Posts by Stacy Westfall
Riding circles inside of circles to improve accuracy
This video shows one of my favorite training exercises. It helps the rider be more accurate with their aids, which in turn allows the horse to see the ‘pattern’ of the aids. When the horse can see the subtle changes in the rider they are more likely to respond willingly. Riding a pattern like this,…
Read MoreMy exercise partner is a horse!
Check out my ‘equine-cross-fit’ video from 2018 with my running partner, Willow! The weather is cold and snowy here but I’m looking forward to the time when I can exercise out on the trail with her again! The video is a bit jumpy so I added a still photo showing my set up. Basically I…
Read MoreCan resistance in the horse be caused by lack of fitness in the rider?
Have you ever seen resistance in a horse…that you suspected was caused by an unbalanced rider? This week’s theme on my podcast and blogs has been rider fitness. A fit and balanced rider is much easier for the horse to carry. As riders aim to advance inevitable they will experience one of two things regarding…
Read MoreEpisode 114: Exercise: coach yourself to coach your horse
I’m wrapping up this season of the podcast and headed into season 11 which will be answering listener questions. But before I leave this season I wanted to speak about a sometimes dreaded subject: Exercise. Here are four ways exercise can improve your riding. 1-To exercise regularly you’ll need to coach yourself 2-…
Read MoreCan you recommend an online show for a beginner with a gaited horse?
“My goals are not near as grand as yours, but one of my main goals with my mare is to compete in something. I have done a lot of ground work with her and have been working through your steering course. Can you recommend an online show that would be great for a beginner. I…
Read MoreDoes the phrase ‘goal setting’ make you cringe?
I talk a lot about setting goals.🌼 I’m aware that even using this phrase brings up negative emotion for some people. Sometimes the idea of setting a goal brings up stress because you’ve set one in the past and failed to achieve your desired outcome…and you don’t want to feel that way again. Maybe you…
Read MoreBehaving badly or struggling with something difficult: applies to horse too
I see so many similarities between raising children and educating horses. I took this screen shot in February of 2016 and it is still on my phone because it rings true for me…in all relationships.
Read MoreStubborn or persistent? I’m talking about me not the horse…
Two of the things I talked about in this weeks podcast were looking ahead to set your goals and…goal setting. Sometimes it is beneficial to look at this in reverse. Look back a year or two and remember what you were thinking, what you were aiming for. Suggestion: If you keep journals go back and…
Read MoreUnbridling problems: my horse flings her head up and causes the bit to bang her teeth
“Hi Stacy, I was wondering if you could answer a question for me? It would be greatly appreciated. I have a new horse that has an issue with the bridle being taken off. She takes the bit fine when bridling but anticipates the bridle coming off. When you reach up to remove bridle from ears,…
Read MoreThe rewards of goal setting…years later
Seriously, setting goals works! This trophy just arrived in the mail from the AQHA! In 2019 when I decided to show at the Western Dressage World Show in October…I made that decision and began planning in January. That planning allowed me to see that showing in classical dressage would help my western dressage. That realization…
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