Posts by Stacy Westfall

In this episode, I discuss how quickly horses begin to recognize patterns of behavior, and I answer a listener question about working around feeding time. While these may seem unrelated, I think the contrast highlights how incredibly valuable it is to recognize how you view your horse. Do you view your horse as a dependent…

Confidence and self-confidence are both important. But if one skill rules them all, it is the belief that you can trust yourself. Confidence comes from a Latin word which means “to trust”; therefore, having self-confidence is having trust in oneself. Self-confidence is an emotion that you generate without any history to back it up or…

Today, I’m answering a question that came in about bitless and/or bridleless riding.  In the episode, I explain:
 common mistakes people make when considering bridleless riding the importance of understanding WHY you want to ride bridleless assessing your horse’s understanding based on past training the differences between bit-less and bridleless riding when I begin introducing…

Today I’m answering a question that came in regarding two horses owned by one person. One horse is very responsive to pressure, while the other is more bold and brave…and doesn’t respond as much to pressure. The caller shares how this is causing her a challenge. In my response, I explain: the importance of establishing…

I asked riders this question, “”Is there a feeling you really struggle with that seems to be affecting your riding?” These are a few of the answers: self doubt, battling negative thoughts, imposter syndrome, inadequate, anxious, nervous, anticipating problems, judging myself, sad, frustration (time frame…taking longer than expected), lack of confidence, anxiety, fear, fear, annoyed,…

This week, I’m answering a listener question about training vs emotional ‘deposits’ when spending time with a horse. I answer this question from several angles, including: -‘earning’ the right to be in their space. -seeing the horses side of the conversation – your human view of work – what Professional trainers must identify – what…

Today, I’m answering a question that came in about my philosophy of ‘earning the right to be in each other’s space.”
The caller explains that she understands the concept as it applies to a pushy horse having to earn the right to enter her space. She is curious about how this concept applies to timid or…

On today’s podcast I’m going to share with you a three step way to evaluate your corrections when you’re training your horse. I actually don’t like the word correction…but I’m using it because it gets to the essesnce of the problem the quickest. In the podcast I will explain why corrections cause more problems and…

I received this question, decided to make it a podcast topic because I have recently experienced a significant setback that derailed my plans. I see three types of life issues that can bring you to a halt. 1) Mindset issues: This can show up as fear, limiting beliefs, or EMOTIONS YOU WOULD PREFER TO AVOID.…