Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall: Recent Episodes
Stacy Westfall
Stacy Westfall teaches people how to understand, enjoy and successfully train their own horses. In her podcast, she shares all of her knowledge in her area of expertise: horses. She offers insights into issues that riders face in their own minds as well as the way they are viewing the challenges and goals they have with horses. She shares tips on becoming a better rider as well as a better leader for your horse. Discover how you can understand things from your horses point of view so that you can enjoy the learning process with your horse. When you are able to understand what your horse is experiencing mentally and physically the process of learning new things becomes more enjoyable. Your goals may be showing, trail riding or simply enjoying life with horses-all of which Stacy enjoys herself. She shares her own struggles and successes to allow listeners to understand that everyone experiences ups and downs. Through her podcast, website, YouTube channel and social media Stacy answers questions about: Fear, when to sell a horse, goal setting, safety, ground work, trailer loading, lead changes, reining, spins, stops, western dressage, ranch riding, when to get help, lessons, clinics and improving your safety, success and enjoyment of horses.
In this episode, Stacy shares why she's taking a winter break from the podcast after seven years of weekly episodes. She talks about stepping into the role of student again—traveling, taking lessons in new disciplines, and learning alongside the horses she's trained. Stacy also explains how watching her horses make their own connections, like Willow linking a dressage exercise to the spin, deepens her understanding and shapes her next steps.
Key takeaways:
– Why taking time to learn from a new perspective can strengthen your partnership with your horse – How seasoned horses often reveal connections between disciplines long before we see them – The value of creating space to regroup, reset, and return with clarity – How you can stay connected while the podcast is on break—and how to share your feedback for future episodes
This episode offers a thoughtful pause before the next chapter. Stacy invites listeners to revisit past episodes, stay connected through her website and email list, and share what they'd like to hear more of when the podcast returns.
In this episode, Stacy explains how teaching a horse to respond to more than one cue—whether that's leading and sending, or using reins, legs, and voice—builds understanding that holds up anywhere. The strength comes from having multiple ways to do things.
Key takeaways:
- Why relying on one cue or method can limit your horse's understanding
- How variety in cues creates confidence and consistency
- How deeper understanding shows up in both groundwork and riding
This episode explores how developing multiple ways to communicate strengthens both horse and rider—creating clearer responses, better focus, and true understanding.
This episode explores why moments of discomfort are not only normal but necessary—for both horses and riders—as they grow and learn together. Stacy explains how recognizing discomfort as part of the process changes the way we approach training and respond to our horses.
Key takeaways: – Discomfort doesn't always signal that something is wrong—it's often the sign that learning is happening. – Horses "ask questions" through movement, and our ability to stay calm helps them find answers. – Riders often want certainty to avoid causing stress, but growth requires a stretch beyond the comfort zone. – Recognizing when you need new skills—or outside guidance—transforms frustration into clarity.
This episode examines how accepting discomfort as a normal part of learning builds resilience, trust, and understanding—both in yourself and in your horse.
This episode explores what hesitation at halter pressure really means—whether you're starting a young horse or checking the foundation of an older one. Stacy explains why the horse deserves to understand pressure from straight forward beforebeing tied, and how to safely prepare for the moment when the wall will only "speak" through halter pressure.
Key takeaways: – The random "jog-off test" reveals whether horses truly understand halter pressure or just follow patterns and extra cues – Lunging with inside turns creates safe, controlled opportunities to introduce straight-forward pressure before tying – Common handler habits—walking back, switching to driving cues, or adding tools—delay true learning about halter pressure – Two predictable reactions to sudden pressure show whether a horse is prepared for tying or practicing unsafe responses
This episode examines how testing halter pressure understanding builds trust, safety, and clarity. It's especially valuable for riders whose horses sometimes lag, brace, or pull back—reminding us that revisiting these preschool lessons can reveal and repair missing links in any horse's training.
This episode explores how a horse's lightness can quietly fade long after the "preschool" stage—and how that process often begins in the smallest, most overlooked moments of handling. Using Baby Whisper's first haltering lessons as a lens, Stacy shows how early experiences with pressure and release shape a horse's lifelong feel, and how similar patterns appear in mature horses that have learned to lean or resist.
Key takeaways: – Lightness isn't something added later—it's created, or lost, from the very first moments of contact – Horses become heavy when we stop noticing where release actually happens – Even two pounds of unnoticed pressure on a lead rope can reshape a horse's expectations – True refinement begins by returning to the body, not the halter
This episode examines how lightness develops—and how it disappears—through the rider's timing, awareness, and feel. Whether you're leading, riding, or refining, it reveals why every conversation with your horse begins with how you release.
This episode explores how bend can be developed through the horse's body—beginning in the shoulders and hips and flowing forward to the head and neck.
Key takeaways: – The head and neck often reflect what's happening in the shoulders and hips – Hear how the same draw exercise used with foals applies to a 17-year-old horse on the lunge line – Understand how moving the shoulders and hips creates the bend riders often try to fix with the rein – Discover how the foundation seen in groundwork carries through to bridleless riding, where the body leads and the head follows
This episode examines how developing bend through the body gives meaning to the aids from your hands, legs, and tools—creating clarity that lasts from a horse's first lessons to its most advanced work.
The earliest lessons in a horse's life often echo through every stage that follows—and understanding them can transform how you work with horses of any age. In this first episode of the Preschool of Horsemanship series, Stacy Westfall shares what her foal Whisper taught her about curiosity, space, and timing, and how those same principles apply whether you're leading, lunging, or riding. What begins as a foal's natural curiosity becomes the key to creating willing, connected responses throughout a horse's lifetime.
Key takeaways: – Curiosity is the foundation of learning for both horse and rider – Stepping back can spark more engagement than stepping forward – Recognizing push, neutral, and draw energy reveals unseen conversations – The earliest lessons aren't about control—they're about invitation
This episode helps you recognize how curiosity and draw energy influence every interaction—so your horse begins to look to you, not away from you—building clearer communication and connection at every stage of horsemanship.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how the challenges of age and physical effort intersect with the stories we tell ourselves. From running a 10K at 51 to coaching riders of all ages, she reveals how separating mental resistance from physical reality opens new possibilities—both in the saddle and in life.
Key takeaways: – The body presents real challenges, but the mind often adds hidden limits – Physical strain can reveal the power of choosing a different story – Decision points become clearer when you separate thoughts from facts – Growth is possible at every decade, but only if you keep asking what’s possible
This episode examines how aging, physical effort, and mindset weave together. It’s for anyone who has felt the tug-of-war between body and belief and wants to see how shifting perspective can change what feels possible.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall unpacks three key topics that shape both riding and life: goal setting without overwhelm, success defined from within, and the mindset you bring before the moment begins.
Key takeaways:
- What it means to set a goal without letting it take over your thinking
- Why measuring success goes beyond ribbons, scores, or outside opinions
- How the mindset you choose beforehand shifts the entire experience
- Why concentrated moments magnify lessons already present in daily rides
This episode examines how compressed experiences reveal the deeper patterns in horse and rider, offering lessons that carry far beyond a single ride.
What makes some riders succeed where others stall out? In this episode, Stacy Westfall unpacks Tony Robbins’ model of state, story, and strategy and shows how lasting progress comes from more than just finding the right plan. She explains how success often depends on the unseen layers that shape choices in the arena and beyond.
Key takeaways: – Chasing strategies while ignoring state and story leads to frustration and stalled progress – The story you tell yourself directly colors how you interpret and apply strategy – Your emotional state sets the tone for both your ride and your horse’s response – Shifting state and story first allows the right strategies to actually work
This episode examines how the interplay of state, story, and strategy influences both horse training and personal growth. Strategy gives you the steps, story gives you the meaning, and state gives you the power to use them.
When riders add layers of communication, the line between offering support and making a correction can blur. In this episode, Stacy Westfall shows how the same physical aids—pick up, guide, release—can create very different experiences for the horse depending on the rider’s intent and timing.
Key takeaways: – What makes steady support feel so different from a late correction – Why the same aid can either build confidence or create tension – How horses reveal whether they’re guided or corrected – What riders must notice to make guidance clear
This episode explores how horses interpret the difference between guidance and correction, and what that means for riders who want to communicate with more clarity, reduce tension, and build trust.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how a simple cue system can evolve into a conversation with your horse. Through real examples from her own riding and her students, Stacy shows how anticipation, contradictions, and “mistakes” often signal effort and learning rather than resistance.
