Posts by Stacy Westfall

Are you confused about how to make your dream into a goal? If you are, you are not alone. This is especially common with riders who have relationship type goals. _To form the bond I have always dreamed of. _I dream of having a connection with him…. _To do anything on my horse with more…

What if achieving your goal was simple? 
Not necessarily easy…as in requiring little effort. But simple, as in, one thing you could do that would ensure progress. Does your goal require that your horse develops a high level of fitness? 
Or is it more focused on refining cues and communication?
 Or does it include a…

If you’re saying to yourself, “That was too much. I need to cut back this year.” This podcast is for you. There are times when adjusting your goals is in your best interest. But before you decide if you will repeat a goal or change it, remember to factor in what HAS changed…which is you.…

Self-doubt is often born out of a low-value cycle. “I could have done better.” sound so innocent. But what it really begins a little spiral of self-doubt. The next time you have to make a decision, a part of you will feel doubt, because you KNOW you’ll be judging yourself in the future. Your treatment…

When a rider sets a goal or begins to struggle, they are often tempted to heavily focus on the ‘how.’ This often appears as a heavy focus on the horse’s body or the rider’s body.  The real ‘how’ of reaching a goal or finding your path through a current struggle is a combination of the…

In this podcast, I explain how it is possible to teach a horse to offer desirable responses. I describe it as having a ‘conversation’ with a horse. I discuss the theory AND I give actual riding examples, including a link to a video example. Inside a conversation, there are ‘gaps’ or spaces left for the…

In this episode, I discuss the difference in the energy of starting something new, versus re-starting something after your plans were interrupted. New starts often come with an excited type of energy. Re-starting is an entirely different skill set. It requires you to use a different energy and a different way of thinking. I explain…

Listen while you prep for Thanksgiving, or anytime you need a reminder of what horses bring to your life:) I asked…and YOU answered. Messages flooded in from around the world sharing why you love horses, why you are thankful for horses…and how horses have changed your life. Horses are good for the soul. Challenges. Triumphs.…

Have you heard the statement, “There are no stupid questions.” It’s a common saying because it’s a common problem. Students fear asking a question because they would rather not appear stupid. On the flip side, teachers also have the challenge of explaining things clearly, without reacting to the idea that a student might misinterpret this.…