Ride On with Julie Goodnight
Episodes
Understanding Separation Stress in Horses: Herd Bound, Barn Sour, or Just Social?
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Ride On with Julie Goodnight, Julie takes a thoughtful look at one of the most common—and misunderstood—behavior challenges hor...
From Conflict to Connection: How Horses Learn to Say Yes
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rethinking Traditional Horsemanship and Finding a Kinder Way Forward Description In this episode of Ride On with Julie Goodnight, we take a deep dive ...
Why Horses Say No: Reading the Signs Before You React
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 shu...
The Need For Speed
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 exp...
Should I Let Someone Else Ride My Horse
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Training to Tie-Keep it safe and stress free
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Classical Riding-Your Roadmap to Success!
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Engl...
Building Your Confidence with Horses
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 abil...
"No Fraternizing" Rule
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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”...
Blogpost: April 2025, Goals and Confidence
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For years, I’ve been sharing my insights on horsemanship, helping riders like you build better relationships with your horses and reach your full po...
Blogpost: Proactive Horse Care: Your Annual Health Checklist
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
The Right Bit
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 un...
Blogpost: Rip's Early Training, a Young Colt's Journey
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rip, Annie’s colt, is nine months old, but technically a yearling. He’s basically a learning machine with the whole world at his hooves. He loves ...
Blogpost: Bit Overview
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bit selection considerably impacts horse training, comfort, and performance across all disciplines Show Notes for February Blog Post 2025: Bit Over...
Illusive Concepts that Affect Saddle Fit
01 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this newest episode of my podcast, I discuss different saddles, how they are constructed, and the pros and cons of rigid trees, flexible trees, tre...
Blogpost: Perfecting Saddle Fit Skills
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Analyzing traffic to our website and the direct questions we get from you, the end-user, we see significant interest in tack and equipment and its app...
Riding without the Reins-Podcast
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Podcast Show notes for Ride On with Julie Goodnight: Riding without reins To post a Google Review for Julie Goodnight: https://support.google.com/b...
Blogpost: Riding without the Reins
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Riding Without Reins: It’s not as hard as you think! Most riders can’t imagine having full control of a horse without holding the reins, let alone...
How Horses Learn
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
n this newest episode of my podcast, we’ll dig into the weeds about how horses learn, how we shape behavior, and the important intangible skills hor...
Play it Safe in Emergency Situations
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s podcast topic is an extension of my blog about the emergency dismount. I’ll talk about how to stay safe in emergency situations. We’ll s...
Gentling Mustangs with Positive Reinforcement: Part 2
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Last month, I talked to Dr. Sarah Matlock, a professor of Equine Behavior at Colorado State University, about her fascinating research into using posi...
Gentling Mustangs with Positive Reinforcement
29 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m talking to Dr. Sarah Matlock, a professor of Equine Behavior at Colorado State University, about her fascinating research into ...
A New Era of Horsemanship: Part 2
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is part two of last month’s episode about the new era of horsemanship. (If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to part one from last month...
A New Era of Horsemanship: Part 1
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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....
Too Cold to Ride? Focus On Rider Health & Well-Being
20 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 fit...
Unwelcome Distractions: When Your Horse Pays Attention to Everything (Except You)
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 exce...
What Causes a Horse to Shut Down?
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 abo...
Yay or Neigh: Should You Let Someone Else Ride Your Horse?
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Horse Goals Or Bust Step 8: Manage Anxiety & Perform at Your Best
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
Horse Goals or Bust! Step 7: It’s Go Time!
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ride On Rewind! Training Setbacks: How to Deal & Move Forward
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Horse Goals or Bust Step 5: Dress for Success
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
Horse Goals or Bust Step 4: The Right Training Plan
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 re...
Horse Goals or Bust Step 3: Fitness & Conditioning
25 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month is all about getting in shape & making a conditioning plan to reach your goal! I talked about rider fitness in my blog this month, which I ...
Horse Goals or Bust Step 2: What’s Your Plan of Action?
21 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re continuing with step #2 of my “Horse Goals or Bust!” series. Last month, we reflected on the past year—what worked, ...
Horse Goals or Bust!
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I love New Year’s and all that it represents—ushering out the old, ringing in the new. I’m not much of a partier on New Year's Eve, but I AM at ...
Does Your Horse Need Professional Help? (Finding the Right Horse Trainer)
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we'll talk about professional training for you and your horse. I’ll cover why you might need a trainer and how you should expect to...
