Posts by Stacy Westfall
Episode 88: Western Dressage: a conversation with Lynn Palm
Today I’m talking with Lynn Palm about western dressage. Lynn literally wrote the book on the subject of western dressage. She competes, judges, and teaches people about the sport. In this conversation, we discuss the step by step nature of the dressage tests, how the tests lead to balance in horse and rider…and more!…
Read MorePresto’s First Ride: Staying safe during the first ride on a horse
One year ago this week was Presto’s first ride! Here is a video showing the big day. ❤️It’s very fitting that his first trail?ride was this week…watch for an upcoming video of that! ——————- I’ve owned Presto now for four years. He has grown so much and I’m finally ready to start sharing his adventures.…
Read MoreEpisode 87: How much MONEY am I spending on my horse habit? A conversation with Nicole Ross
How much does it cost to own a horse? It is not an easy question to answer because there are so many variables but today’s guest, Nicole Ross of HorseRookie.com has a unique solution. She began sharing ‘What I spend on my horse: Monthly Expense Report’ each month on her website. She explains what she…
Read MoreWhen does a horse need shoes?
Shoes or no shoes…that is the question. And…I don’t have the answer. At least, not a blanket answer. I think that is why the ‘discussion’ gets so heated. There is not a single ‘right’ answer. I personally leave my horses barefoot until one of two things happens; they tell me they need shoes or I…
Read MoreEpisode 86: The challenge of change – a conversation with Ginny Telego
There is a difference between recognizing change is needed and actually making a change. Today’s guest, Ginny Telego, outlines why change can be so challenging. SWS086.mp3: Audio automatically transcribed by Sonix SWS086.mp3: this mp3 audio file was automatically transcribed by Sonix with the best speech-to-text algorithms. This transcript may contain errors. Announcer: Podcasting from a…
Read MoreDo you use chiropractic care for your horses?
Do you use chiropractic or other alternative health care with your horses? I do…but I also personally benefit from visiting my human chiropractor. Chiropractic makes a huge difference for me. But I also know that everyone is different, my husband rarely needs to go. My personal success with chiropractic work probably influenced my desire to…
Read MoreEpisode 85: The older & wider rider – a conversation with Suzi Vlietstra
Getting into horses or returning to horses later in life can be a challenge but can also contain many hidden blessings. My guest today, Suzi Vlietstra, shares her experience of returning to horses at age 57. In her words, “So here I am, an older and wider rider hoping to recapture some of the equine…
Read MoreStretching your horses comfort zone with travel
Why is travel stressful for horses and what can be done to make it less so? On the surface it sounds simple; load up & go ride at a friend’s house. But from Presto’s point of view it greatly stretched his comfort zone…and I didn’t even ride him. Much of the stress comes from…
Read MoreEp 84: Clicker training horses- a conversation with Mustang Maddy
Does clicker training work with horses? Won’t they just start looking for treats all the time? In this podcast, I’m talking with Mustang Maddy about clicker training horses. We discuss positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, staying safe, mental barriers to trying new training techniques and more. She outlines the steps she uses to safely introduce the…
Read MoreWatching horses interact with other horse.
I love watching horses interact with other horses. There is so much you can learn about them as you watch them together. How do they approach each other? What body language do they use to communicate? Who is the leader in this group? How do they treat those they lead? Which one tends to kick?…
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