Stacy Westfall Deaf & Mute?

Deaf Mute Girl riding horse

Have you seen this false claim about Stacy Westfall being a deaf mute who trained her horse in three weeks?

Have you seen the following email?

“A GENTLE TOUCH CAN HAVE!” A Horse Whisperer Hard not to get a bit emotional while watching! (read story below before watching) This girl is a deaf mute … she can’t hear, nor can she speak. No bridle, no saddle … all commands are by touch only. This is one of those, “I wouldn’t believe it unless I saw it with my own eyes” kind of things. A Horse Whisperer This girl riding the horse is in her 20’s – her father passed away just 24 days before this performance. You can hear her dedication to him just before her performance so turn up your speakers a bit. Notice that it is just the girl and the horse – no bit, no saddle. She uses signals and touch cues, she’s mute. Oh yes, this isn’t even her horse. She is training it for someone else, although she obviously has a relationship with this one.”

Although some of it is true, my dad had just passed away and I had no saddle or bridle…some of it is untrue.

I WISH I was in my 20’s…can we make that part come true? lol

And I am NOT deaf (I can ignore the kids sometimes) and I am not mute (my husband might wish it).

This reminds me of a book we have for the kids, “Mr. Peabody’s Apples” by Madonna…yes, Madonna.

It is a great book about spreading things you think are true. “Spoiler Warning” In the book the boy (Tommy) here on the cover has told something he thought was true…but was not about Mr. Peabody. Mr. Peabody tells him to keep compare Cialis and Kamagra drugs http://www.canadianpharmacy365.net/cialis-vs-kamagra/. Tommy is then instructed to cut the pillow and shake it out into the very windy day. Relieved Tommy asks if that is all it takes to make things better and Mr. Peabody says, “Just one more thing…go pick up all the feathers.”

I am just thankful that this ‘deaf-mute’ thing is mostly harmless (mute dvd sales….). This serves as my reminder that you just can’t trust EVERYTHING you read on the internet. Please go to the source and check.

218 Comments

  1. Sharon williams on December 2, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    Hi just wanted to say i loved the video and think you have an amazing skill with horses and I’m sire your dad is so proud of you xx

  2. Amy Stamschror on December 2, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    You are my hero and Roxy was an amazing mare, so sad she has passed. I cry each and every time I see this video and dream I could ever be this talented. My wish, my goal, is to someday be this good. Thank you for sharing your God given talents with the world.

  3. […] rider (Stacy Westfall) är dövstum och bara har tränat hästen i tre veckor. Detta dementeras av Stacy i hennes blogg. Hon pratar och hör alldeles utmärkt (när hon själv vill 😉 och hade tränat stoet Roxy över […]

  4. Kathleen Lindsey on December 2, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Hi Stacy, I have had three friends spread this deaf mute video in the past 2 days. I didn’t think it was true because I saw this video several years ago and had to look you up 😉
    I did a quick search and let my friends know you’re okay, and an awesome horse trainer!

  5. L Neri on December 2, 2012 at 8:30 am

    Loved watching that championship ride Stacy. So beautiful to see it.:).

  6. Jennifer on December 1, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    Hey Stacy , yep its me again , that video has just showed up everywhere again… You should be getting more hits again… I am glad you can talk and not def, cause when we get together I am ever so happy to make you wish u was def.. haha.. Have a great Christmas, Oh Yea will you be at RTH 2013 would love to see you again…

    • Donna on December 2, 2012 at 12:01 am

      YEP now she is no longer 20 but has rode the horse 20 days LOL POOR Stacy! Lets just say I got a lottle P O ed when my S.O. shared this video!

      Donna Artechi Perry
      November 24
      Nov 24, 2012 12:17am
      Girl on Horseback

      A deaf-mute girl on a horse that she has ridden for only THREE weeks!!, not to mention the song she picked out to dedicate to her deceased father! Listen to the announcer’s voice crack! The horse she is riding is not eve…See More
      — with Jessica Santa Cruz and 3 others.
      327,387Share

      • Stacy on December 5, 2012 at 6:50 am

        this crazy rumor just keeps growing!

