Helping horses, one human at a time. Each month, horse trainer, clinician, and host, Julie Goodnight, breaks down the topics riders want to hear about most—whether you’re new to horses or refining your upper-level skills—from building confidence and setting goals to ground-manners, canter departures and more! Listen anytime, while you ride or when you drive to the barn. To submit your question for ”What the Hay? Q&A,” email podcast@juliegoodnight.com
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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 horses should learn early on. As an example, I’ll explain the secrets to teaching untrained horses to stand quietly and patiently while tied. And in the “What the Hay? Q&A” segment at the end of this episo…
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Play it Safe in Emergency Situations
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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 start by looking at what constitutes an emergency with a horse, what “over the threshold” behavior looks like and what its causes are, and most importantly, what you can do as a rider or horse handler to kee…
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Gentling Mustangs with Positive Reinforcement: Part 2
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Last month, I talked to Dr. Sarah Matlock, a professor of Equine Behavior at Colorado State University, about her fascinating research into using positive reinforcement to gentle mustangs, the challenges associated with it, and the importance of understanding horse behavior and motivation. This month, we continue our conversation about the impact o…
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Gentling Mustangs with Positive Reinforcement
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In this episode, I’m talking to Dr. Sarah Matlock, a professor of Equine Behavior at Colorado State University, about her fascinating research into using positive reinforcement to gentle mustangs. We’ll talk about Dr. Matlock's personal journey with horses, and how that led her to a career in equine sciences. Then we’ll delve into Dr. Matlock's exc…
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A New Era of Horsemanship: Part 2
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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!) In this month’s episode, we’ll continue our conversation about science-based, non-forceful training methods, busting old mythology, and changing narratives around the way we talk about horses. I’ll lea…
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A New Era of Horsemanship: Part 1
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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 ha…
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Too Cold to Ride? Focus On Rider Health & Well-Being
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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 t…
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Unwelcome Distractions: When Your Horse Pays Attention to Everything (Except You)
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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 exces…
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What Causes a Horse to Shut Down?
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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 i…
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Yay or Neigh: Should You Let Someone Else Ride Your Horse?
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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 benef…
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Horse Goals Or Bust Step 8: Manage Anxiety & Perform at Your Best
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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 sp…
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Horse Goals or Bust! Step 7: It’s Go Time!
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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…
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Ride On Rewind! Training Setbacks: How to Deal & Move Forward
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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 abou…
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Horse Goals or Bust Step 5: Dress for Success
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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 comfo…
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Horse Goals or Bust Step 4: The Right Training Plan
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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…
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Horse Goals or Bust Step 3: Fitness & Conditioning
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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 will touch on, but in this episode we’ll focus on the horse. I’ll walk you through evaluating your horse’s current fitness level, and how to develop the right conditioning plan to help your horse get …
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Horse Goals or Bust Step 2: What’s Your Plan of Action?
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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, what didn’t, what we wish we did more of, and less of—and we used those revelations to brainstorm new goals for this year. This time, let’s talk about finalizing those goals and how we make a plan to get you wh…
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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 a stage of life where each year is precious to me, and making the most of my life takes on greater significance. I’ve always been serious about planning my time and making new years resolutions, and this ye…
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Does Your Horse Need Professional Help? (Finding the Right Horse Trainer)
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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 benefit from it. Then, I’ll get deep into the weeds of how to find the right trainer for your horse, what type of trainer you should look for, how to know if you’ve found the right match, and how much …
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Old Friends, New Adventures & New Horses
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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 horsemanship clinic at The Home Ranch in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. We’ll talk about our fabulous trip to Ireland for two weeks of clinics and riding the Wild Atlantic Coast—the horses we rode, whe…
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Right from the Start: Raising Young Horses
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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 people make with young horses. I'll also go into what you should and should not do when it comes to training weanlings, foals and yearlings—and why. Finally, I'll share how you can create the ideal environmen…
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For Your Horse: What Every Rider Should Know About Handling Reins
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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 hate that riders do, and what riders can do to improve their communication with their horse. Plus, in the What the Hay? Q&A segment at the end of this show, I’ll answer questions from listeners about how t…
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Summertime Grooming Challenges & Fixes
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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 “bloom” on your horse. I’ll specifically—and separately—address the mane & tail, haircoat, face, and legs. We’ll talk about best practices for keeping your horse comfortable in the hot summer months and glowing…
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Going to a Clinic? Set Your Horse & Yourself Up for Success
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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’ll talk about different types of clinics, how to know if you are ready to attend a clinic, and how to find the right clinic or clinician for you and your horse. I’ll cover how to get ready for the big eve…
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Unclear is Unkind: Approach Training from the Horse’s Perspective
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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 training is, the more responsive the horse is, and the more cohesive the horse-human relationship is. Plus, in the popular “What the Hay?” segment at the end of the episode, I’ll answer questions from l…
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Find the Holes: How to Evaluate A Horse’s Training
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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 simply developing a new training plan—start with a thorough evaluation. In this episode, I’ll talk about how to find the holes in a horse’s training, determine what problems need solving, what new skil…
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Road Trip! What to Know Before You Hitch Up
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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, or drive for days to camp and trail ride with your horses, when you put your horses in a trailer to transport them, there’s a LOT to know! In this episode of my podcast, I’ll talk about horse trailer sel…
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Boundaries Matter | Where to Draw the Line
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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 talk about why establishing boundaries with horses is important for your own safety and the safety of those around your horse, and how clear and consistent boundaries lead to developing a strong bond of trust…
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The ”Cinchy” Horse: How It Happens & How to Fix It
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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 saddling, and who may act out with dramatic behaviors anywhere from biting to kicking or worse. I'll discuss what "cinchy" behavior is, what causes it and how to find solutions for a happier horse. W…
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Different Temperaments of Horses & How They Affect Training
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This episode's topic came straight from one of our listeners! Horses are truly individuals—each with their own tendencies, quirks and idiosyncrasies (just like people). Still, there are certain characteristics that some horses share, there are types of horses which is important to understand, and there are behavioral tendencies that can be genetic …
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I’m excited to have a special guest in this episode—Dr. Barbara Page, founder of the International Foundation for Equine Podiatry Research. We’re going to talk about hoof health and disease prevention, and her research on feral horses and how we can apply the lessons she learned to domestic horses. This is a fascinating and important topic, and one…
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It‘s Time for a What the Hay? Q&A Bingefest!
