Posts by Stacy Westfall
Episode 135: Developing self awareness & independence when riding
How can you keep yourself safe and make good choices…when you know you are consciously incompetence? In this episode I explain how to develop self awareness while you are riding. Self awareness is key to be able to recognize the difference between fear vs danger. I also review the stages of competency, and the three…
Read MoreEpisode 135: Is mental exhaustion hindering your horse training?
Can you effectively train your horse on a day when you feel mentally exhausted? Today I answer a listener question about this by discussing B- work, resistance, Physical exhaustion vs mental exhaustion and why I think working on days like this can BENEFIT my horses. Links mentioned in podcast:
Read MoreEpisode 134: How do you get that bond and trust with your horses?
To answer the question of creating a bond of trust I discuss the balancing act of Training & Time. How much time does it take? What is the flaw of time? (Answer: being boring) How do you train while honoring the horses questions and understanding the emotional level? Does increasing the physical level of communication…
Read MoreEpisode 133: Collection: Western vs Dressage
How is collection the same…or different between the western world of reining vs dressage? How does relaxation fit in? What changes with the head low? What happens with the horse behind vertical? How does a horses build and the movement being ridden influence these things? In this podcast I answer these questions and discuss what…
Read MoreEpisode 132: When would I start introducing collection to my horse?
“My horse has good basics. We can walk, trot and canter. The groundwork is good…what next? When would I start introducing collection?” This is a discussion of collection including: what is collection? Is collection different in the western world vs dressage? I discuss the building blocks of collection such as shoulder control, transitions, moving hips…
Read MoreEpisode 131- Painful thoughts that hold us back with our horses
The way we think about things created a feeling that shows up in our body and our horses are aware of it. This is why it is so important to take a look at your thinking. One place to start is by separating the facts from the story. Then look at each phrase of…
Read MoreEpisode 130: The discomfort of learning new things
“How can I build my horses confidence, help her learn to respect me as her leader…without her being afraid.” A discussion about fear, discomfort, comfort zones, creating maturity in horses, confusion, clarity, energy…and choice. Links mentioned in podcast: Stacy’s Video Diary: Jac https://youtu.be/hYKM0IsHvp8 Podcast Episode 23: Your Horse Has Questions
Read MoreEpisode 129: Physical and mental comfort zones for horses
In this episode I’m answering two questions that illustrate the dance between the horses body and the horses mind. The goal for us humans is to learn to read the body…to see what the horses is giving us for feedback. The challenge is that as we train our horses we are often working to increase…
Read MoreEpisode 128: Dressage vs Reining: Lessons I have Learned
“What have you learned by studying Classical Dressage? What things changed? Will you continue to ride Dressage?” I answer these questions and discuss the similarities and differences, precision, speed, accuracy, transitions, self carriage and more. Some of these things I discovered myself…others my horses reported to me. The short answer is yes, I’ll be doing…
Read MoreEpisode 127: Survival brain vs rational brain on a trail ride
On trail rides there are many situations for scary footing; boggy areas, water crossing, big ditches, hills and more. In those moments do you have a plan that covers the things your horse might do? Are the cues you use interfering or helping the horses balance? This podcast discusses the rider fears, the reason that…
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