Claim OwnershipTrain Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall
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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.
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.
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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 encouraging a horse to canter in a confined space or making decisions while trail riding. Drawing parallels between sports coaching and horse training, she elucidates the challenges riders face in pushing their horses beyond their comfort zones while maintaining a supportive rapport. By sharing personal experiences and insights, Stacy encourages listeners to reflect on their own roles and challenges in horse training, offering practical tips for navigating these complexities.
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. The Virtual Tevis Cup serves as a focal point, challenging listeners to rethink their capabilities and embrace new opportunities for growth, even in unexpected areas. Stacy emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, learning from mistakes, and maintaining a community-driven approach to equine endeavors. If you're interested in participating in the Virtual Tevis Cup or exploring layered goals for yourself and your horse, visit Stacy Westfall's website or social media for more information.
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 vs. wisdom the desire for, and problem with a checklist horse training has layers, and so does gaining wisdom technique includes how you treat yourself the power in seeing all options as possible, and then choosing Through hearing Mel and Heather’s experiences, you will have the opportunity to discover how wisdom is earned.
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 alongside Lefty, leading to a whirlwind of emotions and physical demands. Through this experience, Stacy emphasizes the importance of embracing contrasts in life. Despite the exhaustion and concern of caring for the foals, she finds moments of rest and contentment. Stacy draws parallels between her own emotional resilience and the foals' physical and mental growth, noting how they stretch their comfort zones and quickly return to a state of equilibrium. Reflecting on her past experiences, including raising orphan foals in 2016, Stacy expresses gratitude for her preparedness and the resources to care for the foals. She credits her mindset mastery work for enabling her to navigate a range of emotions and embrace the challenges as choices rather than burdens. Ultimately, Stacy sees caring for the orphaned foals not as an obligation but as an honor and a gift, highlighting the importance of choosing to embrace life's challenges. She concludes with a message of gratitude and resilience.
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 times Why this thought pattern is destructive Judging your past decisions Intentional challenge or life’s ‘pop quiz’ Trail riding challenges This episode highlights the subtle way that thinking patterns impact our future choices.
In this episode, Stacy shares a challenging moment she very much wants to rush through. Drawing parallels between human behavior and equine tendencies, Stacy emphasizes that rushing is not merely a physical action but a way of thinking that can impact emotions. Using her expertise in horse training, she provides insights into how rushing manifests in both riders and horses, affecting the overall training experience. - Stacy’s technique for reducing rushing in horses (you can also use it on yourself) - three reasons rushing seems like a good idea - how rushing impacts decison making - the MOST challenging time to resist rushing
In this podcast, Stacy explains two unintentional releases riders often overlook and the challenges they cause for the horse. These are also things that can happen in your everyday life. Topics include: freezing, shrinking, and withdrawing rider’s lack of awareness of the horse’s experience how to solve for freezing the challenge of lowering energy, hoping to calm horse avoiding ‘offending’ the horse redirecting energy scared horses being un-guided determined horses and ‘open doors’ Noticing how these things happen in 'real life' is an amazing opportunity to understand yourself better, which will improve your time with your horse.
In this episode, Stacy explains how to know if your horse is ready to move to a more advanced technique, or combination of cues, or when you should return to the basics. If you find yourself wondering, “Is my horse ready to move on?” or if you have moved on, but your horse shows signs of resistance….this episode is for you. Topics include: Believing your horse's signals and returning to foundational techniques Muscle Memory and Habit Response Rider muscle memory and habit response in riding Horse muscle memory and habit response dynamics Importance of consistent practice before facing crises Assessing your willingness to put in the necessary repetitions Recognizing the role of consistent practice in improvement Addressing issues like head tossing, reluctance to move forward, pulling on the rein, and excessive speed
Anger, frustration, fear… to wonder and joy. In this episode, three students share their challenges and growth with their horses inside the Resourceful Rider Program. What stands out to me is how the riders are describing that they can see themselves and their horses more clearly. If I say it backward, before they experienced the shift, their emotions: angry, frustrated, scared…were actually altering what they were able to see. Also listen for how they have learned to support and guide their horse's training. * shifting away from, ‘oh, no, there's something wrong with me’ * finding humor while training * learning to see a piece at a time, learning to see maneuvers in segments as pieces of a sequence * learning when you live in a rural area * the power of being in a community with other women that are trying to get better with their horses This episode is filled with valuable insights, and by the end, you'll see how it was possible for them…and it’s possible for you too.
Stacy shares valuable insights into how riders unintentionally slow their learning. She explains why many less experienced riders skip what she calls ‘step two’ and try to go straight for step three. She also contrasts this by explaining how pros do the opposite. With actual tips for how to improve, and a blend of humor, expertise, and relatable anecdotes, this episode encourages riders of all levels to embrace the journey from seeing to understanding, one identifiable detail at a time. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, saddle up for an episode packed with wisdom, encouragement, and the joy of newfound revelations in the world of horse riding.