Key takeaways:
- What looks like a problem may actually be proof your horse is trying to apply what you’ve taught
- Anticipation isn’t something to eliminate, but a tool that can reveal missing pieces in your cue system
- Strengthening one cue often exposes weaknesses in another—this is part of balanced communication
- Viewing feedback from your horse as part of a loop transforms training into a two-way conversation
This episode examines how shifting your perspective—allows you to recognize effort, guide balance, and deepen the connection with your horse.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall explains how survival riding develops, why it often goes unrecognized, and what keeps riders stuck in that cycle. Drawing on stories from her own childhood as well as patterns she sees in adult riders, Stacy reveals the two main roots of survival riding and why avoiding the uncomfortable work only makes the problem grow.
Key takeaways: – Survival riding often begins with not knowing what you don’t know, leaving riders unprepared for escalation – Guilt and fear in adult riders can keep them from practicing the very skills that would prevent runaway moments – Short-term safety choices can mask long-term gaps in communication and control – Building advanced skills creates readiness and dissolves the need for “white-knuckle” riding
This episode examines how survival riding shows up, why it persists, and how skill-building replaces scraping by with confidence. It’s especially relevant for riders who recognize moments of barely holding it together and want to move toward deliberate, prepared riding.
When things are “kind of working,” it’s tempting to stay the course—even if you’re not fully satisfied. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the hidden resistance that keeps riders from making changes, even when they know it could improve safety, connection, or performance. Drawing from examples across different riding levels, Stacy reveals why rocking the boat feels harder when nothing is terribly wrong…and why that’s exactly when change matters most.
Key takeaways: – Feeling dissatisfied but resisting change often comes from fearing the discomfort it will create—both for you and your horse – Small, untracked “1% improvements” can mask backward steps if you’re not measuring progress over time – Avoiding disruption at home can lead to bigger problems when surprises happen on the trail or in the show ring – Off-season is the best time for deliberate skill-building, even if it temporarily disturbs your “polished” picture
This episode examines the mental and emotional side of choosing change—especially when it means creating short-term resistance for long-term gain. It’s for riders who want to move beyond “good enough” and step into deliberate, measurable progress with their horses.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall offers three distinct ways to think about how horses learn to handle surprise. Drawing from her experiences with horses like Willow, she explains how layered training builds connection, responsiveness, and the ability to recover quickly when the unexpected happens.
Key takeaways:
- A horse’s recovery depends on the quality of connection already built through shared attention
- What may feel like micromanagement at first becomes the seamless responsiveness of an experienced team
- Rhythm teaches predictability, but random prepares the horse for real-life surprises
- Horses can be trained to handle inconsistencies—not by avoiding them, but by making them part of the conversation
This episode examines how training shapes a horse’s response to the unexpected—and how your mindset, habits, and choices all play a role in what unfolds next.
Most riders only think about safety after something goes wrong. But what if the most effective way to feel secure—and actually be safe—is to prepare before a problem ever shows up? In this episode, Stacy explains why proactive riding builds not just safety, but also clarity, emotional stability, and dependable habits that hold up under pressure.
Key takeaways:
– Waiting for a problem before you teach a skill puts both you and your horse at risk – Practicing “the answer” ahead of time builds clarity – Emotional tone during training shapes long-term rider and horse behavior – Safety is not reactive—it’s the result of consistent, intentional preparation
This episode demonstrates how teaching the answer before it’s “needed” can transform your confidence, your horse’s trust, and your ability to respond clearly when the unexpected happens. It’s a practical reminder that true safety comes from preparation—not luck.
If you’ve ever hesitated mid-ride, wondering how to acknowledge your horse without losing momentum, you’re not alone. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the often-overlooked skill of pausing in motion—a subtle shift that turns mechanical movements into a connected dance between horse and rider.
Key takeaways:
– Long pauses work in early training, but can unintentionally disrupt rhythm and clarity – A well-timed pause within the movement builds engagement and subtle responsiveness – Push and pull energies are essential, but the space between them creates true connection – Learning to pause without stopping allows your horse to stay mentally present and curious
This episode examines the art of timing and suspension across groundwork, trailer loading, and collection. It’s designed for riders who want to move beyond mechanics and create seamless communication through feel, timing, and the power of a purposeful pause.
Most riders want a focused horse—but many unknowingly skip the steps required to develop it. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores four common reasons riders don’t actively teach focus, and how this omission affects connection, performance, and safety.
Key takeaways:
– Some riders don’t believe focus is teachable—or even possible—and assume it’s just a fixed trait – Many confuse physical obedience with mental engagement, ignoring signs of distraction – “Good enough” behavior often hides a lack of real focus, which unravels under pressure – Riders frequently wait until the horse is overwhelmed before trying to teach focus—when it’s too late
This episode examines how small oversights in daily work can lead to bigger issues in new environments or under stress. It provides riders with the awareness to identify subtle distractions and the tools to create more mentally present, engaged horses—long before they “need it.”
Checking in on your goals mid-year might feel uncomfortable—especially if you’ve lost track of them or suspect you’re not where you hoped to be. But that discomfort holds valuable clues. In this episode, Stacy Westfall shares why she used to resist mid-year reviews, what finally changed her mind, and how looking honestly at where you are now can realign you with what matters most.
In this episode:
- Discover why forgetting your goals or avoiding progress checks signals a deeper problem with your approach
- Learn the difference between changing your plan because it got hard versus finding a genuinely better path
- Explore the "time travel" technique that helps you make decisions with clarity and confidence
- Understand how emotions sabotage your willingness to look at facts and what to do about it
This episode demonstrates how a simple mid-year pause can transform scattered efforts into focused progress. Whether you're a goal-setter who's lost momentum or someone who typically avoids goal-setting altogether, you'll discover practical strategies for staying connected to what matters most without the guilt and overwhelm that often derail good intentions.
Striving for precision too early in training often backfires—not because correctness is wrong, but because perfection adds pressure. In this episode, Stacy shares how choosing to leave something slightly off, or “almost right,” can actually lead to greater clarity and softer communication. Using a real-time groundwork session with her mare Luna, Stacy illustrates how intentional imbalance builds understanding without triggering tension.
Key takeaways:
– Aiming for perfect balance too soon often creates tension in both horse and rider – Allowing small, chosen “mistakes” can give horses space to problem-solve – Overcorrecting sends mixed signals and creates a trapped feeling for the horse – Progress comes from subtle repetition, not dramatic gear changes
This episode examines how allowing “almost right” moments helps horses and riders stay mentally and physically relaxed while learning. Ideal for riders who find themselves overthinking, micromanaging, or unknowingly creating tension in pursuit of perfection.
This episode builds on the previous discussion of horses "falling in" on circles by shifting from the problem to the proposed solution: teaching forward as a direction, not just a speed. Stacy explains why forward is often misunderstood and rarely trained as a purposeful, straight-line intention—and how this gap shows up in real riding issues.
Key takeaways:
- Most riders unconsciously cue left or right more often than they intentionally ask for straight forward movement
- Horses do not default to straightness—it's a trained skill, not a natural tendency
- Trails and arena rails can give the illusion of straightness, masking a lack of rider-directed movement
- Problems like dropped shoulders often stem from poor forward engagement, not just steering issues
This episode examines how redefining “forward” as a deliberate, trainable direction can dramatically improve your horse’s balance, straightness, and responsiveness. Riders struggling with tight turns, imprecise lines, or inconsistent stops will benefit from this practical framework for improving both clarity and control.
Recorded from her truck at a horse show, Stacy Westfall explores the critical but often overlooked concept of energy management between horse and rider. She observes that many riders fail to prepare their horses for the inevitable energy fluctuations they'll encounter in new environments, whether at shows or on trails.
Key takeaways:
- External energy sources (flapping tents, other horses, tractors) and internal energy (rider nervousness, horse excitement) create an energetic environment that many riders mistakenly label as "problem behavior" when their horse responds
- Training at home rarely includes deliberate practice with higher energy levels, leaving horses unprepared when they encounter intense situations in unfamiliar environments
- When challenges arise, a rider's instinctive physical response—either shrinking back or providing confident support—reveals their underlying mindset and directly impacts their horse's confidence
This episode examines the fundamental difference between riders who approach challenges thinking "I might be causing this problem" versus those who think "my horse needs support," demonstrating how this mental distinction creates dramatically different outcomes when horses face uncertainty. Particularly valuable for riders who compete or trail ride in varied environments where energy management becomes critical for success.
Stacy shares insights from her first off-property trail ride with Ember, revealing a critical moment where riders unknowingly teach their horses problematic behaviors. By identifying the exact instant when most riders make a fundamental mistake at water crossings, Stacy demonstrates how arena training directly transfers to trail success.
