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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 294: Predictable vs Unpredictable: From 'Oh This Again' to 'Oh, I See It There!' Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Stacy discusses the importance of addressing predictable problems in horse training before tackling unpredictable ones. She argues that focusing on known issues is more effective, as it allows for better planning and addresses both the horse's and rider's thought patterns. Stacy emphasizes that riders often ignore or make excuses for predictable problems, making it challenging to choose to address them. She encourages riders to examine their own thought processes when facing recurring issues with their horses, as this self-awareness can lead to more effective solutions.

Stacy illustrates her points with examples ranging from basic groundwork to advanced riding techniques. She notes that as riders progress, recognizing predictable challenges becomes exciting rather than frustrating, as it allows for targeted problem-solving. The key takeaways are:

• Categorize challenges as predictable or unpredictable • Start by addressing predictable problems • Examine your own thought patterns and responses • Recognize that solving predictable issues can resolve unpredictable ones • View predictable challenges as opportunities for improvement

Episode 293: Recalibrating Your Horse Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

Stacy addresses the common feeling of being "behind" in horse training, offering a framework to reassess and recalibrate goals. She provides four key questions to ask yourself when feeling behind, then offers two action steps to move forward productively.

Key points: • Recognize the difference between having a concrete plan and a hopeful wish • Evaluate your reasons for falling behind and practice self-compassion • Consider external factors and intentional choices that may have affected your progress • Use setbacks as learning opportunities to improve future planning and decision-making • Develop a realistic, step-by-step approach to achieve your horse training goals, rather than relying on vague aspirations

This approach will help you transform feelings of being behind into constructive action.

Episode 292: You are Invited: Two Invitations Horses Offer Riders Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

In this podcast episode, Stacy Westfall introduces the concept of viewing a horse's behavior as an "invitation" that riders can choose to accept or decline. She explains that horses often present two types of invitations to riders:

- Emotional invitations: When a horse becomes anxious, jumpy, or displays a particular emotional state, it can be seen as an invitation for the rider to join that emotional state. - Training invitations: Horses may also invite riders to use certain aids or respond in specific ways during training or riding. For example, a lazy horse might invite the rider to do more work to maintain energy, while a hot horse might invite the rider to constantly apply the brakes.

Stacy encourages riders to:

- Recognize these invitations from their horses - Become aware of their default responses to these invitations - Consider choosing a different, more productive response - Look for invitations during their next 10 rides - Aim to break habitual patterns by responding intentionally to their horse's cues.

Episode 291- Lessons Learned on the Trail and Foal Update Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

In this podcast, Stacy recaps her experience with the Tevis Cup Virtual Challenge. She shares that she will do it again, and what she will do differently next time. She also shares an update on Lefty and Stormy, the two orphan foals that impacted her original spring plans.

Key takeaways: • the challenges of tracking miles • the benefit of participating in a group event • unlocking 'milestones' and learning the history of the trail • physical improvements noticed by vets, chiropractors, and massage therapists • behavioral changes from the increased intentional work

There is still time to sign up for the 2024 Tevis Cup Virtual, and if you are listening to this after the registration closes, you can begin thinking about signing up next year!

Episode 290-The Power of Touch: Building Connection Through Contact Jun 05, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Stacy emphasizes the importance of establishing contact with horses in order to achieve connection. Contact refers to physical touch, whether direct or through tools like reins or whips. Connection, on the other hand, has two meanings: the flow of energy through the horse's body in dressage, and the relationship bond between horse and human. Through examples with her foals, show horses, and dressage horses, Stacy illustrates how contact precedes connection.

Key takeaways:

With foals, she uses scratches to build positive associations with touch.
For sensitive show horses, resetting cues with firmer contact can alleviate anxiety.
To advance, riders must feel the horse's body to harness the energy flow, but this requires the horse's training progression.
From ground work to riding, contact training enables connection

Overall, Stacy stresses the necessity of contact to foster a willing, connected partnership.

Episode 289: Recovery Time: The Missing Piece of Your Training Plan May 29, 2024

Show notes

When pursuing long-term goals with your horse, it's crucial to intentionally plan for both physical and mental recovery time. While most riders allow physical recovery for their horses after intense events, they often neglect their own need for mental rest and rejuvenation. By taking intentional breaks, postponing further work until a set date, and observing your body's and mind's recovery patterns, you can learn to better support yourself before, during, and after challenging events. Honoring your recovery needs allows you to show up fully for your horse and increases your chances of successfully achieving your goals together.

Key Takeaways:

• Plan recovery time for both physical and mental rejuvenation • Take intentional breaks by setting a restart date and sticking to it • Observe your recovery patterns to learn your needs • Proper recovery planning leads to showing up better for your horse • Increases likelihood of achieving long-term goals with your horse

Episode 288: Dancing with Discomfort: Steps of Faith and Evidence May 22, 2024

Show notes

Episode 287: Distracted: Should I let my horse stop and look, or keep him moving? May 15, 2024

Show notes

Episode 286: When Words Fall Short: How You See It vs. How I See It May 08, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Stacy dives into the challenge of using words to describe what happens with your horse. She starts with a common experience: reading a student's description, then watching a video to match it with reality. This exercise often reveals discrepancies. For instance, while a student might describe a horse as "reactive" or "stuck," the video might tell a different story. Topics include:

How you describe it vs what I see
Childhood game of telephone
Emotions impacting your viewing
Viewing from calm, neutral
Identifying normal stages
Below the safety line...'just barely' above the line
Repeat exposure changing the way you view and interpret your horse

She also introduces the Resourceful Rider program, which helps riders connect through shared terminology and mutual understanding, aiming for consistency in describing horse behavior.

Episode 285: Five levels of distraction you can see in a horse. May 01, 2024

Show notes

In this podcast, Stacy shares five levels of distraction that she see in horses.

This is important to think about, because if you can recognize it in layers, or levels of distraction, then you have a chance to see the progression. People use the term 'distracted' to describe a wide range of behaviors, so I want to show you this in layers.

Level 1: Checked Out Level 2: Panic, But With Recovery Level 3: Just Above the Safety Line Level 4: Second Story Window Level 5: Roof Top

Listen and identify which level you are at, and learn more about the common challenges with each level

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