Find the Holes: How to Evaluate A Horse’s Training

Today I'll be talking with my good friend and assistant trainer, “T” Cody, about the new revolution in horsemanship that's currently taking place. We'll take a glance back at the history of horsemanship, and how the recreational horse flourished in the mid 1900s. Then we’ll talk about the impacts⁠—both good and bad⁠—that natural horsemanship has had, and what we have to look forward to now.   In my new segment. Long Story Short, I'll tell you about the riding instructors who had an early influence on my riding career. And in What the Hay? Q&A, I'll answer your questions about a 9-year-old horse with sudden trailer anxiety, the mechanics of treeless saddles, and keeping horses barefoot year-round when you trail ride in the Rocky Mountains.

On this episode, I’m excited to have a very special guest on the show⁠—equestrian fitness and wellness coach, Ifa Simmonds! We'll talk about fitness specific to riders, the importance of your overall well-being,confidence, and how to kickstart your personal fitness journey. Plus, Ifa will share his advice for what we can do—starting RIGHT NOW, in the off-season—to prepare to meet your riding goals this year. I'll also be sharing one of my many stories from the early days of my horse training career in my brand my new segment, "Long Story Short." This time, I'll tell you a story about a huge turning point for me at a clinic I was teaching decades ago. It was so impactful (a lightbulb moment so-to-speak) that it opened a huge door for furthering my understanding of horse behavior, and more importantly, the interaction between horses and their riders. And in my “What the Hay? Q&A” at the end of the episode, I’ll answer questions from listeners about coming back to horse sports after a 10-year break, a rider who’s polluting her mind with negative thoughts, and whether or not you should post on a gaited horse. Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email [email protected]   Show Notes & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Find More About Ifa Simmonds: Ifa's Website, Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA) & EFA Ultimate ifafit.com Instagram: @ifa.fit Facebook: Ifa Simmonds & IFA FIT Equestrian   Julie’s upcoming events: Juliegoodnight.com/events Online coaching, memberships, and short courses: JulieGoodnight.com/join Go to Juliegoodnight.com/news to sign up for Julie’s newsletter

In this episode, I'll talk about teaching a horse to calm down and focus. I teach horses within just a few minutes of training not to look around excessively, and (you've probably heard this a lot!) to “focus on me or focus on nothing.” But why is this important? What's the big deal with letting your horse look around?   Horses that are looking excessively are either frantically searching for something to be afraid of, or they are looking for the exit—and have no intention of staying here with you. I'll go over two simple ground manners to teach your horse that will help keep you safe (especially when things go sideways), and can help an anxious or spooky horse become calm and able to focus on me.   But before we get to all of that, I’m excited to officially introduce a brand new segment to the podcast called "Long Story Short." I'll kick off each episode by telling you one of my many stories from the early days of my horse training career. Some funny or amusing, others with touches of excitement or inspiration—all have hard-won lessons everyone can benefit from.   And in the “What the Hay? Q&A” segment, I’ll answer questions from listeners about about etiquette for correcting bad behavior in someone else’s horse, if horses move into pressure or away from pressure, and about restarting an older horse. Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email [email protected]

What causes a 3-year-old colt to freeze under the slightest amount of pressure? I've invited renowned equine behaviorist, Dr. Kate Fenner, to talk about what can cause a horse to "shut down" (and how it's more common than you might think!). We'll also talk about how to help the horse recover, prevention, and what her research has revealed to help improve training methods for horses.   But first... I have an exciting surprise announcement that's happening right now at my ranch—and believe me when I say that no one was more surprised than me!   And in the “What the Hay? Q&A” segment, my friend and assistant trainer, T. Cody, joins me to ask a question about a horse recently that left his rider in the dirt. Plus, I’ll answer a question from a rider whose horse unexpectedly lays down and rolls—with her in the saddle!   Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email [email protected]   Show Notes & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ·· There are a few spots left in my Horsemanship Immersion clinic at C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, CO! Get more info here: https://www.clazyu.com/special-event/julie-goodnights-horsemanship-immersion ·· Certified Horsemanship Association International Conference: https://cha.horse/international-conference ·· Equine Affaire, Massachusetts: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts   Resources Mentioned in the Episode: ·· Dr. Fenner’s Website, Kandoo Equine & her free 30 day video training series: https://www.kandooequine.com ·· E-BarQ - Citizen science project: https://e-barq.com ·· Shutdown Resources: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/tag/when-horses-shut-down