      • William R. Shears on December 5, 2012 at 8:13 pm

        Every time I come across a (re-)post of this old video from a decade ago on Facebook, I comment with a correction about the “deaf-mute” error and post a link to the Westfall website so people can educate themselves. The skill is amazing enough without the trainer’s fictional handicap added.

  7. Dianna on December 1, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Hi, Stacy, a blogger friend of mine shared this video yesterday. Here’s a link to her post: http://theviewouthere.com/. I found your blog when another friend posted the link on her FB page, and it was the one stating the deaf/mute part., so I researched to find out for sure. The video is amazing!

  8. chichihlk on November 30, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Stacy, your ride is amazing! But as a Sign Language Interpreter for the Deaf in Columbus, Ohio (hello, neighbor!) I just wanted to share with you that the term “Mute” when referring to Deaf folks is both incorrect and offensive. “Mute” refers to the physical or sometimes psychological inability to speak. When someone loses their hearing- that does not affect their vocal chords in any way. Therefore, they CAN produce sounds. Profoundly Deaf folks often don’t sound like hearing folks when speaking but they CAN make vocal noises. The old term “Deaf and Dumb” was SUPER offensive but the term mute is also offensive.

    (I can’t believe it’s 2012 and that term is still out there! ugh!) I know you didn’t start any of this Deaf/not deaf nonsense but I just thought you might want to know the correct terminology and maybe you could correct people when it comes up.

    Thank you so much and your ride was amazing!! Very touching to watch.

    • Stacy on December 5, 2012 at 6:56 am

      Hello Neighbor! You can rest assured that I had nothing to do with adding the terms to the video and theirfore have no control over the terms that someone chose to use…If I could stop the terms and the circulating video I would! I tried stoping it over a year ago when it first came up but as the feather pillow illustration in the book describes it has gone out of control….because as you know everything you read online is true!lol, 😉

      • Grady Frazier on December 10, 2012 at 11:08 am

        I found the video on Facebook this morning, blew me away when I first read it. The link to it is:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151247520933901. Hope this helps you out. You still amaze me though!

      • Patricia Faye Conn on January 12, 2015 at 4:04 pm

        I would like to say only that I play your post everyday ( just about) I love horses and own one just like the you rode in the post, I imagine that I am you riding there! You are my inspiration and I love you & the gift that you have! I once rode like you,but I had a nervous break-down and have lost my courage to ride. I still have my love for them & feed & care for them , but can’t get back in the saddle. God Bless You! You Are Awesome! I would love to meet you!!! or talk to you

  9. Lynnae Schloneger on November 30, 2012 at 10:38 am

    Stacey….love you girl! The video with the deaf mute girl story is circulating again on facebook! Wish people would research first!

  10. Angie Ethridge on November 30, 2012 at 9:31 am

    Why do people do this? I mean what you and that horse were doing was amazing in itself. I really was not fazed by the part that you was deaf and mute. I just thought to myself….”you go girl”. Why do people have to dramatize everything to make it seem better when its good enough or great in the first place? LOL

  11. Morgan on November 30, 2012 at 4:56 am

    I have seen this video before.. and now that it has come around again I kinda chuckled with how the story had changed! You are an amazing rider with such grace. I am sorry that people have blotted your name with this. (Though most people who are deaf pretty much don’t talk so I think its odd that someone would combine deaf and mute.. ) 🙂 I look forward to reading your blog a little and hear of your adventures. There is always something to learn for other horsewomen! Morgan

    • Peter Murphy on January 16, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      Where did you get the notion that “…most people who are deaf pretty much don’t talk…”? I know plenty of deaf people who are positive chatter boxes. Most people (probably people like you) just don’t take the time to listen to them because their speech is sometimes difficult to understand. The second part of your sentence,”so I think its [sic] odd that someone would combine deaf and mute”, is equally insensitive. Being mute myself, I find your remarks to be in poor taste. I would rather converse with my horse, who has been listening to me for quite some time now. And, Stacy, there are ways to permanently remove this video from the Internet if you truly want to get it removed. Just sayin’.

