Episode 306: Listener Q&A: Enhancing the Relationship between a Novice Rider and a Capable Horse

In this podcast episode, Stacy Westfall responds to a listener question from Laura, who has a highly trained and well-behaved horse named Parker. Laura says, “he’s just so good. And me being new, I kind of wonder what I can offer him.” Stacy offers four angles for Laura to consider:

1. Use Parker’s excellent behavior as a model to study and apply to her other horses.
2. Avoid the “infatuation” or “awestruck” phase, and instead focus on observing Parker’s individuality and differences.
3. Recognize that training is not just about correction or reprimand, but also about supporting and guiding the horse’s strengths. An excellent employer would do the same with an excellent employee.
4. Look for one thing that each of her other horses does better than Parker, to avoid becoming “barn blind” and losing sight of the nuances of each horse’s behavior.

Stacy emphasizes the importance of shifting one’s paradigm to see training as a multifaceted process that can enhance even the most well-trained horse.