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Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall — Outdoor
Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall

Stacy Westfall teaches people how to understand, enjoy and successfully train their own horses. In her podcast, she shares all of her knowledge in her area of expertise: horses. She offers insights into issues that riders face in their own minds as well as the way they are viewing the challenges and goals they have with horses. She shares tips on becoming a better rider as well as a better leader for your horse.
Discover how you can understand things from your horses point of view so that you can enjoy the learning process with your horse. When you are able to understand what your horse is experiencing mentally and physically the process of learning new things becomes more enjoyable.
Your goals may be showing, trail riding or simply enjoying life with horses-all of which Stacy enjoys herself.
She shares her own struggles and successes to allow listeners to understand that everyone experiences ups and downs.
Through her podcast, website, YouTube channel and social media Stacy answers questions about: Fear, when to sell a horse, goal setting, safety, ground work, trailer loading, lead changes, reining, spins, stops, western dressage, ranch riding, when to get help, lessons, clinics and improving your safety, success and enjoyment of horses.

Copyright: © StacyWestfall.com

Latest Episodes:

Episode 174: Horse bucking while leading: earning the right to be near me Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

horse-play: Noun 1. rough, boisterous play."this ridiculous horseplay has gone far enough" A listener asks a question about a horse that bucks when being lead. I discuss two main concepts; how the rider views the horses maturity age and the concept of 'earning the right to be near me' (and me earning the right to be near them). I also share tips on how I address this and how I prevent it from becoming an allowed way of thinking and acting.

Episode 173: Teaching a foal to be bold Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

A listener calls in and asks reports that she can only touch her nine-month-old foal if she is holding food. In this episode, I describe how this situation might be viewed differently from the horse's perspective…and how the caller might even be coming across as sneaky or suspicious. Then I describe one way to set up a situation where the owner can practice showing up and taking actions that will reward specific behavior in the foal. This exercise will increase the amount of emotional pressure the foal can handle, which will make touching and future training easier.

Episode 172: What to do with feelings like terrified and scared Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

"I'm terrified to ride her. I'm terrified to be in the pasture with her. I'm terrified to screw her up. I'm scared to get on. I've tried to ride my old horse to gain some confidence back. But at this point in time, I'm scared and I want to find the joy I used to have in riding. Any help would be great." While answering this listener question, I discuss the difference between a physical threat causing discomfort or mental thought causing discomfort. I discuss separating physical danger from what it feels like to experience your mind creating an emotion. I also share how to identify a 'clean' emotion, so you can decide if it is useful or if it is holding you back.

Episode 171: Positive and negative tension in riders Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

Help! "My horse "flinches" at everything. I mean everything – including me sniffing. Somedays are worse than others. My trainer has kindly talked to me about it being me. I try so hard to be relaxed and positive, but I will admit, I am a bit "on guard". Any tips for this situation!?!?!?!?!" I have certian situations where I feel this same way and I'm sharing the exact tool I use in this situation. I explain how it allows me to feel more in control and prepared, gauge my level of tension, and desensitize myself and my horse to startling noises.

Episode 170: Can you change the story in your head about a horse or is it time to move on? Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

A listener asks a question about 'changing the story in your head about a horse…and knowing when it's time to move on.' Often times, the story we have in our head is a mixture of fact and story. Separating out the facts is useful. Pretending the facts don't exist, so we can pretend to have a different story, is not useful. It IS natural to have one story about a horse that does change over time in a healthy way. The phrase 'not the right fit for me' is also used, which could point toward several things, including the idea of a horse 'fitting' you or having a temperament that you enjoy in a similar way as your best friend. Finally, I bring up the way that I would approach looking at this question if I were exploring it myself.

Episode 169: Fearful horses: instinct, training, speed of learning and accidental rewards Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

Today, I'm answering two questions about fearful horses. I'll discuss the dance I see between the natural flight instinct, training, a horse's speed of learning and accidental rewards. Sometimes the idea of flight, fight, or freeze can leave us thinking that horses are limited. What makes some horse more reactive? What role does the riders' response to the situation play in future situations? What is a 1-second spook? Here are some new ways to look at a common problem.

Episode 168: Q&A: 'I need help getting my horse to bend'; groundwork & ridden Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

Why do some horses resist bending in the direction of the circle when being lunged or ridden? Two listeners called in asking versions of this question. The answer includes; defining bend and counter-bend, deciding why we want bend, determining the 'big picture' with bend and why some horses seem distracted. I also introduce the concept of 'rebound', or the horses desire to immediately pull away from the bending rein. I share two different reasons this happens and offer new ways to look at the challenge of bend.

Episode 167: Things to consider when prepping for first big horse show Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

A listener asks about how to prepare her 4 year old for his first big horse show. Topics discussed when answering include:

how to prep depending on the result you're after (big show or first show),
the importance of understanding your horses default (naturally steady, naturally skeptical),
knowing the training routine/pattern that helps your horse recover
how to prepare yourself and your horse for the feeling of 'focused intensity' that riders often have at shows.

Observant riders become skilled at predicting what the horse needs to produce confidence and consistency. First this happens at home…then it transfers to shows.

Episode 166-Goal Setting & Overcoming Obstacles Starter Kit Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

Obstacles can become stepping stones to your dreams! In this podcast I'll discuss; Why people avoid setting goals or quit, the role of dreams, dealing with the obstacle you know…and the obstacles you don't. As a bonus, I also share how to make more theoretical the goal's like 'gain confidence' into actionable, measurable steps. If you are ready to take consistent steps towards your dream, go download the free workbook and PDF that go with this and get started today!

Episode 165: Mastery and the Plateau Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

Does it ever feel like the more you learn-the further you are from arriving? This week I read, Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long Term Fulfillment by George Leonard. In this podcast, I read five passages and explain how I see them show up in the journey with horses. This totally explains why my recent goal setting has been a struggle. Listen to learn what mastery is...and isn't...as well as how, "To love the plateau is to love what is most essential and enduring in your life."

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