how we evaluate a horse for the right bit, and understanding the impact of a well-chosen bit.  And in “What the Hay? Q&A” at the end of this episode, we have questions from listeners about ground manners for senior horses, tips for riding the trot for riders with tight hips, and what saddle pads work best on high withered horses.   Rip’s First Trailer Ride Video posted on Julie Goodnight Horsemanship FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/juliegoodnight   Julie Goodnight’s Schedule: https://juliegoodnight.com/events-2/   Sign up for Julie’s Newsletter: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/wishlist-member-3/?reg=1392669509   Myler Three Ring Combination Bit: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-04-combination-with-rawhide-noseband-myler-bit/   Myler Bits Julie likes in her shop: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product-category/tack-room/bits-bridles-reins/bits/   Dale Myler teaches at Julie’s barn: https://juliegoodnight.com/myler-bits/   Myler 36 Mouthpiece: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-36-flat-shank-myler-copy/ https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-36-combination-myler-bit/ https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-36-eggbutt-with-hooks-myler-bit/ https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-36-hbt-myler-bit/   Myler 04 Mouthpiece: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-04-hbt-myler-bit/ https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/mb-04-eggbutt-with-hooks-myler-bit/ Ride On with Julie Goodnight Podcast: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/audios/ride-on-podcast/   February 2025 Blog on Bits: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/goodnight-news-bit-overview/   Evidence-based Horsemanship, Dr. Stephen Peters & Martin Black, Wasteland Press, 2018   Signs a horse needs a new bit: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/my-horse-is-tossing-and-shaking-his-head/ https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/tongue-trouble/   Tongue Relief: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/issues-from-the-saddle-tongue-over-bit/?_rt=MnwxfHRvbmd1ZSByZWxpZWZ8MTc0MTI5MTk1OA&_rt_nonce=e768fd55ec   Bit Wizzard: http://www.mylerbits.com/bitting_assistant.php   Rider Skill Assessment: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/rider-skill-assessment-training-plan/   Email Questions for Julie’s Q&A section of her podcast: [email protected]   Leave Julie a Google Review: https://g.page/r/CSISpaMrd33aEBI/review