  12. Sheila Westphal on November 29, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    Stacy, I loved the video and didn’t think you were deaf but the video is amazing. I have been following you for years. I have 2 young granddaugthers that are avid horsewomen. Oh by the way our last name is Westphal

  13. Rusty Woodbury on November 29, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    I had met a girl named stacy a few years back, I had a ranch in michigan, and she came for a visit.
    She was in fact deaf.
    Then i was sent your video, just today, by someone who had also met her.
    I , in my happiness that she had gone soo far posted it on a forum i belong to.
    Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be you, and not her…(not dissapointment, just several layers of egg on my face)
    You are amazing, and I cried when I saw that video..
    The role you play in showing what can be acomplished, is a great thing to share…
    The girl I met is indeed still raising Quarter horses, and her acomplishemnts are amazing too…
    I just want to thank you for opening my eyes, and reminding me once again, to do my homework…

  14. missfaye on November 29, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    Very strange that the Internet would say that you are Deaf and Mute when you are not!! I hope that people realize that “Deaf” and “Mute” are two mutually exclusive things… one can be Deaf without being Mute, and one can be Mute without being Deaf… also “Deaf and Dumb” is so 1800’s! Deaf people are not dumb…. and Mute people are not dumb either. (the term “dumb” used to mean “mute”). *sigh*! But wow amazing video of you riding the horse like that! My friend just asked me if she thought it was really possible to ride a horse like that… I don’t see why not!

  15. Len Ellis on November 29, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    Wether Stacy had any disabilities at all or not doesn’t matter. She did an outstanding job of guiding this horse. She’s riding with nothing…just as if she seen the horse in the field and climbed up on him…guiding him by pulling on his man or tapping him on the side…She was able to guide the horse through trust, love, and above all…RESPECT….goes to show respect goes a long way…m/

  16. Dixie McClinchey on November 29, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    Never even read it, just watched the vid of you and CRIED like a baby!! What a beautiful thing! Have been reposting it as: We. Are. One.
    Can certainly sympathize with NOT wanting to hear the kids sometimes!! LOL Amazing Video!!

  17. […] […]

  18. Karen Stubbsy Stubbs on November 28, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    Stacey, even if you were a deaf mute, a person who can ride a horse like you do and be totally at one together is amazing. I saw you were using your body to control the horse and there are not many that can do that with speach and and full tack! Hats off to you – you have a special gift.

  19. Ginny Kerr on November 28, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    The riding and the relationship with the horse is real… that’s more than good enough for me!

  20. Kim Dickinson on November 28, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    I also have been correcting people who have posted the link with this description. Credit should be given where credit is due. One thing that was put in that false description did make me chuckle though. How on earth does a deaf and mute girl possibly pick out a song when she can’t hear it?

  21. tracy on November 28, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    A very stressed horse indeed!Hence all the tongue&tail flicking!Why did you have to kick the poor horse to make it bow?Not a good video at all!!!Im sure you will only delete this though so it will only remain as a wonderful tribute to you.Once again all about the humans kudos with little thought to the horse!!!

    • Alice on December 5, 2012 at 11:24 am

      Tracy, it is better to stay quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Your post shows your lack of experience with horses. Tongue licking indicates the horse is listening to the trainer. Tail wringing is NOT always negative– it can be a sign of enthusiasm, as Popcorn demonstrates in Stacy’s video of him playing in the mud, tail swishing wildly. I feel sorry for whatever has hurt you so that you would post such a nasty comment.

      • Laura Scott on December 11, 2013 at 10:04 am

        Thanks for saving me the trouble of explaining, Alice! Tracy obviously has never had any experience with horses.

    • Joshua Graça on December 5, 2012 at 11:31 am

      Obviously you know nothing about horses. I’ve grown up around horses, and watched them play with each other, and that tongue licking and tail flicking means happy. The horse was enjoying the ride. And as for the kicking, the amount of pressure applied by Stacy’s foot is about the equivalent to tapping your shoulder for a horse. Learn a bit about horses before you go criticizing riders.

    • Kenady on December 5, 2012 at 9:32 pm

      Your lack of experience with horses shows greatly in that comment. It was definetly uncalled for. I’m 15 & know better than to comment something like that, especially if I know nothing of the subject.