In this episode, Stacy explains the five essential steps riders undertake to enhance their horseback riding skills and their training techniques. She emphasizes how each cycle of this process contributes to the continual improvement of a rider's abilities. The focus is on the pivotal first step, where many riders often encounter obstacles. Stacy explains how this is a particular challenge for women entering the equestrian world later in life. Can you clearly identify these 5 steps in a recent situation? Can you remember a time like Stacy shared where you could not progress past one of the steps?
In this episode, you’ll hear a conversation that perfectly illustrates the connection between what is going on in our mind, and how it is often reflected in our experience with our horse. In this conversation, Kristen is struggling with riding transitions, specifically, ‘letting the horse go’ or riding bigger, and then transitioning back to collection. Listen as Stacy asks questions to find the intersection of what is going on when riding, as well as what is going on in Kristin’s thinking. You’ll hear the breakthrough at the end of the conversation. Also notice that specific physical riding advice is given, BUT HERE IS THE PROBLEM: Counting strides won’t fix this issue, if the part that is happening in her THINKING isn’t addressed. emotions as vibrations getting stuck in a familiar emotional state why changing actions alone won’t work why change can feel awkward how this applies to fear, and recovering from accidents The best news is that you can learn to transition between emotional states, and it will improve your riding.
In this episode, we will explore how to pursue a feeling state as a goal. Listen in as Stacy coaches Lauren on how to pursue her theme of ‘having fun builds confidence’ as it relates to showing her horse. A way of being goal is an exploration of your experience of life. The direct goal becomes the exploration of your experience, the indirect goal becomes what you choose to do, for example, showing your horse. This shift in focus transforms the show from a mere competition into a platform for self-study. Topics include: 3 examples of making a ‘way of being’ goal measurable the danger of setting a ‘way of being goal’ and how to avoid it self-esteem and self-confidence the power of individual choice in defining success the importance of viewing this goal across all areas of life, not just with horses Steven Pressfield's book, “The War of Art" is also recommended as an additional resource on the subject.
In this episode, you’ll learn a simple 3-step process for turning your ‘way of being’ into something actionable. Examples of “Way of being goals.” include: do what is best for my horse have a closer relationship with my horse ride confidently without anxiety understand my horse's behavior better to enjoy showing again The problem or challenge with these types is that they often seem hard to define, and even harder to move into action, but it is possible. In less than two minutes a day, you can achieve a transformation that will not only impact you, but those around you…including your horse.
An important part of setting future goals is reviewing and learning from the past. This episode includes an 8-step process for reviewing and learning from your past year, as well as in interview. Diana and Riece join me, and we discuss the lessons that can be learned from reviewing, which can be carried forward into the next year. This episode is so full, it has a free downloadable workbook to go with it! For your free printable copy of the 8-step process outlined, go to stacywestfall.com episode 267. Topics discussed include: the potential fear of being overwhelmed with regrets during a year-end review the difference in reviewing on a micro level (day to day) versus a macro level (year-end review) the reality of adjusting timelines the importance of looking back with compassion, avoiding self-blame, and understanding that decisions were made with the available information How your habit of reviewing (or not reviewing) throughout the year is often reflected in your yearly review. Now is the best time to begin to build the habits that will support your future dreams and goals. Download the free guide and get started today.
If you notice that you find yourself thinking or saying, ‘look, I messed up there’ or ‘my timing could have been better there’ and you have an underlying feeling of disappointment, this episode is for you. In this week's episode, we discuss a simple tool that can help reduce the fear of mistakes and the trap of perfectionism. As riders develop the ability to feel more while riding, the heightened awareness will reveal both the things that ARE working, as well as the things that are not. One tool for adjusting your perspective is to categorize by zones—red, yellow, and green. Once you understand what these zones represent, you’ll understand why ‘perfect’ timing isn’t always necessary. This same concept is also a useful way to think when planning, goal-setting, and reviewing your progress.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall delves into the intricacies of raw reactions versus rewarded responses, using her new yearling horse, Ember, as an example. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and influencing a horse's mental state alongside their physical actions. Stacy shares her approach to teaching Ember to stand quietly when tied, highlighting the challenge of discomfort that arises when horses make mistakes. She stresses the need for consistency in rewarding specific emotional states to transform raw reactions into desired responses. Stacy draws parallels between horse training and human behavior, encouraging listeners to be intentional in their actions and aware of their thought patterns. The episode explores the concept of horses reflecting on their training sessions, thinking about the process after it concludes, and detecting patterns. Stacy likens this reflective process to intentional thinking, which humans can practice for personal development. The narrative shifts to Presto, another horse with thought loops, illustrating the importance of guiding horses through reactive states. Stacy relates this to human experiences, cautioning against unintentionally causing one's fears. The episode concludes with a call for self-reflection, urging listeners to review their actions and thought patterns from the past year, emphasizing the value of looking back for personal growth.
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This was the first episode I've struggled to follow 🥴 I do however understand the concept it was just all the left leg right rein right rein left leg talk that fried my brain 😂
Who was the guy that you spoke of at Tamarack ranch?
I am so happy you started these podcasts!!!