Posts by Stacy Westfall
Episode 83: Getting started in reining-A conversation with Jesse Westfall
Is it possible to get started in reining and fully train your own horse from start to show? Never having a reining trainer ride the horse? Today’s guest says ‘yes’ and he has the track record to prove it. Today, I would introduce you to my husband and my coach, Jesse Westfall. Over the years…
Read MoreDental care for horses, why ‘floating’ teeth is important.
Presto had his yearly dental appointment and I learned a little more about equine dentistry. It always amazes me how sharp the horse’s teeth can wear themselves over time. Take a look at this photo of a couple of the ‘caps’ or baby teeth that the dentist removed. The first side is the chewing surface…and…
Read MoreEpisode 82: Ride with Confidence- a conversation with Barbra Schulte
Today we are talking about Riding with Confidence and my guest is Barbra Schulte. She is a Hall of Fame rider and a performance coach. I looked through my emails and asked her questions about fear of cantering, fear of messing my horse up, fear of making a fool of myself when I ride, and…
Read MorePonying: the art of leading one horse while riding another
One thing I’ve done with Presto more than any other horse is ponying him. I chose to start Presto under saddle much later than many of my other horses. Instead of leaving Presto at home or in the pasture I started ponying him. Ponying is when you leading one horse while riding another. Ponying is…
Read MoreEpisode 81: Leading one horse while riding another, how to teach ponying
Today’s question is about teaching horses to pony or the art of leading one horse while riding another. Ponying can be a great way to exercise two horses at once as well as a way to expose a younger or less experienced horse to more of the world without riding. This podcast lists things to…
Read MoreEvaluating a horse’s potential, changing goals, narrowing focus
Evaluating a horses potential is an interesting thing. I’m always evaluating two things. 1) what is standing right in front of me that day 2) future possibilities Many people think about evaluating a horses potential early on, possibly before they are even being ridden. While this is useful, I would also encourage you to consider…
Read MoreEp 80: Horse shows: ethics, reining, competition, pitfalls & different cue systems
Today, I’m answering two questions that were left on my voicemail line (the orange tab on the right side of the home page). Both of these involve the idea of riding different disciplines. The first question discusses ethics, showing, and competition. And the second question is more about how to handle the apparent contradictions between…
Read MoreDoes Presto think differently because he was an orphan? Or does he think differently because of his breed and experience?
Question: “I would love to learn more about where Presto is at with his training. What challenges have you had with the difference in his breed compared to quarter horses? Or just in his personality being raised by humans instead of horses?” Presto is quite the comic…with a dry sense of humor. He is often…
Read MoreEp 79: My horse won’t walk on the lunge line & Can I do groundwork without lunging?
Ep 79: Answering two questions in this episode! Question 1: My horse wants to run and play at the beginning of lunging. It takes a long time to get her to walk. Should I accept this or change it? How would I change it? Question 2: My horse has been recovering from an injury. I…
Read MoreNurse mare foals reunited, how do they respond?
Presto and Justice… ❓How would they respond when they met again? ??They spent the first 5 months of life together…then were separated for a year and a half. ?Here is the video answer! And I’m just sayin’…it wasn’t all❤️❤️❤️ —– I’ve owned Presto now for four years. He has grown so much and I’m finally…
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