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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 as we can. This month, you get a full hour of What the Hay? Q&A, with topics ranging from how to handle displays of aggression, to motivating lazy horses to respond, and controlling the speed of fast…
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Reading Horses: Interpreting Emotional & Communicative Behavior
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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 horse’s emotional and communicative behaviors so that you have greater insight into its motivations and intentions. Plus, I’ve got some brand-new questions to answer, straight from our listeners, in my "What t…
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Training Setbacks: How to Deal & Move Forward
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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 horses where things don’t go according to plan. The horse that normally walks right into a trailer suddenly refuses to load. Or your horse has one bad experience at a horse show, and that turns into an ongoing…
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Spoiled Rotten? How to Know & What to Do
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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 the owners are blissfully unaware that other people think their horse is spoiled. Most importantly, I'll talk about how to improve your handling techniques, and turn your little monster into a perfect…
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Rearing to Go: What to Do When Horses Rear
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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 of horses. We'll talk about: What Causes Rearing How to Avoid It What to Do if it Happens How to Stay Safe Around a Rearing Horse Plus, I've got some brand new questions to answer straight from listene…
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Meltdowns: Bringing Your Horse Back from the Brink
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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 understand that horses, as both prey and herd animals, tend to adopt the emotions of the animals around them. Horses have the same basic emotions that humans do, and they reflect the emotions you are feeling w…
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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. Then we'll look at it from two different angles: From the Horse's Point of View: Why that horse might need a new career, and how we go about repurposing or rehoming a horse. From the Rider's Point of V…
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Cultivating a Connection with Your Horse
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This month's episode is about connecting with your horse: how to establish or reestablish a bonded and productive relationship with your horse—one in which the horse: Accepts Your Authority Respects Your Boundaries Is Calm & Focused Seeks Your Acceptance We'll take a look at what the objectives are, and I'll give you some specific step-by-step acti…
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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 technique. Whether you're just learning this handy skill for the first time, or you're an old pro, there's a lot more to posting the trot than simply going up and down. I'll also cover trotting diagonals—wh…
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New Year’s Resolutions for Horse Lovers
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Today's podcast is about New Year's resolutions for horse lovers! Recently, I did an interview with Christy Landwehr, the CEO of Certified Horsemanship Association, and the sponsor of "Training Tuesdays" on the popular radio show, Horses in the Morning. We talked about my philosophy on New Year's resolutions (how to make them and keep them), plus I…
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Top 10 Canter Hacks You Need to Know
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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 first time, you've lost your confidence to canter, or you're an experienced rider training a green horse—whatever the case, this podcast is for you. We'll talk about the most common problems that ride…
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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 with another rider, and wondered why you can't ride like that? What do they have that I don't? Or maybe you had a trainer get on your horse when he was acting like a monster, only to see the horse im…
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Doc Gunner: Genetic Deep Dive Part 2
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Last time, we talked about the genetic profile of Doc Gunner (who we now call "Doc") regarding his unusual coloration, his deafness, his health conditions, and his behavioral traits. It's fascinating information, and it's invaluable for us in terms of managing his health. In this episode, we're going to discuss Doc's ancestry report—how we can find…
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Doc Gunner: Genetic Deep Dive Part 1
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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 December of his 3-year-old year. Given that we know nothing about this horse's breeding or history, it was important to me to get as much data as I could so I can more effectively give him the rehab and trai…
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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 training regimen, why you need it, how you and your horse benefit, and most importantly, how to do it. Plus, I've got some brand new questions to answer straight from our listeners in What the Hay? Q&A. W…
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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 horses, how to prevent accidents and we're going to talk about your personal safety habits. Being safety conscious around horses will help you will help build your confidence and help you enjoy the ri…
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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, or were given a horse—but, for whatever reason, you end up with this horse, and zero history on him. So what do you do now? How do you move forward from there? Is he trained or untrained? What's he li…
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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 adventures this year or 1 or 2 every week, I want to share some of my tips that I've learned through the years. Want your question answered in the What the Hay? Q&A segment? Email it to podcast@julie…
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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 situations where it's likely to happen. We'll look at what this behavior means—why the horse does it, and how he benefits. Fortunately, most horses never learn how to overpower people and get away, but once …
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