Key takeaways: * When a horse hesitates at obstacles like mud or water, is "go now" REALLY what you want to say? * Arena work that develops nuanced communication between horse and rider enables successful navigation of trail challenges * Maintaining consistent guidance when horses encounter new situations prevents confusion, unlike the mixed messages
This episode examines the direct connection between indoor schooling and outdoor application, demonstrating how the "high school" level subtleties developed in controlled settings become essential tools when facing real-world trail challenges.
Riders who struggle with water crossings or similar obstacles will gain actionable insights into how their communication either resolves or creates these common trail problems.
This episode explores how shifting between perspectives reveals critical blind spots in your horsemanship. To illustrate this Stacy shares a 'backward' look at a common problems: a horse that spooks. When you commit to looking from each of these angles, you are more likely to get the full picture, transforming how you interpret and address training situations.
Key takeaways:
- Discover how alternating between perspectives exposes patterns you miss when fixed in one viewpoint
- Explore how the same situation (like a spook) transforms completely when analyzed from each of the four angles
- Learn why your interpretation of events is heavily filtered by which perspective you habitually default to
This episode demonstrates the transformative power of intentionally changing viewpoints to solve persistent riding challenges. By using spooking behavior as a practical example, riders will gain a framework for applying this four-perspective approach to any training situation, allowing them to break through plateaus and develop deeper understanding of the horse-human partnership.
Horsemanship is often described as an art—but teaching it requires breaking that art into pieces. In this episode, Stacy reflects on the challenge of translating feel, flow, and intuition into teachable steps—and why both structure and flow must coexist within the art of horsemanship.
Key takeaways:
- Building flow without foundation leads to instability—structure is what gives flow freedom
- Inspirational teaching often reflects flow, but lacks the tangible grip of mechanics
- Over-focus on structure can limit the experience of partnership and presence
- The artistic expression of riding emerges when steps become second nature
This episode examines the contrast between structure and flow in horsemanship, offering insight into why both are essential—and how recognizing your own tendencies can bring more balance to your training. Ideal for riders who want to understand the 'why' behind the feel, and step into the dance themselves.
Stacy Westfall explores the hidden conversation happening between riders and horses—beyond conscious cues. Using the analogy of learning to float while swimming, she reveals how riders can unintentionally contradict their own instructions through subtle physical signals.
In this episode:
- Discover why your horse reads your tension, breathing patterns, and hormone shifts as clearly as your intentional aids
- Learn to distinguish between helpful awareness and counterproductive anxiety by recognizing when your body is communicating mixed signals
- Understand why even experienced riders must consciously evaluate both their horse’s readiness and their own physical state in challenging situations
This episode demonstrates that skilled riding isn’t just about technical precision—it’s about mastering the subtle interplay between internal belief and physical communication. Your emotions will always "ooze out" of your body and become part of the conversation your horse is already listening to.
In this episode, Stacy explores the critical distinction between specific riding aids and your overall body intention. Riders often experience a disconnect between the small cues they apply (leg pressure, rein contact) and the broader message their body position and energy convey to the horse. Key takeaways:
– The rider’s body communicates more than just cues—it reflects intention, emotion, and unconscious signals – Clarity arises when physical aids align with internal intention and focus – Emotional states influence the horse, whether or not the rider is aware of them – Building awareness of your own body language is essential for clear communication – Questions are a natural part of the learning process for both horse and rider
This episode demonstrates how critical it is to align physical cues with internal clarity. It’s especially valuable for riders who want to improve communication with their horse through better body awareness—not just better technique.
This episode explores the two core elements inside the rider’s mind: the information you rely on and the thoughts that either help or distract you. Stacy unpacks how both missing knowledge and unexamined beliefs can quietly interfere with clear communication and forward progress with your horse.
Key takeaways:
- Gaps in understanding may look like missing information—but can also stem from mismatched or misapplied techniques
- Your body unconsciously reflects your true beliefs regardless of your intentions, creating mixed signals your horse can't interpret
- When your mind automatically creates meaning from every interaction
- Unexamined thoughts and stories can distort feedback and trigger self-doubt during key moments
This episode examines the powerful concept of having "enough" knowledge to proceed confidently. It’s especially valuable for those balancing learning with leadership, offering insight into how to sort through mental noise and act with clarity in real time.
In this episode, Stacy explores how horses experience emotion—and more importantly, how they can learn to regulate it. Through stories, training examples, and thoughtful reflection, she illustrates how emotional elasticity allows horses to pause instead of panic, and process instead of simply react.
Listeners will learn how to recognize a horse’s natural default state, how that state influences outward behavior, and how training can help develop more thoughtful, responsive equine partners.
Key takeaways:
– The difference between raw instinct and thoughtful responses – What emotional regulation looks like in motion – How temperament plays into training outcomes – Why a horse’s reactions aren’t always what they seem
This is part two in a series on The Horse’s Mind. For a foundation on how physical behavior reflects a horse’s thinking, listen to Part 1: Episode 331.
To dive deeper, visit Stacy’s website and take the free quiz on the four quadrants of horse and rider development. The results will highlight where to focus next—and follow-up resources will guide your next steps.
A horse’s body reveals more than just physical movement—it reflects their thoughts, emotions, and understanding. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how a horse’s behavior can show both their level of knowledge and their maturity. She shares why interpreting the horse’s mind requires stepping outside of our automatic reactions and learning to see things from their perspective.
Key takeaways: – How a horse’s physical reactions reveal their level of understanding – The difference between confusion, disagreement, and emotional reactions – Why your horse might test a cue—and what their response tells you – How your own energy and behavior shape your horse’s learning
This episode examines the deep connection between a horse’s mind and body, helping riders build clearer, more effective communication. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Stacy explores how horses can develop emotional flexibility.
When your horse hesitates, pins its ears, or struggles with a movement, what’s really happening? It’s easy to jump to conclusions—assuming resistance, pain, or a training gap. But the key to true understanding lies in separating observation from interpretation. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the importance of neutral fact-finding when assessing your horse’s body, why riders often misread behaviors, and how small mindset shifts can lead to major breakthroughs.
Key Takeaways: * We naturally assign meaning to behaviors. Riders often assume their horse "won’t" do something when the truth may be that they can’t—yet. * Seeing clearly takes practice. Developing the ability to separate facts from assumptions allows for better decision-making in training. * Video is a powerful tool. Watching recordings of your rides can reveal overlooked details and refine your ability to analyze movement. * Awkwardness doesn’t always mean wrong. Some physical discomfort—like an unbalanced canter transition—is a normal part of building strength. * Not all resistance is pain-related. Horses, like people, can develop habits or attitudes about work, even after an initial physical issue is resolved.
Learning to assess your horse’s body with clarity will improve your training, communication, and overall partnership. This episode is part of a four-part series based on the Four Square Foundation Quiz, designed to help you pinpoint your next best step. Tune in next week as Stacy explores the next quadrant: The Horse’s Mind.
When training your horse, are you treating symptoms or addressing the real issue? In this episode, Stacy Westfall explains why accurate diagnosis is always the first step. She shares insights from decades of horse training, revealing how misdiagnosing a problem can lead to ineffective solutions, frustration, and even new challenges.
Key takeaways:
- Misdiagnosing a training issue can lead to solutions that create new problems instead of resolving the root cause.
- Elite horses often mask training flaws, making it easy to apply ineffective methods to the average horse.
- Identifying the right starting point leads to improvement across all areas.
- Stacy created a free quiz to help riders pinpoint their biggest challenge and where to focus first.
This episode explores how understanding both your horse’s and your own thought processes can lead to lasting progress. Whether you're struggling with a specific issue or looking for a clearer training path, the first step is accurate diagnosis. Take the quiz at StacyWestfall.com to discover where to focus next.
Not every ride goes as planned—but what happens after the ride often determines whether you improve or stay stuck. In this episode, Stacy Westfall breaks down a "less than perfect" training session with her horse Ember, sharing how experienced riders turn these moments into stepping stones instead of setbacks.
Key takeaways:
- Progress follows a cycle—planning, execution, evaluation, and adjustment—not a straight upward path. Understanding this cycle helps riders stay focused and adaptable.
- Training isn’t linear—horses don’t improve in a straight line, and recognizing this helps riders end their sessions with confidence, not frustration.
- The Four-Square model (rider’s mind, rider’s body, horse’s mind, horse’s body) provides a framework for evaluating challenges clearly instead of emotionally.