    • Joan on December 6, 2012 at 8:50 am

      Tracy. Have you met Stacy? I had the privilege of attending a clinic with her. It was a life changing weekend for me. She has more compassion for animals and humans then anyone I have ever met. I will never forget my time with her and the opportunity to meet her whole wonderful family. I believe she is truly one of the kindest people I know. I hope you get to know her yourself.

    • Chad on December 9, 2012 at 10:59 pm

      Your funny Tracy, and obviously know nothing of horse riding, or horses themselves. Here is a link to help you in your learning experiance: http://www.horse-training-basics.com/horse-body-language.html

    • Christi Upson on December 10, 2012 at 4:17 pm

      I’m sure others have replied to your post that the horse is not stressed. The tongue licking is a “thought process” result, not stress. (Also noticed that Stacy said she’d been giving the mare peppermints prior to the ride) Tail flicking can be a stress indicator, but, you’ll notice it only happens on the back from the slide. Most horses do not like to back, but do it anyway. Very sorry you didn’t enjoy the video as most people did that understand horse training, or, just beautiful riding.

    • Shimmerwing on December 10, 2012 at 4:28 pm

      ooooooooh, Tracy. What an unhappy person you must be to have made such a comment. Are you really unhappy, or are you jealous? This is a nasty comment from you in more ways than one. The ride was beautifully executed by both rider and horse. IMHO you owe an apology, BIG TIME, not only to Ms. Westfall AND her horse, but to people who have read your caustic remarks. Remarks like these are intended to hurt, and therefore are not needed. I hope you are ashamed of yourself. I also hope you are big enough to apologize to Ms. Westfall…..though I doubt you are.

    • Anna on August 10, 2013 at 12:41 pm

      before being so critical, maybe you should research the topic first. I’m not a professional trainer, just a life long horse person, but I know the licking and chewing is not a sign of stress, but a sign of willingness to comply to what’s being asked. Check up on horse body language. And there is a vast difference between a tap to a foreleg and a kick. Do you need glasses?

    • Peggy Reimer on October 17, 2013 at 2:41 am

      As a horse trainer, I had to respond to “Tracy’s” post. This horse was not stressed, or it would not have responded to the cues and would have fully rebelled with no bridle or saddle on. This horse and human obviously have a terrific personal bond of love and respect for each other, or this no-equipment ride would not have been possible. You are clueless about horse (or any animal) training if you think those little cueing bumps were some sort of horrible kicking abuse! And in response to your comment about the “…tongue and tail flicking…” A horse moves it’s mouth, tongue, and jaw when they are feeling acquiescence to the requests of a human. Tail switching is often a normal thing for a highly-trained & sensitive horse that is enjoying what it is doing as well. Some people are WAY to fluffy about horses. Horses are not puppies and kitties. Do some research…Get a grip. Stacy is a truly talented and caring horse trainer that with patience and love and respect for the horse, able to work with it and convince it to do amazing things! All you have shown anyone who works with horses, is how ignorant you are…seriously…read up on horse behavior and training! As an aside, you must be an unhappy and sad little person to post such a nasty and negative comment.

  22. Beverly Knight on November 28, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    I saw this on facebook and forwarded it to my brother who is deaf. He was the one that said you weren’t deaf. I wondered when it said “deaf mute” a term that is rarely if ever used in the deaf community any more. It is an amazing performance anyway. Thanks!

  23. Kebgal on September 26, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    I crossed over Ocean from Europe and I was lucky enough to attend her wonderful demonstration with Can Can Lena if I remember the name of the horse. A wonderful Horsewoman full of grace and finesse. A winner at Road To The Horse

  24. carla 14A on September 14, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    I THRILLED 2@ THE 2006 “LIVE LIKE YOU RE DYING” VERSION REPEATEDLY A N D THEN,
    NOTICED STACY USING SIGN LANGUAGE @ THE BEGINNING..AS THE TITLE IS DISPLAYED…CORRECT? PERHAPS T H A T S WHY SOME ONE EARLY ON ASSUMED WRONGLY… I THOUGHT WOW THAT HORSE HAS A WONDERFUL SENSE OF TIMING WITH THE MUSIC ! & STACY IS A M A Z I N G !!!! MY HEART OPENS EACH TIME I VIEW THIS……& AGAIN WHEN I THINK OF THE APPRECIATIVE PEOPLE I’VE SENT IT TO. THANK YOU 4 THE INSPIRATION & THE CONFIDENCE YOU DISPLAY & REMIND ME I CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE TOO & TO TIM MCGRAW 4 THE GREAT SONG STUCK IN THE BACK OF MY MIND OFTEN !!! I LOVE BOTH