In this episode, I’m going to help you answer the question, “Should you let someone else ride your horse?” I’ll tell you a story from early on in my horse training career that is, to this day, one of the most powerful lessons I’ve ever learned. Then we’ll dive into some pros and cons, the value of having different people ride a horse, and the benefits for a rider to get on different horses. I’ll also share my advice for what to consider before you decide, and your responsibilities when you let someone ride your horse. There’s a lot to think about!   And in the “What the Hay? Q&A” segment, I’ll answer questions from listeners about how to find the right saddle fit for a saddle-phobic horse, and a horse owner who wants to take off and travel the world⁠—without losing the years of hard work he’s done with his horse.   Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email [email protected]   Show Notes & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ·· The new brushes I just tried out (They’ve got Annie’s seal of approval!): https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product-tag/julies-favorite-brushes ·· Join my 5-lb Challenge Facebook Group here: https://facebook.com/groups/goodnightchallenge   Events Coming Up: ·· There are a few spots left in my Horsemanship Immersion clinic at C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, CO! Get more info here: https://www.clazyu.com/special-event/julie-goodnights-horsemanship-immersion ·· Certified Horsemanship Association International Conference: https://cha.horse/international-conference ·· Equine Affaire, Massachusetts: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts   Resources Mentioned in the Episode: ·· Resources for “Cinchy” Horses: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/tag/cinchy ·· Resources for Desensitizing/Advance & Retreat: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/tag/advance-retreat

Last month, I shared five important tips for you to get the most from your horse and help you feel more prepared to achieve your horsemanship goals.   This month,  let’s talk about strategies to manage anxiety, in both horse & rider, how to boost your confidence & perform at your best on the day of your event⁠—whatever that is. I’ll also share some specific tools and exercises that you can do with your horse to stay focused and calm, perform at your best, and how to get back on track when things go wrong.   Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email [email protected]   Show Notes & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Get everything you need—podcast episodes, blog posts, worksheets and supportive communities—to start your own Horse Goals or Bust! journey: JulieGoodnight.com/horsegoals Follow Annie's Story: JulieGoodnight.com/horsereport Julie’s upcoming events: Juliegoodnight.com/events Online coaching, memberships, and short courses: JulieGoodnight.com/join Go to Juliegoodnight.com/news to sign up for Julie’s newsletter

We are now 7 months into Horse Goals or Bust—setting goals and planning, training, practicing, and preparing for them. It’s prime riding season in most areas, so now is the time to put our plans for all the activities we’ve been planning into action. For some of you, that may mean going to a clinic, a competition, or hitting the trail. Or you might be more focused on bonding with a new horse, regaining your mojo after an incident, or accomplishing a singular feat with your horse.  Throughout this process I’ve been reminded of the many lessons I have learned throughout my career with horses. Today, I’ll share some of the most important lessons I’ve learned to help you make the most of your equestrian endeavors. And in the "What the Hay? Q&A" segment at the end of this podcast, I’ll answer questions from listeners about teaching an old horse a new behavior, a mother and daughter who have different boundaries with their horses, and a horse that gets anxious and reactive in a particular setting.   Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email [email protected]   Show Notes & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Get everything you need—podcast episodes, blog posts, worksheets and supportive communities—to start your own Horse Goals or Bust! journey: JulieGoodnight.com/horsegoals Follow Annie's Story: JulieGoodnight.com/horsereport Julie’s upcoming events: Juliegoodnight.com/events Online coaching, memberships, and short courses: JulieGoodnight.com/join Go to Juliegoodnight.com/news to sign up for Julie’s newsletter Resources from the Episode: Consistency Counts article: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/consistency-counts Stages of Learning: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/slower-is-faster-with-horses Managing Fearful Behavior in Horses: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/managing-fearful-behavior-in-horses Resources to Calm Your Horse: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/tag/calm-your-horse  Think Forward: Ride Yourself Out of Rough Spots article: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/think-forward-ride-yourself-out-of-rough-spots  Stages Of Life Part 3: The Senior Citizens: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/julies-blog/keeping-your-horse-healthy-through-the-stages-of-life-part-3-the-senior-citizens Julie's Online Coaching Program: JulieGoodnight.com/Coach Golden Moments Video: https://www.facebook.com/juliegoodnight/videos/679868616684014 

