Max Goodman

09/01/2026

Heads up NC!

Equine herpesvirus (EHV) is a family of equine viruses named by numbers including EHV-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 with EHV-1,3,4 posing the most risk for domestic horses. EHV is a common DNA virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide. The two most common species are EHV-1 and EHV-4.

04/01/2026

Accurate.

30/12/2025

For anyone interested in booking clinics in the new year, these are so far the available weekend dates for 2026. Whatever isn't filled by clinics may be used for local lessons within 1.5 hours driving distance of Warrenton NC. If this is something that interests you please feel free to shoot me a private message. Look forward to seeing you all in the new year! Available dates for Clinics/Away lessons 2026:

2/7 - 2/8
2/21 - 2/22
2/28 - 3/1
3/14 - 3/15
3/21 - 3/22
4/4 - 4/5
4/11 -4/12
4/25-4/26
5/16 - 5/17
5/30 - 5/31
6/6 - 6/7
6/27 - 28
7/18 - 19
7/25 - 26
8/1 - 8/2
8/15 - 16
8/22 -23
8/29 - 30
9/19 - 9/20
10/3 -10/4
10/17 - 10/18
11/7-8
11/21-22

21/12/2025

If there is no way to use a “training aid” without it causing at least discomfort if not pain or harm, particularly without release, there is no reason to use it. Let’s start calling these devices what they are: tools of coercion and force.

09/12/2025

Lateral bend in reality!!

08/12/2025

As is my usual travel karma I am holed up in a hotel outside Orlando on my way home from for the Christian Kennedy Future Stars Clinic with my student, Ella. A massive storm has stalled my homeward progress :/ The two day clinic featured lessons with .robert and for 33 young riders ages 9-24. It was Ella’s first clinic *ever* (also first time on an airplane!) and as one of the youngest and least experienced riders the experience was at times overwhelming. But, thanks to the patience and generosity of everyone involved, from Anne Baber Wallis who lent her sweet gelding, Joey, to Joey’s trainer who helped show Ella Joey’s aids, to Robert’s assistant Kendall who helped with the lessons, and of course to Robert and Laura, by day 2 Ella regained her confidence and was able to really focus on transitions within the gaits, and accuracy, especially when it comes to riding corners! Laura helped Ella reframe the feeling she was having when Joey was going forward, to understand the discomfort was coming from the tension, not the speed. I think identifying this feeling will be very helpful for Ella’s mindset and efficacy as a rider going forward.

03/12/2025

As someone who often reads (filters) sales ads for clients, and who has occasional need to write them, I thought it might be helpful to include some basic terms and definitions for others who are out shopping this holiday season. Here is a quick glossary, feel free to add any important ones in the comments that I may have missed!

*Best suited for a professional: Will kill you.

*Quirky: Will kill you.

*Must bond with his rider: Will kill you.

*Prefers a confident rider: Will kill you.

*Affected by heat cycles: Will kill you, but a lady.

*Late gelded: Will kill you, but a dude bro.

*Spicy: Will kill you, gender neutral.

*Big mover: invest in the largest knee blocks you can.

*Green broke: feral

*Well started: Jimmy sat on it once and we made a video

* Kick ride: doesn’t go

* Forward: doesn’t stop

*Amateur dream horse: Seller’s dream price

*I was going to keep him for myself: but I found something I like better.

*Some maintenance: Legs may or may not be attached

*Green changes: A bug bit it and it did a flying change kind of once.

*Confirmed changes: Usually, if the wind is just right, and we put it into the same pattern, and kick really hard, it will give us a change.

*Skip change: Hunter for late behind.

*Auto change: Jumper for late behind.

*Age 12: could literally be anywhere from 2 - 25

*Prefers Dressage: has a mean stop at fences.

*Prefers jumping: found Dressage more boring than watching paint dry, and when it started adding airs above the ground, we figured we’d put jumps in front of it and make it look intentional.

*Prospect, could go in any direction: and he has, just ask Susy who had to walk 1/2 a mile back when she tried to hack him out alone.

(Image of our very own sales horse for the algo...)