  25. carla fortina on September 14, 2012 at 11:05 pm

    I THRILLED 2@ THE 2006 “LIVE LIKE YOU RE DYING” VERSION REPEATEDLY A N D THEN
    NOTICED STACY USING SIGN LANGUAGE @ THE BEGINNING… PERHAPS T H A T S WHY SOME ONE EARLY ON ASSUMED WRONGLY… I THOUGHT WOW THAT HORSE HAS A WONDERFUL SENSE OF TIMING WITH THE MUSIC ! & STACY IS A M A Z I N G !!!! MY HEART OPENS EACH TIME I VIEW THIS……& AGAIN WHEN I THINK OF THE APPRECIATIVE PEOPLE I’VE SENT IT TO. THANK YOU 4 THE INSPIRATION & TO TIM MCGRAW 4 THE GREAT SONG STUCK IN THE BACK OF MY MIND OFTEN !!!

  26. Jessica Moore on September 4, 2012 at 11:34 am

    I received this video from my mom who got it from someone else. I am a certified American Sign Language Interpreter, have been for 14 years. I become upset at people who are ignorant saying Deaf Mute. Deaf people are NOT mute. They can talk, and make noise with their voice. No one removes a Deaf persons’ vocal cords.
    For Carli Heringer who said “How could you be a nationally known clinician if you couldn’t hear or speak?” and for others who may not know, Deaf people can do anything but hear. There are lots of Deaf people who ride horses, (I have seen them, they train horses ect) are doctors-yes! as in M.D as in surgeons. They have PhD’s, Master degrees. That is why there are interpreters. The Deaf person uses ASL and the interpreter becomes their voice when needed.
    When I first saw this video I totally believed that Stacy was Deaf. I found out she wasn’t because I went on a search to find out where the term “mute” had been added to educate people that this is not true and is a very rude thing to say.
    I found out here that is she not! Good grief. Why do people find the need to embellish on such a talented person?

    • Kim on November 29, 2012 at 10:51 am

      Well Said!

    • Marilyn on October 2, 2015 at 10:05 am

      Thank you, for correcting the improper use of “deaf and mute”. My daughter is is deaf and I cringed every time I read ” deaf and mute” in the post. Thank you

  27. Krist Johnson on July 19, 2012 at 6:47 am

    I know you are not deaf nor mute, but I do have to say that every time I watch this video it brings tears to my eyes. Being that I lost my dad from cance in 99 and my mom to cancer in 2009 and the face my first love was horses. This just gives me chills. You are amazing! I can only hope to be a horseman (woman) like you one day!

  28. cheryl graham on July 5, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    What a load of sh*t! Stacey is an amazing and truly GIFTED horsewoman. However she is NOT MUTE or DEAF, and neither has she been riding for 3 weeks. It annoys me so much that this can be passed around to millions of people untruthfully, true horse people will know as soon as they see the video that this is nonsense ,give them and Stacy some credit.

  29. Warner Trest on May 31, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    Stacy, you are truly gifted!

  30. Vicky Edwards on May 7, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Never believed it for a minute Stacy, the deaf/mute thing. Just shook my head when I heard the “rumor”. People, gesh…They say anything, and whats worse is, people believe what they hear, or read. The internet is so full of truth isnt it, and so amazing…lol

  31. Erin/IAm on May 2, 2012 at 9:27 am

    Love that you brought this up…I Am not either, either, but I do like to use ‘Sign’ in communicating with animals because of the expressive body language it brings out in the human, while suppressing their usual need to raise voices. Works nice across a field, too. Just think…You probably caught a market of horse lovers that no one else bothered with till now(?).