I've been traveling non-stop, and I'm still on the road, which makes it hard to find time to record the podcast. So for this month, we’ve chosen an episode that we think will be really useful to you as you continue to work toward your goals⁠. We’ll be back next month with a brand new episode in the "Horse Goals or Bust" series!   This episode is about how to deal with training setbacks with your horse. We've all been there at one point or another when things don’t go according to plan. The horse that normally walks right into a trailer suddenly refuses to load. Or a frightening incident overwhelmed your normally unflappable horse, and broke down his confidence.   It’s unreasonable to think that in the long-term training of a horse (which takes place over years and decades) everything would always go perfectly. Neither human nor equine are robots, and stuff happens! In this episode, we'll focus on what to do after the setback, how to analyze the situation, dissect what went wrong, and be proactive in developing a plan to get your horse back on track.   Plus, we'll revisit some listener questions in my "What the Hay? Q&A" segment.

In this episode, I talk about the clothing and gear to choose to set yourself and your horse up for success—dressing for success, so to speak—no matter what your goals look like. I’ll talk about functional rider apparel, your horse’s attire and accessories and safety considerations. I'll also give you some tips to keep both you and your horse comfortable as you tackle the upcoming riding season. Then in my "What the Hay? Q&A" segment, I’ll answer questions from listeners about ear plugs for horses, and a fearful mustang mare who has mastered the skill of rip and run. Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email [email protected]   Show Notes & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Get everything you need—podcast episodes, blog posts, worksheets and supportive communities—to start your own Horse Goals or Bust! journey: JulieGoodnight.com/horsegoals Follow Annie's Story: JulieGoodnight.com/horsereport Julie’s upcoming events: Juliegoodnight.com/events Online coaching, memberships, and short courses: JulieGoodnight.com/join Go to Juliegoodnight.com/news to sign up for Julie’s newsletter   Resources from the Episode: Loop Reins & Split Reins: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product-category/tack-room/bits-bridles-reins/reins Ultrashield Fly Sprays: https://absorbine.com/collections/fly-control Lead Line Leadership Video: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product-tag/lead-line-leadership Rip & Run Podcast Episode: https://juliegoodnight.podbean.com/e/horses-that-rip-run  

In this episode, I talk about assessing your skills as a rider, what to consider in the Rider Skill Assessment worksheet, and how to interpret your results. I’ll share some awesome resources to help you evaluate your horse’s  skills and develop a training plan to get you where you need to go with your horse. Then, in my "What the Hay? Q&A" segment I’ll answer questions from listeners about a horse that shows displays of aggression at feedtime, how to correct a horse for kicking at another horse on a ride, and how to find the right Western cinch for your horse. Want your question answered in What the Hay? Email [email protected]   Show Notes & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Get everything you need—podcast episodes, blog posts, worksheets and supportive communities—to start your own Horse Goals or Bust! journey: JulieGoodnight.com/horsegoals Follow Annie's Story: JulieGoodnight.com/horsereport Julie’s upcoming events: Juliegoodnight.com/events Online coaching, memberships, and short courses: JulieGoodnight.com/join Go to Juliegoodnight.com/news to sign up for Julie’s newsletter April 2022 Podcast Episode, Finding the Holes in Your Horse’s Training: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/plugging-the-holes-in-your-horses-training “What is Your Horse's Training Level?” Quiz: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/quiz-whats-your-horses-training-level November 2022 Blog, Finding the Right Horse Trainer: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/what-does-it-mean-to-have-realistic-training-expectations Dictionary Of Equine Terms: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/dictionary-of-equine-terms Gain Confidence with Horses Short Course: https://shop.juliegoodnight.com/product/confidence-short-course E-BARQ Survey: https://e-barq.com (and don't forget to joining my group GOODNIGHT TRAINING, code GJU9721) Feed-Time Aggression Resources: https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/tag/feed-time-aggression