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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 304: The Anticipation Paradox: When Good Training Creates New Challenges Sep 11, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Stacy addresses a common issue in horse training: anticipation. A listener from Denmark asks how to handle a horse that performs learned exercises without waiting for cues. Stacy explains that anticipation is initially a positive sign of successful training, likening it to the first half of a rainbow arc. However, as training progresses, excessive anticipation can become problematic. Stacy advises seeing this as a sign of clear leadership and effective teaching, rather than a failure. She introduces the concept of "teeter-totter" training, where the goal is to balance the horse's eagerness for upward transitions (like cantering) with an equal readiness for downward transitions. This approach aims to create a responsive, thinking partner in the horse. The key challenge is maintaining the horse's initiative while teaching it to wait for cues. Stacy recommends being proactive, redirecting the horse before it anticipates, and gradually refining the horse's responsiveness over time.

Episode 303: Consistency is Key: Transitioning from Arena to Trail Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

Stacy shares insights on transitioning horses from arena training to trail riding. She emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than avoiding them. The podcast highlights the differences between controlled arena environments and unpredictable trail settings. Stacy explains her approach to introducing her new horse, Luna, to trail riding, starting by leading her and gradually testing her responses to manufactured challenges.

5 key takeaways:

1. Embrace challenges: Viewing problems or questions as opportunities for growth is crucial in horse training. Avoiding challenges can lead to limitations in where and how you can work with your horse.

2. Consistency is key: Whether in the arena or on the trail, maintaining a consistent approach to handling questions and challenges that arise is essential for effective training and safety.

3. Gradual transition: When moving from arena to trail riding, start by leading the horse and gradually introduce controlled challenges to assess their readiness and build confidence.

4. Safety line concept: There's a metaphorical "safety line" in horse training. More training puts you further above this line, increasing your ability to handle various situations safely.

5. One-mile settling point: Many horses tend to settle into a rhythm around the one-mile mark of a ride, especially less experienced ones. This insight can help in planning and managing trail rides effectively.

Episode 302: Words Matter: How Language Shapes Your Equestrian Experience Aug 28, 2024

Show notes

Stacy Westfall discusses the overuse of the phrase "I'm sorry" in everyday situations and how it relates to horsemanship. She recounts observing excessive apologizing in a workshop setting and at grocery stores, questioning whether these apologies are genuine expressions of remorse or habitual responses. Westfall emphasizes the importance of understanding one's emotional defaults and how they impact interactions with horses.

She encourages riders to examine why they apologize during lessons or while sharing arena space, suggesting that many of these apologies are unnecessary and may stem from misplaced feelings of inadequacy. Westfall advocates for clearer communication and understanding of riding etiquette to reduce the need for constant apologies.

The podcast also touches on the emotions involved in buying and selling horses, prompting listeners to reflect on their initial emotional responses to these situations.

Episode 301: Indecisive No More: Conquering Decision Fatigue, and Miserable Maybes Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

This episode of the podcast explores the concept of "decision fatigue" and the challenges of navigating the "messy middle" or "miserable maybe" when faced with big life decisions. Stacy shares how this process can be similar to what a horse expereinces when being trained to approach and relax around scary objects.

Key takeaways:

- Decision fatigue is similar to physical fatigue - making too many decisions can mentally "overwork" the brain - The period between first considering a decision and actually making it is rife with potential for decision fatigue - Setting boundaries and dedicated "decision-making time" can help manage this process

Overall, this episode provides practical strategies for handling the challenge of big, complex decisions and avoiding the mental strain that can come with prolonged indecision.

Episode 300: The Challenge of Choosing Change Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

In this milestone 300th episode, Stacy Westfall explores the challenges and benefits of choosing change. She reflects on her journey of creating weekly content for over a decade and how it has shaped her perspective on change. Stacy discusses the constant nature of change and the importance of distinguishing between changes we can control and those we can't. She shares personal experiences, including breeding her horse Gabby after losing another mare, to illustrate how choosing change can build resilience and prepare us for unexpected changes. Key points: Change is constant and inevitable, even when we try to keep things the same Choosing change often feels challenging due to the uncertainty it brings Recognizing "red flags" when considering change for the wrong reasons is crucial Building mental resilience through consistent habits helps in navigating both chosen and unexpected changes When others disagree with the change you choose (for example: choosing to sell a horse) you'll likely experience an additional layer of challenge

Episode 299: Thematic Thinking: Unlocking New Perspectives Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Stacy explains how she picks and maintains a theme when working with her horses. She shares how studying one theme over a longer period reveals the many angles that are possible. It also helps her see how the theme applies to non-horse parts of life as well.

Key takeaways: • Focus on a specific theory while working with horses • Horses can learn what to pay attention to and what to ignore • The importance of believing in a horse's capabilities • How doubt can negatively impact horse training • Using journaling or discussions to improve horsemanship skills

Episode 298: Mimicry's Limits: How Horses Move Beyond This And You Can Too Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

This podcast explores the crucial difference between mimicking and understanding in learning processes, using examples from horse training and human skill acquisition. Stacy emphasizes that while mimicking is often the initial step in learning, it's merely the beginning. True mastery comes from developing a deeper understanding of the 'why' behind actions and behaviors.

Stacy shares how young horses, like Lefty, start by copying behaviors without fully comprehending their meanings. Similarly, humans may imitate training techniques without grasping their underlying principles. This superficial approach can lead to incomplete learning and ineffective application of skills.

Stacy stresses the importance of moving beyond imitation to develop nuanced understanding, which enables learners to adapt techniques to various situations and truly master a skill.

Key takeaways: • Mimicking is a natural starting point in learning but shouldn't be the end goal • Understanding the 'why' behind actions leads to more effective application of skills • Observing patterns and questioning experiences deepens comprehension • True mastery involves adapting techniques to different contexts • Moving beyond copying requires active engagement and reflection on learning experiences

Episode 297: Marking Mistakes: Why Non-Reactivity Matters in Horse Training Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Stacy Westfall discusses marking behavior as a fundamental aspect of horse training. She explains how this technique, often used in clicker training, can quickly reinforce desired behaviors, or can accidentally mark a mistake as well. Stacy explains the powerful tool horses use with each other of simply not reacting, and why it works so well in a feedback loop.

Key points include:

The introduction of orphan foals Lefty and Stormy to an adult horse, Gabby
Gabby's subtle communication and non-reactive responses to the foals' behavior
The significance of not overreacting to accidental touches or movements when working with horses

Stacy emphasizes that a deep understanding of marking behavior and its implementation can greatly enhance training effectiveness and improve overall communication between humans and horses.

Episode 296: From Theory to Saddle: Building Your Equestrian Toolbox Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

Episode 295: Allowing Choices: Empowering Your Horse's Mind Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

Stacy Westfall introduces the concept of "allowing" versus "making" in horse training. She emphasizes that both approaches have their place, with "making" including positive actions like guiding or shaping behavior. The power of allowing is highlighted as a tool to influence a horse's mind and encourage desired behaviors.

Stacy uses the example of teaching a horse to slow down. She first asks the horse to go, potentially "making" them if necessary, then allows them to slow down. This method teaches horses to seek opportunities to slow down and engages both "hot" and "cold" temperaments.

There is value in allowing horses to make choices within a structured framework, fostering their intelligence and curiosity while maintaining control and safety. Stacy explains how this principle applies to basic interactions as well as advanced concepts like collection and self-carriage.

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