    You made history with that video, Girl…How verrry cool is that?!?:D Blessed be, Roxie…You really should make a movie about “The Baby Doll”…She’s part of that history making, yes? And she didn’t need to be a War Horse, or a racing phenom…just a partner in Life101.

    Sendin’ the love to you & yours…Good Journey!:)

  32. Mary Sue Faries on April 28, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    What a tremendous loss it would be for all of us if the “mute” claim were true!! I attended most all of your clinics at the Columbus OH Equine Affaire and you are truly blessed with the gift of verbal communication!! Adding little snippets of personal stories and humor in your presentations really captivates your audience and, therefore, more people are reached with your awesome message of respect for these beautiful creatures!

  33. Robyn Truax on February 10, 2012 at 8:48 am

    What a BEAUTIFUL mare!!! I was so entranced by her form that it took me a while to get into the performance. My condolences on your loss, but in this case, I can certainly see where you would be of the “better to have loved and lost” camp!
    Only the good die young! Love Robyn (a horse lover, too)

  34. Sofia on February 9, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Hey, i have to.. the video is awesome. But thats not why im writing here. “How could you be a well known clinician if you were deaf and mute?” I want to reply to those comments: The same way someone speaking a different language would! With a translator! There is such a thing as sign language, sure, involving a translator with slow the communication down but people – you’re watching a girl ride a welltrained horse bareback and bridleless.. and still can’t see how someone deaf and mute can communicate?

  35. Kay on January 7, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    You are an example of perfection indeed! Sorry about those nasty rumors about being deaf. You are so close to perfection and have little boys to prove it. I know the boys will be trained to be successful like you, because you put your heart into everything you do. I so admire YOU!

  36. Greg Beavens on December 9, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Stacy ! I liked your riding the first time I seen it ! Why would someone put you down like that ? You know you inspired me with that ride ! My Girlfriend We have 2 arabians ,2 mustangs ,and a quarter horse ! I was married been around horses all my life ! I watch that video I am doing something special for her next year ! I am having a donation benefit to A rescue and retraining and rehomeing of horses on her birthday! She Loves her horses ! Trust me ! Well Stacy her dad died on her birthday ! They had to cancel her birthday party! So everyone I want to make this the Best party in the world ! Every one is welcome all money goes to the rescue ! Her one horse was
    shot called Witten ! So I came up with this from you Stacy ! Witten is ok! Just rode him the other day! Looks Like I got 33 horses so far 😉 I set the day all are coming ! Thanks for giving me the insprision no joke ! You like my girl trust me ! Thanks Greg

  37. Bill Taylor on December 1, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    Stacy, I was sent your video and after watching it with tears in my eyes, did a little search to find out about you. I am glad you can hear and speak and hope you do both often, but not too much that your husband acts deaf or mute 🙂 Thank you for the beauty of this video and of the others I’ve found on line of you.

  38. Pat Bennett on November 27, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    First of all, I really enjoyed the video that was sent to me by a friend. I decided to learn a little more about you and discovered the truth before sending this message on…. I love what you told about Madonna’s book….. As I have always told my children, “it is much easier to tell the truth than to perpetuate a lie,”
    The vision of picking up all those feathers really sends a message

    • Valerie Netto on April 26, 2013 at 10:23 am

      Interestingly the story about the feathers was taught to me by mother 55 years or so ago. It was in a story from The Unity School, Unity Village in St Louis Mo. So Madonna did not come up with that on her own.

      • Valerie Netto on April 26, 2013 at 10:31 am

        Madonna’s version is a variation of an old story. Not that it matters. And the video is still phenomenal. Stacy you are an inspiration to all, and a huge asset to the horse industry. I am proud to have you representing us women!

  39. Ricki Hinrichs on October 28, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    Stacy, I love that 2006 video so much I’ve had it on my desktop for the past couple years and was surprised to see the new ‘deaf and mute’ spin. The beauty of that ride brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it and I’d like to thank you for bringing so many smiles to myself and my friends. I cannot understand why adding ‘deaf and mute’ would make that ride any better.

