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 yo ...
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 303: Consistency is Key: Transitioning from Arena to Trail
29:41
29:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:41
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 302: Words Matter: How Language Shapes Your Equestrian Experience
33:13
33:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:13
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 unders…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 301: Indecisive No More: Conquering Decision Fatigue, and Miserable Maybes
28:27
28:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:27
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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 300: The Challenge of Choosing Change
25:12
25:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:12
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 299: Thematic Thinking: Unlocking New Perspectives
24:55
24:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:55
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 • Ho…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
51
Episode 298: Mimicry’s Limits: How Horses Move Beyond This And You Can Too
22:00
22:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:00
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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 297: Marking Mistakes: Why Non-Reactivity Matters in Horse Training
17:05
17:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:05
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 f…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 296: From Theory to Saddle: Building Your Equestrian Toolbox
33:29
33:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:29
By Stacy Westfall
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 295: Allowing Choices: Empowering Your Horse's Mind
26:13
26:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:13
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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 294: Predictable vs Unpredictable: From 'Oh This Again' to 'Oh, I See It There!'
18:36
18:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:36
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 f…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 293: Recalibrating Your Horse Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide
20:54
20:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:54
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 • Eva…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 292: You are Invited: Two Invitations Horses Offer Riders
14:58
14:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:58
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 291- Lessons Learned on the Trail and Foal Update
19:34
19:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:34
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 participa…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 290-The Power of Touch: Building Connection Through Contact
18:51
18:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:51
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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 289: Recovery Time: The Missing Piece of Your Training Plan
10:17
10:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:17
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 288: Dancing with Discomfort: Steps of Faith and Evidence
20:51
20:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:51
By Stacy Westfall
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 287: Distracted: Should I let my horse stop and look, or keep him moving?
26:40
26:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:40
By Stacy Westfall
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 286: When Words Fall Short: How You See It vs. How I See It
26:21
26:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:21
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 v…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 285: Five levels of distraction you can see in a horse.
29:36
29:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:36
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: …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 284: How Riders Can Avoid These 3 Self-Created Obstacles
25:09
25:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:09
By Stacy Westfall
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 283: Switching Gears: Mastering Multiple Roles with Your Horse
28:26
28:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:26
This podcast episode discusses the dual roles riders embody: the supportive advocate and the accountable coach. The challenge arises when riders need to switch between these roles depending on the situation with their horse. Using personal anecdotes and analogies, Stacy illustrates how these roles manifest in real-life scenarios, such as encouragin…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 282-Riding Towards Understanding: the Virtual Tevis Cup Challenge
24:32
24:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:32
In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the power of goal-setting and learning in layers, using her own experiences and the upcoming Virtual Tevis Cup as examples. She explores how breaking down big goals into smaller, achievable tasks can propel us toward our ultimate dreams., discussing how seemingly unrelated goals can complement each other. Th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 281- Earning Wisdom: Two Stories of Personal Growth
23:22
23:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:22
Today's podcast explores the concept of wisdom as something attainable through experiential learning, rather than mere accumulation of knowledge. Through two compelling success stories, you will see examples of how two women have taken the information they were given, applied it to their lives, and have discovered wisdom. Topics include: knowledge …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 280: Gratitude Amidst Adversity: Caring for Orphaned Foals
23:52
23:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:52
Stacy Westfall shares a deeply personal journey of unexpected challenges and gratitude in her latest podcast episode. Following the sudden loss of her husband's mare Lucy, who left behind a ten-day-old foal named Lefty, Stacy found herself unexpectedly caring for two orphaned foals. She adopted another foal, Stormy, from Last Chance Corral to raise…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 279-The Pitfalls of Regret: Tracing Its Effects on Thought Patterns
18:30
18:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:30
In this episode, you will hear a segment from a recent Zoom call where Stacy celebrates a student's first horse show experience. Within this conversation, three key themes emerge: the show as an evaluation of training, the challenge of riding within a structure, and the subtle presence of regret. Topics include: How regret can sneak in during good …
…
continue reading