By shifting from self-judgment to observation, riders create the mental framework needed for true advancement. This episode provides practical examples of how top riders gather information instead of frustration—so you can do the same.
This episode tackles the challenge many riders face when trying to balance structured training plans with intuitive horsemanship. Stacy Westfall uses an unexpected cooking analogy to demonstrate how mastering any skill requires both systematic planning and gut-level awareness.
Key takeaways:
- Strategic time investment in foundational training during off-seasons creates both immediate progress and long-term flexibility
- Managing multiple horses at different training stages requires distinct approaches, from intensive skill-building to maintenance work
- Traditional planning tools reveal scheduling conflicts and opportunities that even experienced trainers miss when relying on memory alone
The episode demonstrates how riders can develop their own "recipe for success" by combining careful planning with experiential wisdom, making it especially valuable for those managing multiple horses or complex training goals.
Do you find yourself using words like "trust" and "enjoy" when describing your horse training goals, but struggle to translate these concepts into action? You're not alone. Many riders grapple with the gap between their aspirations and day-to-day training decisions. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how to transform abstract horse training concepts into physical, observable actions.
Key takeaways:
- Dreams remain intangible until we define what they look like in real-world situations
- Common phrases in horse training often mask deeper, more specific intentions
- The path from aspiration to action requires questioning your own assumptions
Through real examples from her work with her horse Ember, Stacy demonstrates a questioning process that helps riders move beyond vague terminology to create meaningful, actionable training plans. This episode is essential for both goal-resistant and goal-oriented riders who want to bring their horse training dreams into physical reality.
What if your fuel—not your effort—is the problem?
Stacy Westfall shares a surprising lesson in persistence, revealing why sheer determination isn’t enough—and what actually sustains lasting effort.
- Understand why intense effort alone often leads to diminishing returns—and what to do instead.
- Explore the subtle but crucial difference between belief-driven and willpower-driven action.
- Learn how to recognize when you're operating from belief versus raw determination.
This episode uncovers the essential relationship between belief and effective action, providing riders with practical tools for achieving their goals—without exhausting themselves in the process.
When riders set goals, they often strip away the emotional elements in an attempt to make them more "professional" or achievable. Stacy Westfall challenges this approach through a personal story of how a devastating show ring mistake unexpectedly launched her bridleless riding career.
- Removing emotions from goals may feel safer and more clinical, but those very emotions—both positive and challenging—signal that you're pursuing something meaningful
- You can feel hopelessly far from success, yet just a few perspective shifts can completely transform your path forward
- Community matters deeply in horsemanship, whether found in show environments, boarding barns, trail groups, or online programs, providing the structure and support needed for growth
This episode demonstrates how embracing both the technical and emotional aspects of horsemanship creates more meaningful goal achievement. Particularly valuable for riders struggling to connect their dreams with actionable steps, it offers a framework for transforming setbacks into breakthrough moments.
Do you catch yourself saying "I'm behind" so often it feels like a permanent state of being? That nagging sense of always playing catch-up can follow us from the house to the barn, affecting everything from daily tasks to our horsemanship goals. Join Stacy as she shares her journey from thinking "being behind" was unchangeable to discovering a path toward relief.
Key takeaways:
- Your body sends clear warning signals about feeling behind - do you know yours?
- While switching plans mid-execution might feel like relief, but Stacy shares it often creates a pattern that shows up in unexpected places, including your relationship with your horse
- What appears as a time management problem often masks a deeper issue with mental clutter that keeps you stuck in the "behind" cycle
This episode examines the hidden connection between feeling perpetually behind and your effectiveness both in and out of the saddle. Riders juggling barn time with job and a busy life will gain specific strategies for breaking free from the "always behind" mindset, with immediate applications for both daily life and horsemanship progress.
When pursuing a meaningful goal or implementing a yearly theme, three specific challenges consistently emerge that can derail your progress. Join Stacy Westfall as she breaks down these obstacles and provides actionable solutions for navigating them successfully.
Key takeaways:
- Our brains are wired to resist change in predictable ways, but understanding this resistance reveals surprisingly simple solutions for getting started on any goal, no matter how daunting it seems.
- The early stages of implementing change require a different approach than most people expect. Stacy shares how to use your brain's natural reward system (what she playfully calls "calorie-free cookies") to build momentum.
- The most significant barrier to achieving goals isn't what most people think - it's a hidden mindset trap that can make you abandon ship right when you're actually making progress.
Overall, this episode examines why common approaches to change often fall short and provides concrete strategies for staying on track. Whether you're working with horses or pursuing personal growth, these insights will help you recognize and overcome the key obstacles that stand between you and your goals.
Do you find yourself cringing when someone asks about your goals? Or maybe you've set goals before, but they felt hollow and meaningless? You're not alone, and you might just be missing a crucial step. Join Stacy Westfall as she reveals how adding a yearly theme can transform your approach to goal setting. In this episode:
Discover why traditional goals often fall short and how themes can fill the gap Learn how to make your goals more meaningful, especially if you value connection and relationship Get access to a simple worksheet that includes:
- Ten proven focus areas to choose from
- Easy-to-follow theme creation process
- Practical ways to keep your theme active all year
Whether you're a goal enthusiast or goal-resistant, this episode offers a fresh perspective on meaningful progress and a clear path to transform how you approach your riding journey in 2025.
In this episode, Stacy explores how a fresh perspective on learning can transform your horsemanship journey. Through sharing her own mindset shift about future learning goals, she demonstrates how being specific with timeframes while staying open to possibilities can create powerful growth opportunities.
Key takeaways:
- Learn why comparing your current learning to a previous period of growth can be motivating rather than intimidating
- Discover how slowing down to notice more layers can actually accelerate progress
- Challenge common misconceptions about what "learning more" means
Listeners will walk away understanding that growth isn't about rushing forward or making dramatic changes, but rather about deepening understanding. Whether you're a beginner or experienced rider, this episode provides practical insights about goal setting, the importance of staying curious, and permission to explore your horsemanship journey with both the enthusiasm of a newcomer and the wisdom you already possess.
"If I could snap my fingers and give you a gift...” In this episode, Stacy shares what she considers one of the most powerful tools in any rider's journey. Drawing insights from the fascinating way children naturally approach familiar content, this episode reveals how riders can turn video from an overwhelming experience into a journey of discovery.
Through practical tips and encouraging insights, Stacy breaks down the three stages riders typically move through and offers guidance for each phase. Whether listeners are still avoiding the camera or ready to deepen their understanding, this episode offers a fresh perspective on video review that could make 2025 their most insightful year of riding yet.
In this episode, Stacy explores why celebrating small wins matters, even - and especially - when faced with unexpected emotions about our progress. Through two student examples, she shows how awareness of subtle changes and acceptance of our journey's ups and downs leads to deeper understanding and growth.
She shares her personal journey with the concept of "life is 50/50," from initial skepticism to discovering its transformative power in horse training. This mindset shift helps explain why resisting challenges actually magnifies them, while accepting both progress and setbacks creates space to notice the small wins we might otherwise miss.
Listeners will learn how embracing both sides of progress - the expected and unexpected - leads to more sustainable progress.
In this episode, Stacy guides listeners through creating a year-end review from their horse's perspective. Building on her popular approach of sharing stories from the horse's viewpoint, she offers:
- Two ways to participate: follow along with the podcast or download a free interactive PDF workbook (click here to go to the page with the pdf)
- Examples from Enzo and Ember that demonstrate how to capture your horse's personality
- Creative prompts to help identify memorable moments from your horse's perspective
- A chance to practice seeing daily experiences through your horse's eyes
This unique exercise combines storytelling with practical insights to help riders better understand their horses and deepen their partnerships.
In this episode Stacy explores the nuanced concept of play in horses, identifying three distinct types of playful behavior: possessed play, repressed play, and reactive play. She challenges listeners to consider playfulness on a spectrum, both in themselves and their horses.
Stacy highlights the importance of understanding and managing a horse's playful energy. She argues against two extremes: constant, unfocused play and complete obedience without any playfulness. The key is finding a balance where horses can experience play or ‘blow off steam’ while still being responsive to their handler's commands.
Through personal examples, she demonstrates how recognizing and appropriately channeling a horse's desire to play can improve training and relationship. Stacy emphasizes that play isn't just about wild energy, but about emotional and physical communication between horse and rider, and the ability to transition smoothly between play and work.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall shares a personal tip on the value of re-listening to podcasts, courses, and books to deepen learning and retention, especially when paired with implementing lessons in between. She introduces the replay of a special Thanksgiving-themed episode that features listener-submitted reflections on why they are thankful for horses.