Old Friends, New Adventures & New Horses
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of my podcast, you’ll meet my dear friend "T" Cody. We’ve worked together off and on for the last 25 years since we first met at a...
Right from the Start: Raising Young Horses
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’ll talk about raising baby horses to be solid, reliable adults, discuss some do’s and don’ts, and the most common mistakes p...
For Your Horse: What Every Rider Should Know About Handling Reins
27 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’ll discuss what we mean by saying a rider has "good hands." I'll talk about hand position, feel, common mistakes, what horses hat...
Summertime Grooming Challenges & Fixes
30 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of my podcast, I’ll talk about tricks of the trade I’ve learned throughout my career, about horse grooming and how to get a “blo...
Going to a Clinic? Set Your Horse & Yourself Up for Success
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it’s the main goal or a stepping stone on the way, a clinic of any kind is a big investment of time, money and energy. In this episode, I’...
Unclear is Unkind: Approach Training from the Horse’s Perspective
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A horse is always learning—for better or for worse. The more you understand how horses learn and how this shapes their behavior, the more effective ...
Find the Holes: How to Evaluate A Horse’s Training
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you are just getting to know a new horse, working with a horse with an unknown training history, going back to basics with a training project, or s...
Road Trip! What to Know Before You Hitch Up
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s topic is all about trailering horses. Whether you take small hops down the road to take a lesson, take weekend adventures to horse events, o...
Boundaries Matter | Where to Draw the Line
26 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s topic is about the importance of establishing boundaries—in our personal lives, our family lives, and yes, even with our horses. I’ll t...
The ”Cinchy” Horse: How It Happens & How to Fix It
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is about how to help your "cinchy" horse. This is a horse that's become emotionally reactive to the tightening of the cinch or girth when...
Different Temperaments of Horses & How They Affect Training
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode's topic came straight from one of our listeners! Horses are truly individuals—each with their own tendencies, quirks and idiosyncrasies...
The Science of the Equine Hoof
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’m excited to have a special guest in this episode—Dr. Barbara Page, founder of the International Foundation for Equine Podiatry Research. We’r...
It‘s Time for a What the Hay? Q&A Bingefest!
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Every now and then, we get such a backlog of really great questions from our listeners that we devote an entire episode to answering as many questions...
Reading Horses: Interpreting Emotional & Communicative Behavior
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s podcast episode is about “reading the horse,” as it’s commonly referred to by horse folks. It’s about observing and interpreting the...
Training Setbacks: How to Deal & Move Forward
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s topic is about how to deal with training setbacks with your horse. We've all been there at some point or another in our journey with hors...
Spoiled Rotten? How to Know & What to Do
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's podcast topic is about spoiled horses. I'll talk about what that looks like, what causes well-behaved horses to act poorly, and how sometimes ...
Rearing to Go: What to Do When Horses Rear
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the horse that rears. Whether you're on the ground or in the saddle, it's one of the scariest and most dangerous behaviors o...
Meltdowns: Bringing Your Horse Back from the Brink
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Has your horse had an emotional meltdown at a show, on a new trail, when he's away from his herd, or other new situations? It's important to understan...
Time for a Change
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is about repurposing, retraining or restarting a horse under saddle. We'll talk about what that looks like, and why it might be needed. T...
Cultivating a Connection with Your Horse
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month's episode is about connecting with your horse: how to establish or reestablish a bonded and productive relationship with your horse—one i...
My Top Trotting Hacks
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today I want to talk to you about the trot—with tips both English and Western riders need to know. I'll talk about ways to improve your posting tech...
New Year’s Resolutions for Horse Lovers
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's podcast is about New Year's resolutions for horse lovers! Recently, I did an interview with Christy Landwehr, the CEO of Certified Horsemanshi...
Top 10 Canter Hacks You Need to Know
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I'll discuss the top 10 challenges riders have at the canter and how to conquer them. Whether you're just starting out and learning to canter for the ...
Ride Your Own Ride
21 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been frustrated with your riding because you think you should be better by now? Have you succumbed to the temptation to compare yourself...
Doc Gunner: Genetic Deep Dive Part 2
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Last time, we talked about the genetic profile of Doc Gunner (who we now call "Doc") regarding his unusual coloration, his deafness, his health condit...
Doc Gunner: Genetic Deep Dive Part 1
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is about the genetic profile test report for my 4-year-old foster horse, Doc Gunner. We have no history on this horse prior to Decembe...