    • Stacy on October 29, 2011 at 10:59 am

      Thank you. I don’t know who, or why, that was added. My best guess is because of a spin on ‘communication with out words’ but even that is quite a leap to making me deaf and mute! Imagine what those people who don’t know the truth think when they see me advertised as the guest speaker at an event or selling DVD’s!

      • Jayne Galbraith on December 5, 2012 at 9:11 am

        People seem to be bored with there own being so the faberication begins. It is those who need to find something to do constructive. Truely An Amazing and Inspiring ride.

      • Paula on August 12, 2013 at 1:08 pm

        Stacy I just watched this and shared it and I am sorry that someone is spreading a lie STILL. Nonetheless the video was wonderful and it was obvious you and the horse had great communication and understanding regardless. Thank you for having such a love for horses and treating them so well.

      • Dana on February 6, 2014 at 12:09 pm

        Stacy, that was amazing! i appoligise for posting your video with the false information, however i have corrected it! it is amazing your video and how people can really change things! Love it!

      • Joanne on February 28, 2014 at 7:28 pm

        All I can say Stacy is that you are an amazing horse women & you know your stuff. I have seen you on other occasions & I love your performances.Your Video of you riding bareback was amazing to watch. The bond you & your horse had was so neat to see. I guess you could tell anyone who seen this back when it happened that it’s a miracle you can talk & hear. It is kinda of funny why this sort of thing happens. Your right though do some research before you believe everything you read. The bond you had with your horse is what I would love to have with mine. I think it may almost be there. I thought we were close until I had to move her to a new place after 15 yrs. in the same place. We have become even closer as we had to count on each other even more. So that is so neat.Thanks for all you do with horses & I love the training of Jack . I have been watching that to see what you do with him in each stage. Very neat. We are always learning as each horse is different. Joanne

    • Elaine on June 26, 2012 at 10:00 am

      I knew it was all for money, not for her nor the horse but for the people running the show. It doesn’t matter to me how much money people have or use lies to become rich. Rich, in my eyes is peace and love and this video clearing shows peace and love and that’s why I just love it. The lies certainly did not make it any better. I have an 18 year old cat that others have witnessed her intelligence and understanding of love and touch. We all need that and it does not require money. I stay alive because my beautiful cat still lives and wants ‘touch’. This has gone astray with cell phones and texting. Elaine Lajoie

  40. Todd M. Trzcinski on October 23, 2011 at 1:26 am

    I can’t believe how quickly the tears well up in my eyes every time I see this.Having survived cancer,a bitter seperation and divorce,and the death of my horse “TANK”,this video has meaning to me that words cannot fully express.

  41. Carli Heringer on October 12, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    I couldn’t help but laugh a little when I read the description of the video! Not because it was funny, but just because it was so inaccurate. Someone has a very large imagination! Where do people come up with this stuff?? How could you be a nationally known clinician if you couldn’t hear or speak? I didn’t even know these claims were being made, but I’m glad you straightened it out. ( =

    • Libbyanne on November 29, 2012 at 9:56 am

      http://www.deafis.org/faq/doctor.php This is how you can be a nationally known clinician without hearing or speaking 🙂 I’m happy to know Stacy can communicate without the challenges that many Deaf individuals face, but many individuals are coming to this blog to find out if she is in fact Deaf, so before we spread more feathers about limitations placed on Deaf individuals, lets do our research. 🙂

  42. Judy Mentzer on October 10, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    I too received that video from a relative & actually chuckled as I was amazed how the interenet often mimics the old “telephone game” we used to play as kids in changing the truth of stories. I promptly corrected his notion & he was most happy to hear that you were living without those restrictions on your life & hopefully corrected the notion with others as well. Judy Mentzer

  43. patricia woodruff on October 9, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Hi Stacy, I was not even worried about the DEAF MUTE part, I am just looking forward to you making a FULL LENGTH MOVIE about you life and how you began your life with horses, after all, Penny Tweedy made a movie about the life of Secretariat and it was very well done. Actually I was working at the Garden State Park Race Track while he was on the grounds and racing. You have thousands of fans and I am one of them so let’s get on with the show!!! Does anyone agree with me? Do you think Stacy making a movie about her life would be a GREAT idea?