Originally aired two years ago, this heartfelt episode highlights messages from around the world about how horses bring joy, connection, and personal growth to their lives. Listeners share powerful insights, describing horses as sources of peace, strength, and purpose, as well as companions in triumphs and challenges.
Stacy emphasizes the importance of gratitude and the transformative power of the horse-human relationship. This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own connections with horses while celebrating the inspiration these animals provide.
Happy Thanksgiving—and enjoy the replay!
Stacy Westfall explores a common misconception in horse training: that professionals don't experience uncertainty or caution when facing new situations. Through parallel stories of her hesitation at a coffee shop and a horse encountering a trailer ramp, she reveals that professionals absolutely feel cautious, careful, and mindful – they just accept these feelings as a natural part of the process. What sets professionals apart isn't an absence of uncertainty, but rather their approach: they do everything possible to prepare, then rely on "educated guesses" to bridge the remaining gap. Stacy illustrates how everyone – even experts – faces resistance to new situations. The key difference is that professionals understand that "new is always new" and embrace the inherent uncertainty rather than fighting it. They prepare thoroughly, then lean into their experience to make informed decisions in unfamiliar moments. She encourages listeners to observe their own responses to new situations in daily life, as these patterns often mirror how they interact with horses.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall opens with an update on her current horses, and then introduces the main topic of how to train for something ‘before you need it.’ Stacy discusses her approach to training Ember, a highly athletic and sensitive young horse she describes as "a lot of horse." Using the analogy of a sports car versus a luxury car, she explains how different horses require different handling while still aiming for a balanced "middle" response. Stacy emphasizes the importance of not denying a horse's natural characteristics but rather working with them constructively. She focuses particularly on the challenge of transitioning from loose rein to contact, especially during spook situations. To prevent secondary spooking (when a horse reacts to the rider's response to the initial spook), Stacy practices hundreds of take-hold-and-release exercises during each ride. The episode concludes with encouragement for riders who discover training gaps after problems arise, comparing preparation to fire drills - ideally practiced before needed, but still valuable to learn from past experiences.
In this episode, Stacy explores the concept of recognizing and embracing contradictions in horse training, sharing insights from a recent experience with her horse, Luna. Luna has started anticipating spins during trot circles, which could be viewed as a problem, but Stacy sees it as a potential training advantage. She explains how anticipation can create a draw toward certain movements, making them feel more like the horse’s choice rather than a command. Stacy considers two solutions: changing the pre-spin routine or separating trot circles from the spin entirely. However, she chooses a third approach—embracing Luna’s anticipation as a sign of her eagerness to engage. By doing so, Stacy encourages a cooperative training environment where the horse’s motivation becomes a powerful tool. She also highlights how understanding and embracing contradictions is key in guiding horses through the learning process, especially in early stages of training.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores three key challenges in reading horse body language and how misinterpretation can affect horse-human relationships. Unlike human communication, which combines words and body language, horses rely solely on physical expression, making accurate interpretation crucial. The first challenge involves understanding that horses naturally fall into two categories: stoic (calm, less expressive) and animated (energetic, expressive). The second challenge occurs when horses become well-trained, often appearing less animated but not necessarily less engaged or emotional. Westfall uses her horse Newt as an example, showing how a horse can maintain its personality while developing focus. The third challenge involves the tendency to cluster behaviors and emotions, like associating playfulness with happiness or stoicism with boredom. Westfall cautions against these assumptions and recommends verbalizing what you think you're seeing in your horse to become more aware of your interpretations. This episode provides valuable insights for horse owners seeking to better understand their equine partners' communication styles.
Horse owners often encounter situations where our horses seem to "disagree" with our choices or training methods. This can trigger feelings of conflict and uncertainty within us, leaving us unsure of how to move forward. However, Stacy Westfall suggests that rather than seeing these disagreements as problems, we should view them as opportunities to develop greater empathy and understanding.
Stacy shares her own experiences of receiving "negative feedback" from her horse, Enzo, and how she responds with a sense of amusement and compassion, much like a parent understanding the frustrations of a young child. She encourages listeners to recognize that horses, like young children, are simply trying to communicate their needs and desires, even if they don't align with our own perspectives.
By embracing these conflicting viewpoints with an open mind and a willingness to see both sides, Stacy believes we can navigate the challenges of horse training with greater success, fostering a collaborative partnership built on mutual respect and understanding.
In this episode, Stacy shares a unique perspective on foundational skills in horsemanship. She explains how this viewpoint can reveal subtle imbalances and growth opportunities. By stripping away advanced techniques to reassess basics, Stacy demonstrates how simple exercises provide insights into the animal's mind and emotions. The episode centers on the dual focus required in effective horsemanship: the rider's internal awareness (intuition, observations, curiosity) and external observation of the horse (focus, body language, responses). Stacy emphasizes that mastering this approach isn't just about physical techniques, but about cultivating a mindset of constant observation and adjustment. This episode offers valuable insights for equestrians and anyone interested in human-animal communication.
Here's a cleaned-up version:
This episode explores the challenge of maintaining momentum when faced with interruptions in your horse training plans. Whether you're a planner or a go-with-the-flow rider, you'll find valuable insights for keeping your equestrian dreams on track.
Using personal experiences and insights from students, Stacy covers: • The impact of interruptions at different stages of goal pursuit • Emotional responses to setbacks and the urge to change plans • Strategies for handling interruptions and maintaining focus • The importance of clearly defining goals for better adaptability • Transferring momentum to alternative actions when original plans change
Delve into the psychology behind the desire to quit when facing obstacles, especially near the end of a goal's timeline. By understanding these impulses, you can better navigate setbacks and maintain your resolve. Stacy emphasizes the value of flexibility in goal-setting and execution, encouraging you to find creative solutions when interruptions occur.
In this episode, Stacy addresses a listener's question about riding horses in groups larger than two. She outlines six key points for evaluating and preparing a horse for trail riding, including at-home and on-trail assessments, making predictions, communicating with other riders, and self-evaluation during the ride.
Stacy emphasizes the importance of understanding the horse's perspective, highlighting common misconceptions that lead riders to misjudge their horses' reactions when riding with others. She contrasts proactive riding, where the rider shapes the horse's energy preemptively, with reactive riding, which only addresses issues after they arise.
The podcast underscores how consistent, intentional riding over time establishes a strong foundation, setting up a horse for lifelong success on the trails. Stacy's insights offer valuable guidance for riders looking to improve their horses' performance and comfort in group settings.
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:
- 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.
In this episode, Stacy addresses a common issue in horse training: anticipation. A listener from Denmark asks how to handle a horse that performs learned exercises without waiting for cues. Stacy explains that anticipation is initially a positive sign of successful training, likening it to the first half of a rainbow arc. However, as training progresses, excessive anticipation can become problematic. Stacy advises seeing this as a sign of clear leadership and effective teaching, rather than a failure. She introduces the concept of "teeter-totter" training, where the goal is to balance the horse's eagerness for upward transitions (like cantering) with an equal readiness for downward transitions. This approach aims to create a responsive, thinking partner in the horse. The key challenge is maintaining the horse's initiative while teaching it to wait for cues. Stacy recommends being proactive, redirecting the horse before it anticipates, and gradually refining the horse's responsiveness over time.
Stacy shares insights on transitioning horses from arena training to trail riding. She emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than avoiding them. The podcast highlights the differences between controlled arena environments and unpredictable trail settings. Stacy explains her approach to introducing her new horse, Luna, to trail riding, starting by leading her and gradually testing her responses to manufactured challenges.
5 key takeaways:
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Embrace challenges: Viewing problems or questions as opportunities for growth is crucial in horse training. Avoiding challenges can lead to limitations in where and how you can work with your horse.
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Consistency is key: Whether in the arena or on the trail, maintaining a consistent approach to handling questions and challenges that arise is essential for effective training and safety.
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Gradual transition: When moving from arena to trail riding, start by leading the horse and gradually introduce controlled challenges to assess their readiness and build confidence.
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Safety line concept: There's a metaphorical "safety line" in horse training. More training puts you further above this line, increasing your ability to handle various situations safely.
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One-mile settling point: Many horses tend to settle into a rhythm around the one-mile mark of a ride, especially less experienced ones. This insight can help in planning and managing trail rides effectively.
Stacy Westfall discusses the overuse of the phrase "I'm sorry" in everyday situations and how it relates to horsemanship. She recounts observing excessive apologizing in a workshop setting and at grocery stores, questioning whether these apologies are genuine expressions of remorse or habitual responses. Westfall emphasizes the importance of understanding one's emotional defaults and how they impact interactions with horses.
