Posts by Stacy Westfall
Episode 125-Retraining older horses vs starting with a clean slate
Today I’m answering two questions about older horses. One about restarting and one about a horse that doesn’t want to listen when he can’t see the herd. What is the difference between training a young horse vs retraining an older horse? Are there different risks starting an older horse under saddle? When working with herd…
Read MoreEpisode 124- Scared on the trail: Let them look or keep them busy?
Have you ever been in a situation where your horse saw something in the distance…maybe out on a trail ride OR even when you change something in the pasture or arena? Did you wonder…should I let them look…or not? Thats the topic of todays podcast. Episode 124- Scared on the trail_ Let them look or…
Read MoreEpisode 123: Help! I’m constantly in my horses mouth too much…
Many riders struggle to find more subtle cue systems and feel like they are constantly in the horses mouth…overusing the rein cues. Learning how to ride with an independent seat can be a challenge. In this episode, I answer a listener question and explain how I approach this issue. I also explain where and how…
Read MoreEpisode 122: Feeling overwhelmed while training your horse.
A listener asks a question about feeling overwhelmed. She is studying and learning about good horsemanship, developing true partnership and relationship. She is aware there are a LOT of things happening. First I give an overview, then I give FIVE actionable steps for addressing this and then I close with a real life example that…
Read MoreEpisode 121: Overcoming thoughts that rob joy from your horse adventures.
Today’s podcast is on the subject of thoughts that rob joy from our horse adventures. This can apply to anything you decide to do with your horse. Trail riding. Taking a riding lesson. Even going out by yourself to work your own horse. The question is specifically about showing but I assure you the mental…
Read MoreEpisode 120: My horse is a bully. Where do I start?
The first six minutes of this episode could change how you think about horses forever. Where would you start with a horse that is a bully when leading to and from the pasture, pins ears when feeding, pulls back with the farrier and sometimes when trailer loading too… On a positive note she does collect…
Read MoreThe importance of hauling to shows…and not showing.
It’s fun to look back and see how much Willow has matured. This is a video from 2019 which was the first year that I really showed her a lot. She matured so much! Following my lead change theme…and because I’m hoping to show Willow in reining this year…here is a throwback video from August…
Read MoreEpisode 119: Distracted and overreactive vs responsive and aware, how can I train my horse to respond better?
Is it the object or the energy level that triggers your horse? What does your horse do…when …other horses are running…deer jumping…new object appear…loud sounds happen… It is easy to think about the ‘things’ involved but I like to think about the ‘energy’ they create. In this episode I answer two listener questions on…
Read MoreAQHA Journal story on Stacy Westfall
The AQHA Journal magazine story. Scroll through this PDF or click to download. I’m kinda speechless (can you believe it?) and I don’t know what to add except, thank you to Holly Clanahan for telling the story, Donnie Rosie for the beautiful photos and those who were interviewed, my husband Jesse, and friends Suzi Vlietstra…
Read MoreEpisode 118: How can I STOP my horse from being aggressive towards other horses?!
House rules. Pasture rules. Grandma’s rules… Do you really mean that? Are you bluffing? Can I chase your kids? Can I have your spot in the pecking order? When you walk by a stall does a the stalled horse threaten? When you walk by a tied horse…does that horse threaten? When you are leading or…
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