Posts by Stacy Westfall
Episode 144: 3 ways riders block their physical awareness
In this episode, I explain three ways I see people holding themselves back by accidentally limiting their awareness of their body. Riding horses can be a great physical awareness tool. I describe what I call ‘body scanning’ and how to use this tool as a way to increase your awareness of your body so you…
Read MoreEpisode 143: Prerequisites for flying lead changes
In this episode I’m answering a question about lead changes. In the beginning I’m very methodical about teaching shoulder control with the reins, legs as speed control. THEN hip control with my legs…separate from the shoulder control that is in my reins. I discuss: Bend and counterbend, turn on the forehand, Canter-walk-canter transitions, bouncy canter…
Read MoreEpisode 142: How can I slow my horse down on a loose rein?
In this episode I’m answering a question about teaching a horse how to hunt slowing down with less or no rein contact. I’ll discuss teaching multiple cues, offering choices through the use of patterns and I’ll give you three different ‘tests’ you can take to evaluate your communication with your horse. Episode 142_ How can…
Read MoreEpisode 141: My horse is on the wrong lead…
Learn how to identify what lead your horse is on when watching from the ground or when riding. What makes a lead ‘right or wrong’ or correct or incorrect? What is counter canter? What is cross firing? If a horse is constantly cross firing…what’s going on? Is this a soundness or a weakness issue? I…
Read MoreEpisode 140: Uncollected-Is that resistance, stiffness and tripping mental or physical?
I recieved an email awhile back that asked a short question. Here is what was written. “The biggest question I can’t seem to get a clear answer for is “how do I ask for the collection?” It is such a short…and seemingly simple question. I explain the underlying issue of collection and why the answer…
Read MoreEpisode 139: Teaching high energy horses to wait and low energy horses to be ready
Are you naturally a low energy or high energy person? Is your horse a naturally low energy or high energy horse? How does this impact you training the horse? Sometime people solve this issue by buying the ‘opposite’ horse. High energy person=low energy horse Low energy person=high energy horse Some people solve it by buying…
Read MoreEpisode 138: 3 reasons people don’t develop emotional maturity in horses
Do you think horses can be taught to be emotionally mature? What would that look like? Can you teach a horse to ‘help you out’? Or do you expect things will always feel ‘manual’ with your horse? In this episode I share my thoughts on emotional maturity and the three reasons people don’t teach it.…
Read MoreWelcome Mini Mocha!
AND HIS NAME IS…. First, thanks so much for all the fun name ideas that were posted on Facebook! I’ll share my thoughts on the names that were sent in, then I’ll tell you why some of my favorites didn’t fit this mini…then I’ll share his name. Names that made me laugh out loud: ⭐️Mushroom…
Read MoreEpisode 137:The role of excitement and patience in horse training
How often do you practice feeling excited…and patience? Is it more common for you to be excited…and rush? In this episode, I use three examples to illustrate how learning to be excited while being patient can dramatically improve your ability to train your horse. There is MAGIC in getting excited about something that will take…
Read MoreEpisode 136: 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…
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