She encourages riders to examine why they apologize during lessons or while sharing arena space, suggesting that many of these apologies are unnecessary and may stem from misplaced feelings of inadequacy. Westfall advocates for clearer communication and understanding of riding etiquette to reduce the need for constant apologies.
The podcast also touches on the emotions involved in buying and selling horses, prompting listeners to reflect on their initial emotional responses to these situations.
This episode of the podcast explores the concept of "decision fatigue" and the challenges of navigating the "messy middle" or "miserable maybe" when faced with big life decisions. Stacy shares how this process can be similar to what a horse expereinces when being trained to approach and relax around scary objects.
Key takeaways:
- Decision fatigue is similar to physical fatigue - making too many decisions can mentally "overwork" the brain - The period between first considering a decision and actually making it is rife with potential for decision fatigue - Setting boundaries and dedicated "decision-making time" can help manage this process
Overall, this episode provides practical strategies for handling the challenge of big, complex decisions and avoiding the mental strain that can come with prolonged indecision.
In this episode, Stacy explains how she picks and maintains a theme when working with her horses. She shares how studying one theme over a longer period reveals the many angles that are possible. It also helps her see how the theme applies to non-horse parts of life as well.
Key takeaways: • Focus on a specific theory while working with horses • Horses can learn what to pay attention to and what to ignore • The importance of believing in a horse's capabilities • How doubt can negatively impact horse training • Using journaling or discussions to improve horsemanship skills
This podcast explores the crucial difference between mimicking and understanding in learning processes, using examples from horse training and human skill acquisition. Stacy emphasizes that while mimicking is often the initial step in learning, it's merely the beginning. True mastery comes from developing a deeper understanding of the 'why' behind actions and behaviors.
Stacy shares how young horses, like Lefty, start by copying behaviors without fully comprehending their meanings. Similarly, humans may imitate training techniques without grasping their underlying principles. This superficial approach can lead to incomplete learning and ineffective application of skills.
Stacy stresses the importance of moving beyond imitation to develop nuanced understanding, which enables learners to adapt techniques to various situations and truly master a skill.
Key takeaways: • Mimicking is a natural starting point in learning but shouldn't be the end goal • Understanding the 'why' behind actions leads to more effective application of skills • Observing patterns and questioning experiences deepens comprehension • True mastery involves adapting techniques to different contexts • Moving beyond copying requires active engagement and reflection on learning experiences
Stacy Westfall discusses marking behavior as a fundamental aspect of horse training. She explains how this technique, often used in clicker training, can quickly reinforce desired behaviors, or can accidentally mark a mistake as well. Stacy explains the powerful tool horses use with each other of simply not reacting, and why it works so well in a feedback loop.
Key points include:
- The introduction of orphan foals Lefty and Stormy to an adult horse, Gabby
- Gabby's subtle communication and non-reactive responses to the foals' behavior
- The significance of not overreacting to accidental touches or movements when working with horses
Stacy emphasizes that a deep understanding of marking behavior and its implementation can greatly enhance training effectiveness and improve overall communication between humans and horses.
Stacy Westfall introduces the concept of "allowing" versus "making" in horse training. She emphasizes that both approaches have their place, with "making" including positive actions like guiding or shaping behavior. The power of allowing is highlighted as a tool to influence a horse's mind and encourage desired behaviors.
Stacy uses the example of teaching a horse to slow down. She first asks the horse to go, potentially "making" them if necessary, then allows them to slow down. This method teaches horses to seek opportunities to slow down and engages both "hot" and "cold" temperaments.
There is value in allowing horses to make choices within a structured framework, fostering their intelligence and curiosity while maintaining control and safety. Stacy explains how this principle applies to basic interactions as well as advanced concepts like collection and self-carriage.
In this episode, Stacy discusses the importance of addressing predictable problems in horse training before tackling unpredictable ones. She argues that focusing on known issues is more effective, as it allows for better planning and addresses both the horse's and rider's thought patterns. Stacy emphasizes that riders often ignore or make excuses for predictable problems, making it challenging to choose to address them. She encourages riders to examine their own thought processes when facing recurring issues with their horses, as this self-awareness can lead to more effective solutions.
Stacy illustrates her points with examples ranging from basic groundwork to advanced riding techniques. She notes that as riders progress, recognizing predictable challenges becomes exciting rather than frustrating, as it allows for targeted problem-solving. The key takeaways are:
• Categorize challenges as predictable or unpredictable • Start by addressing predictable problems • Examine your own thought patterns and responses • Recognize that solving predictable issues can resolve unpredictable ones • View predictable challenges as opportunities for improvement
Stacy addresses the common feeling of being "behind" in horse training, offering a framework to reassess and recalibrate goals. She provides four key questions to ask yourself when feeling behind, then offers two action steps to move forward productively.
Key points: • Recognize the difference between having a concrete plan and a hopeful wish • Evaluate your reasons for falling behind and practice self-compassion • Consider external factors and intentional choices that may have affected your progress • Use setbacks as learning opportunities to improve future planning and decision-making • Develop a realistic, step-by-step approach to achieve your horse training goals, rather than relying on vague aspirations
This approach will help you transform feelings of being behind into constructive action.
In this podcast episode, Stacy Westfall introduces the concept of viewing a horse's behavior as an "invitation" that riders can choose to accept or decline. She explains that horses often present two types of invitations to riders:
- Emotional invitations: When a horse becomes anxious, jumpy, or displays a particular emotional state, it can be seen as an invitation for the rider to join that emotional state. - Training invitations: Horses may also invite riders to use certain aids or respond in specific ways during training or riding. For example, a lazy horse might invite the rider to do more work to maintain energy, while a hot horse might invite the rider to constantly apply the brakes.
Stacy encourages riders to:
- Recognize these invitations from their horses - Become aware of their default responses to these invitations - Consider choosing a different, more productive response - Look for invitations during their next 10 rides - Aim to break habitual patterns by responding intentionally to their horse's cues.
In this podcast, Stacy recaps her experience with the Tevis Cup Virtual Challenge. She shares that she will do it again, and what she will do differently next time. She also shares an update on Lefty and Stormy, the two orphan foals that impacted her original spring plans.
Key takeaways: • the challenges of tracking miles • the benefit of participating in a group event • unlocking ‘milestones’ and learning the history of the trail • physical improvements noticed by vets, chiropractors, and massage therapists • behavioral changes from the increased intentional work
There is still time to sign up for the 2024 Tevis Cup Virtual, and if you are listening to this after the registration closes, you can begin thinking about signing up next year!
In this episode, Stacy emphasizes the importance of establishing contact with horses in order to achieve connection. Contact refers to physical touch, whether direct or through tools like reins or whips. Connection, on the other hand, has two meanings: the flow of energy through the horse's body in dressage, and the relationship bond between horse and human. Through examples with her foals, show horses, and dressage horses, Stacy illustrates how contact precedes connection.
Key takeaways:
- With foals, she uses scratches to build positive associations with touch.
- For sensitive show horses, resetting cues with firmer contact can alleviate anxiety.
- To advance, riders must feel the horse's body to harness the energy flow, but this requires the horse's training progression.
- From ground work to riding, contact training enables connection
Overall, Stacy stresses the necessity of contact to foster a willing, connected partnership.
When pursuing long-term goals with your horse, it's crucial to intentionally plan for both physical and mental recovery time. While most riders allow physical recovery for their horses after intense events, they often neglect their own need for mental rest and rejuvenation. By taking intentional breaks, postponing further work until a set date, and observing your body's and mind's recovery patterns, you can learn to better support yourself before, during, and after challenging events. Honoring your recovery needs allows you to show up fully for your horse and increases your chances of successfully achieving your goals together.
Key Takeaways:
• Plan recovery time for both physical and mental rejuvenation • Take intentional breaks by setting a restart date and sticking to it • Observe your recovery patterns to learn your needs • Proper recovery planning leads to showing up better for your horse • Increases likelihood of achieving long-term goals with your horse
This podcast episode discusses the dual roles riders embody: the supportive advocate and the accountable coach. The challenge arises when riders need to switch between these roles depending on the situation with their horse. Using personal anecdotes and analogies, Stacy illustrates how these roles manifest in real-life scenarios, such as encouraging a horse to canter in a confined space or making decisions while trail riding. Drawing parallels between sports coaching and horse training, she elucidates the challenges riders face in pushing their horses beyond their comfort zones while maintaining a supportive rapport. By sharing personal experiences and insights, Stacy encourages listeners to reflect on their own roles and challenges in horse training, offering practical tips for navigating these complexities.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the power of goal-setting and learning in layers, using her own experiences and the upcoming Virtual Tevis Cup as examples. She explores how breaking down big goals into smaller, achievable tasks can propel us toward our ultimate dreams., discussing how seemingly unrelated goals can complement each other. The Virtual Tevis Cup serves as a focal point, challenging listeners to rethink their capabilities and embrace new opportunities for growth, even in unexpected areas. Stacy emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, learning from mistakes, and maintaining a community-driven approach to equine endeavors.