    • Marilyn Reed on October 14, 2011 at 12:49 pm

      ABSOLUTELY, CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT,WOULD EVEN BUY IT!!!!!!!

    • lynda kirkness on December 18, 2011 at 12:53 pm

      Yes I want to see a movie. Please consider it.

    • Michelle sessums on November 30, 2012 at 7:42 pm

      I sure do love her

    • Donna Specht on December 5, 2012 at 11:16 am

      Absolutely! Would love to see a movie about Stacy’s life!

    • kelly beck on December 6, 2012 at 7:08 am

      it would be a GREAT idea <3

  44. greenaustinrealtor on October 9, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    I knew the truth was stretched quite a bit when I saw this going viral accross the Internet again. It’s sad that some people feel the need to do this. Your performance is fabulous without these “add ons” of deaf and mute LOL!!

    • Michelle Largay on September 25, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      I agree that your performance alone merited the video to go viral without the other fictious rumors. You are truly amazing and you have quickly become someone I admire and I poured over everything you have done. I can’t afford the 9 DVD set yet, but I’m watching everything you post on YouTube. Thank you for all you do to help us all learn about our horses.

  45. Ann Barosh on October 9, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    I too, cry, every time I see this video. I got so mad when I received it again over the internet, and it was saying Stacy was a deaf mute. I immediately added my comments that this was not true, and forwarded it, also correcting it sending it back to the person that sent it to me.

  46. Sigrid Brannan on October 8, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    Aren’t urban legends an amazing thing? They take on a life of their own and even those that seem positive are still diminishing in an odd way Thanks for clarifying and for sharing your remarkable skills with the world. This video moves me every time I watch it. I can only imagine the hours and hours and tremendous skill and consistency it took to achieve the communication you clearly have with this wonderful horse. You inspire me to keep after my goals with my own horse. (and life!)

  47. Heather on October 8, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    This was forwarded to me and was stated that you were deaf and mute….just so you know I quickly corrected the sender and the one that forwarded it to her. She thanked me for letting her know the truth and apologized for forwarding it on. I just told her about your website and blog if she wanted to check you out so she could see for her self. I don’t know why someone would start such a thing. I do love the video and so did my friend that sent it to me, she is not a horse person but truly did love to watch it.

  48. Lori Johnstone on October 8, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    This message is also circulating in French. I’ve received it twice from francophone friends on Facebook and I took the time to respond, to clarify that you are neither deaf nor mute and to give your name so that they might search for more accurate information about you. Despite the falsehoods that have become attached to it, the video itself is absolutely amazing and takes my breath away every time I see it.

  49. Carol Lewis Franklin on September 27, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    i cry every time i see
    this video

    • Amanda Wicklum on November 28, 2012 at 10:14 pm

      I always cry, too. So touching.

    • Dianna P on November 30, 2012 at 7:44 am

      Me too! I can’t help it, the song just tugs at your heart and the performance is incredible!

    • karen anderson on February 27, 2014 at 8:41 pm

      This video is so amazing! I cry too! It makes me see what type relationship can be formed between horse and human–if you want it! how smart horses are!

  50. Catherine Housman on September 25, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    Thank you for the clarification, Stacey. My instincts told me that that part wasn’t true, so I did a bit of investigation before forwarding the video. Still absolutely amazing and beautiful, however. No embellishment necessary! You are doing good work. Getting our animals (and children) to behave and follow direction with love, not fear, is so important. It contributes to a more peaceful and loving world. Bless you! And thanks for the book recommendation – sounds like a good one.

    • Stacy on November 29, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      Incredible!! Couldn’t be any more special if you were deaf!

    • Patty on December 3, 2012 at 11:39 am

      Me too I was puzzled. I was noting I has seen video before and it is an amazing one. But the rest was news to me and glad it isn’t true.

    • Cyndee Collins on December 5, 2012 at 8:50 pm

      I too am glad for the clarification! It does not take away anything at all at how absolutely amazing you are with horses! I am so in awe of what you do. I haven’t read enough to see if you have any published material but I would love to learn from you. I waited 50 years to get my first horse – I am 63 and I so look forward to working with him. I retire at the end of the year and will have lots of time to spend.

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