Benefits of the Counter Canter
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'll talk about the counter canter. I'll discuss what it is, when it's the right time to incorporate counter cantering into your trai...
How to Stay Safe with Horses
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today's topic is about how to stay safe with horses. I'll give you some practical guidance and some sage advice. We'll talk about danger zones around ...
Evaluating the Unknown Horse
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Often, the history of the horse does not follow him throughout his life—maybe you bought a horse at an auction, maybe you rescued an abandoned horse...
Tips to Get Trail-Ready
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Trail riding season is fast approaching, and whether you go out for a few hours or a few days at a time, and whether you're going to take 1 or 2 trail...
Horses That Rip & Run
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today's topic is about dealing with horses that rip and run. I'll talk about this dangerous behavior, what it looks like, how it develops, and situati...
Ride Through the Spooks
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This topic is often asked about, and was also inspired by my first few rides out this spring on my young horse, Pepperoni. We're going to take a look ...
Canter with Confidence
16 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, let's talk about cantering with confidence! I'll go over the mechanics of the gait, how to cue, how to ride it, how to set your horse...
Collection: A Short Story Made Long
16 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, let's talk about collection—what it is, and more importantly, what it's not. I'll share with you how to prepare for this skill, how...
How Can I Help My Horse Like His Job?
20 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'll talk about having reasonable expectations for your horse, considering the horse's point of view in the discipline you are train...
Winter Tips for You & Your Horse
18 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How to manage your horse's needs in winter, plus some of the secrets I've learned from living in the high mountains of Colorado for the last 30+ years...
What the Hay Q&A: You Asked, I Answered!
10 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Megan and I sifted through the backlog of questions we've been getting from you, because this time I'm dedicating the entire episode to answering as m...
Bits & Bitting
24 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
"What bit should I start my horse in?" "When should I change bits?" "Are snaffles the mildest bits?" "Does my horse even need a bit?" There are so...
Is Your Horse A Good Citizen?
24 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In my blog earlier this month, I wrote about what it takes to win an Equine Good Citizen Award. So for this episode, I get more in-depth about the t...
Fireside Chats with Julie
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I just got back from another trip to C Lazy U Ranch, this time for my Women's Wholeness & Riding Retreat with my good friend and fellow trainer, Barbr...
Spring Training: Get Ready to Ride
22 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Can't wait for winter to give way to warmer riding weather? In this episode of Ride On, I'll talk about some things you can do to prepare for this rid...
Horse Master: The Final Chapter (Part 2)
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of this episode, I share my favorite stories over the years from Horse Master—what I remember most about the horses, and what I've learn...
Horse Master: The Final Chapter
21 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of this 2-part episode, I talk about my choice to end my long-running show, Horse Master, where I'm going from here, and share stories fro...
Ride On Rewind: The Science of Horse Behavior
29 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This was your favorite topic of 2018! In this "Ride On Rewind" episode, I'll talk with you about horse behavior, communication, positive vs. negative ...
Fireside Q&A at C Lazy U Ranch
28 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This month's podcast episode was recorded live from my retreat at C Lazy U Ranch! I had a nice fireside Q&A session with riders who attended the clini...
Start Out on the Right Hoof
25 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this month's podcast episode I'm talking colt-starting and bits—when to start using them, why, and how to know it's time to move up to the next s...
Solve Problem Behavior: Replacement Training
17 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'll explain what "problem behavior" means in this context, and the difference between replacement training and punishment to exting...
What the Hay Q&A Extravaganza!
30 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You asked, so I'm answering! This week, I'm dedicating the whole episode to questions I got from listeners—from an owner who's fed up with his hors...
I Got the Wrong Horse...Now What?
23 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the last episode, I answered the question, "Did I get the wrong horse for me?" (If you missed it, go back and listen!) So you've decided your hors...
Should you ”Give Up” on Your Horse?
23 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This time, podcast listener, Judy, wrote in asking the difficult question, "At what point should you give up on a particular horse? Or rather, did I ...
Leg Up for Spring Riding
17 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This time I'll talk about how to start getting your horse into shape for your riding goals this season, whether that's climbing mountain trails or rea...
Cueing, Reinforcement & Using Your Aids
16 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Timing is everything! Well, not everything, exactly. This episode is another podcast subscriber exclusive, presented by Smooth Stride Riding Jeans...
The Science of Horse Behavior
15 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you want to communicate better with your horse? If you ever wonder why your horse just doesn't "get it" when you cue him to do something, take a st...