If you're interested in participating in the Virtual Tevis Cup or exploring layered goals for yourself and your horse, visit Stacy Westfall's website or social media for more information.
Today's podcast explores the concept of wisdom as something attainable through experiential learning, rather than mere accumulation of knowledge.
Through two compelling success stories, you will see examples of how two women have taken the information they were given, applied it to their lives, and have discovered wisdom.
Topics include:
- knowledge vs. wisdom
- the desire for, and problem with a checklist
- horse training has layers, and so does gaining wisdom
- technique includes how you treat yourself
- the power in seeing all options as possible, and then choosing
Through hearing Mel and Heather’s experiences, you will have the opportunity to discover how wisdom is earned.
Stacy Westfall shares a deeply personal journey of unexpected challenges and gratitude in her latest podcast episode. Following the sudden loss of her husband's mare Lucy, who left behind a ten-day-old foal named Lefty, Stacy found herself unexpectedly caring for two orphaned foals. She adopted another foal, Stormy, from Last Chance Corral to raise alongside Lefty, leading to a whirlwind of emotions and physical demands.
Through this experience, Stacy emphasizes the importance of embracing contrasts in life. Despite the exhaustion and concern of caring for the foals, she finds moments of rest and contentment. Stacy draws parallels between her own emotional resilience and the foals' physical and mental growth, noting how they stretch their comfort zones and quickly return to a state of equilibrium.
Reflecting on her past experiences, including raising orphan foals in 2016, Stacy expresses gratitude for her preparedness and the resources to care for the foals. She credits her mindset mastery work for enabling her to navigate a range of emotions and embrace the challenges as choices rather than burdens.
Ultimately, Stacy sees caring for the orphaned foals not as an obligation but as an honor and a gift, highlighting the importance of choosing to embrace life's challenges. She concludes with a message of gratitude and resilience.
In this episode, you will hear a segment from a recent Zoom call where Stacy celebrates a student's first horse show experience. Within this conversation, three key themes emerge: the show as an evaluation of training, the challenge of riding within a structure, and the subtle presence of regret.
Topics include:
- How regret can sneak in during good times
- Why this thought pattern is destructive
- Judging your past decisions
- Intentional challenge or life’s ‘pop quiz’
- Trail riding challenges
This episode highlights the subtle way that thinking patterns impact our future choices.
In this episode, Stacy shares a challenging moment she very much wants to rush through. Drawing parallels between human behavior and equine tendencies, Stacy emphasizes that rushing is not merely a physical action but a way of thinking that can impact emotions. Using her expertise in horse training, she provides insights into how rushing manifests in both riders and horses, affecting the overall training experience. - Stacy’s technique for reducing rushing in horses (you can also use it on yourself) - three reasons rushing seems like a good idea - how rushing impacts decison making - the MOST challenging time to resist rushing
In this podcast, Stacy explains two unintentional releases riders often overlook and the challenges they cause for the horse. These are also things that can happen in your everyday life.
Topics include:
- freezing, shrinking, and withdrawing
- rider’s lack of awareness of the horse’s experience
- how to solve for freezing
- the challenge of lowering energy, hoping to calm horse
- avoiding ‘offending’ the horse
- redirecting energy
- scared horses being un-guided
- determined horses and ‘open doors’
Noticing how these things happen in 'real life' is an amazing opportunity to understand yourself better, which will improve your time with your horse.
In this episode, Stacy explains how to know if your horse is ready to move to a more advanced technique, or combination of cues, or when you should return to the basics. If you find yourself wondering, “Is my horse ready to move on?” or if you have moved on, but your horse shows signs of resistance….this episode is for you.
Topics include:
- Believing your horse's signals and returning to foundational techniques
- Muscle Memory and Habit Response
- Rider muscle memory and habit response in riding
- Horse muscle memory and habit response dynamics
- Importance of consistent practice before facing crises
- Assessing your willingness to put in the necessary repetitions
- Recognizing the role of consistent practice in improvement
- Addressing issues like head tossing, reluctance to move forward, pulling on the rein, and excessive speed
Anger, frustration, fear… to wonder and joy. In this episode, three students share their challenges and growth with their horses inside the Resourceful Rider Program. What stands out to me is how the riders are describing that they can see themselves and their horses more clearly. If I say it backward, before they experienced the shift, their emotions: angry, frustrated, scared…were actually altering what they were able to see.
Also listen for how they have learned to support and guide their horse's training.
- shifting away from, ‘oh, no, there's something wrong with me’ * finding humor while training * learning to see a piece at a time, learning to see maneuvers in segments as pieces of a sequence * learning when you live in a rural area * the power of being in a community with other women that are trying to get better with their horses
This episode is filled with valuable insights, and by the end, you'll see how it was possible for them…and it’s possible for you too.
Stacy shares valuable insights into how riders unintentionally slow their learning. She explains why many less experienced riders skip what she calls ‘step two’ and try to go straight for step three. She also contrasts this by explaining how pros do the opposite.
With actual tips for how to improve, and a blend of humor, expertise, and relatable anecdotes, this episode encourages riders of all levels to embrace the journey from seeing to understanding, one identifiable detail at a time.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, saddle up for an episode packed with wisdom, encouragement, and the joy of newfound revelations in the world of horse riding.
In this episode, Stacy explains the five essential steps riders undertake to enhance their horseback riding skills and their training techniques. She emphasizes how each cycle of this process contributes to the continual improvement of a rider's abilities.
The focus is on the pivotal first step, where many riders often encounter obstacles. Stacy explains how this is a particular challenge for women entering the equestrian world later in life.
Can you clearly identify these 5 steps in a recent situation? Can you remember a time like Stacy shared where you could not progress past one of the steps?
In this episode, you’ll hear a conversation that perfectly illustrates the connection between what is going on in our mind, and how it is often reflected in our experience with our horse. In this conversation, Kristen is struggling with riding transitions, specifically, ‘letting the horse go’ or riding bigger, and then transitioning back to collection.
Listen as Stacy asks questions to find the intersection of what is going on when riding, as well as what is going on in Kristin’s thinking. You’ll hear the breakthrough at the end of the conversation.
Also notice that specific physical riding advice is given, BUT HERE IS THE PROBLEM: Counting strides won’t fix this issue, if the part that is happening in her THINKING isn’t addressed.
- emotions as vibrations
- getting stuck in a familiar emotional state
- why changing actions alone won’t work
- why change can feel awkward
- how this applies to fear, and recovering from accidents
The best news is that you can learn to transition between emotional states, and it will improve your riding.
In this episode, we will explore how to pursue a feeling state as a goal. Listen in as Stacy coaches Lauren on how to pursue her theme of ‘having fun builds confidence’ as it relates to showing her horse.
A way of being goal is an exploration of your experience of life. The direct goal becomes the exploration of your experience, the indirect goal becomes what you choose to do, for example, showing your horse.
This shift in focus transforms the show from a mere competition into a platform for self-study.
Topics include:
- 3 examples of making a ‘way of being’ goal measurable
- the danger of setting a ‘way of being goal’ and how to avoid it
- self-esteem and self-confidence
- the power of individual choice in defining success
- the importance of viewing this goal across all areas of life, not just with horses
Steven Pressfield's book, “The War of Art" is also recommended as an additional resource on the subject.
In this episode, you’ll learn a simple 3-step process for turning your ‘way of being’ into something actionable. Examples of “Way of being goals.” include:
- do what is best for my horse
- have a closer relationship with my horse
- ride confidently without anxiety
- understand my horse's behavior better
- to enjoy showing again
The problem or challenge with these types is that they often seem hard to define, and even harder to move into action, but it is possible. In less than two minutes a day, you can achieve a transformation that will not only impact you, but those around you…including your horse.
An important part of setting future goals is reviewing and learning from the past.
This episode includes an 8-step process for reviewing and learning from your past year, as well as in interview. Diana and Riece join me, and we discuss the lessons that can be learned from reviewing, which can be carried forward into the next year.
This episode is so full, it has a free downloadable workbook to go with it! For your free printable copy of the 8-step process outlined, go to stacywestfall.com episode 267.
Topics discussed include:
- the potential fear of being overwhelmed with regrets during a year-end review
- the difference in reviewing on a micro level (day to day) versus a macro level (year-end review)
- the reality of adjusting timelines
- the importance of looking back with compassion, avoiding self-blame, and understanding that decisions were made with the available information
How your habit of reviewing (or not reviewing) throughout the year is often reflected in your yearly review. Now is the best time to begin to build the habits that will support your future dreams and goals. Download the free guide and get started today.
If you notice that you find yourself thinking or saying, ‘look, I messed up there’ or ‘my timing could have been better there’ and you have an underlying feeling of disappointment, this episode is for you.
In this week's episode, we discuss a simple tool that can help reduce the fear of mistakes and the trap of perfectionism. As riders develop the ability to feel more while riding, the heightened awareness will reveal both the things that ARE working, as well as the things that are not.
One tool for adjusting your perspective is to categorize by zones—red, yellow, and green. Once you understand what these zones represent, you’ll understand why ‘perfect’ timing isn’t always necessary.
This same concept is also a useful way to think when planning, goal-setting, and reviewing your progress.
In this episode, Stacy Westfall delves into the intricacies of raw reactions versus rewarded responses, using her new yearling horse, Ember, as an example. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and influencing a horse's mental state alongside their physical actions. Stacy shares her approach to teaching Ember to stand quietly when tied, highlighting the challenge of discomfort that arises when horses make mistakes. She stresses the need for consistency in rewarding specific emotional states to transform raw reactions into desired responses.
Stacy draws parallels between horse training and human behavior, encouraging listeners to be intentional in their actions and aware of their thought patterns. The episode explores the concept of horses reflecting on their training sessions, thinking about the process after it concludes, and detecting patterns. Stacy likens this reflective process to intentional thinking, which humans can practice for personal development.
The narrative shifts to Presto, another horse with thought loops, illustrating the importance of guiding horses through reactive states. Stacy relates this to human experiences, cautioning against unintentionally causing one's fears. The episode concludes with a call for self-reflection, urging listeners to review their actions and thought patterns from the past year, emphasizing the value of looking back for personal growth.
Dread. Disbelief… Disappointment. In this episode, Stacy shares an incident where she felt these, and she shares how understanding your responses in ‘every day’ life will show up when you work with your horse. Both of you will have thoughts and emotions when interacting. By knowing yourself, you can begin to see your reactions separate from your horse's reactions.
Topics discussed include:
- Your awareness of your first response
- Denying reality
- A harsh response to mistakes
- Glossing over or pretending you are ok with something…that you are not currently ok with
- Boundaries and choices
- How to determine if you’re having the response you desire
When you’re not all wrapped up in judging yourself, or pretending everything is fine, you can see your horse more clearly. Living and learning about your responses will strengthen your internal resilience, unlocks compassion for others, and make it easier for your horse to read your body language.
“…there are hundreds of exchanges that are happening between horse and rider, and being able to observe those in as much detail as you can really helps you unlock what's happening with the communication.”
In this episode, two students join me, and we discuss the breakthroughs that are possible when the rider begins seeing the layers of training. The depth of learning lies in perceiving these layers and how they are impacting communication.
Topics include:
Creating cycles of curiosity The value of being a better observer Seeing the horse as capable Seeing yourself as capable Physically getting stronger Repetition is more opportunities to say, yes, that is the answer, yes, yes!
By hearing from different perspectives, the concepts shared might land differently for you, and inspire you to recognize your horse's and your own capabilities.
Three students join me and share their challenges, and life lessons learned through horses. As you listen, pay close attention to the choices these students have made and how being part of a community supported this change.
Topics discussed include:
- The wordless connection with horses
- Money
- Learning at your own pace
- The approach we learn with ourselves, and then use with our horses (and others in life)
- Becoming congruent
- Look for the good first
- Celebrating together
I hope that by sharing their stories, you'll hear that what they've achieved and realize it is possible for you too.
Frustration is an emotion that many riders report they feel. In this episode, Kathy and JoAnn share their personal journeys, which include leaving every ride feeling fulfilled and happy. Listen for the challenges AND for how they navigated their way to the break thoughts. Notice the determination exhibited when learning to self evaluate, and the mindfulness they used in creating their own structure for training at home. At one point this question is asked, ‘So now if she anticipates something, what’s your reaction to it?” Listen for the answer…it's brilliant!
- structuring rides when there is limited time * the importance of being able to ask questions when they arise * the value of self-evaluation skills for discovering the discrepancies between the rider's perception of what they are doing, and the reality * the role of mindset when overcoming obstacles * the benefits and limitations of learning at a clinic * learning when you live in a rural area
This episode is filled with valuable insights, and by the end, you'll see how it was possible for them…and it’s possible for you too.
In this episode, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a glimpse behind the scenes into the lives and journey of two students inside the Resourceful Rider program.
Through these heartfelt conversations, you'll gain insight into their personal journeys. They'll share their stories of overcoming challenges, celebrating successes, and experiencing life-changing moments that have shaped their paths.
Topics include:
- Feeling like you might not be ready
- Linear vs 3D training plans
- The setbacks that come when ‘leveling up’
- Retraining the frustration response
- Not viewing the horse as being defiant
- Self evaluation to improve feel and timing
- Non-judgmental learning
This episode is filled with wisdom and inspiration, and by the end, you'll see how it was possible for them…and it’s possible for you too. Let's get started!
In this episode of Stacy Westfall's podcast, she delves into the concept of defining and celebrating success. Stacy reflects on why she didn't mention Gabby's recent winnings, contemplating whether it was due to societal pressures and fear of being labeled as bragging. She also highlights the importance of introspection, explaining that she didn't share her winnings because her focus was on the lessons learned from smaller, more meaningful moments during her training with Gabby.
Stacy emphasizes the shift in her perspective about measuring success. Instead of fixating on external achievements, she now values personal growth and the journey with her horses. She believes that horses enjoy learning, whether it leads to showing or simply enhances their training.
The podcast episode is followed by testimonials from listeners who have implemented Stacy's techniques in their horse training. They share stories of success and personal growth, illustrating the transformative power of understanding oneself and one's horse. The episode underscores the importance of mindfulness and self-awareness when working with horses, emphasizing that this approach leads to a more fulfilling and successful partnership between horse and rider.
In this episode, Stacy shares insights from her recent experiences at two horse shows in Kentucky and answers a listener's question regarding preparing for a Freestyle reining class and showing bridleless.
She attended a NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) show in Frankfort and the Liberty Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park, which was organized by the International Liberty Horse Association. Stacy observed that both experiences had similarities, emphasizing the importance of accuracy, exposure to different environments, and connecting with like-minded people.
For the listener interested in Freestyle reining, Stacy recommends starting by participating in ILHA home shows and joining a local club. She advises practicing both reining and walk and trot transitions, emphasizing the transition to bridleless riding in various settings.
Stacy offers valuable advice for transitioning to bridleless showing, suggesting that riders can commit to not using reins in regular shows to practice. Additionally, she encourages creating a local club to host liberty shows and facilitate an environment for training.
Stacy's podcast provides a wealth of information and personal experiences to help horse enthusiasts understand, enjoy, and successfully train their horses while sharing insights from her own journey in the world of horse shows.
International Liberty Horse Association (ILHA)-click here
In this episode, Stacy Westfall reflects on the 20th anniversary of her first bridleless competition ride, sharing insights from her journey. She begins by addressing common challenging emotions faced by riders and their underlying causes and then addresses the similarities between basic bending and advanced bending.
Key points in this episode:
- Red flags like anxiety or concerns can feel like road blocks, but with a plan to address them, they become educational challenges.
- Dispelling the misconception that removing the bridle guarantees a feeling of freedom in riding; true freedom results from understanding and communication with the horse.
- Bend is a fundamental aspect of riding with the bridle on, and the concept remains important in bridleless riding.
- Advanced bending without the bridle reins is also for safety and signifies a high level of understanding between horse and rider.
- Three reasons why riders often feel dependent on the reins.
This episode, Stacy answers a listener's question about working with ‘outliers’. Outliers are horses with unique needs or circumstances. Stacy shares insights from working with outlier horses, those not following the traditional training path. There are many valuable things that can be learned from a traditional or standard paths, which also helps us define outliers.
Key Takeaways:
- Regularly plant tiny seeds in training.
- Keep requests small and rewards clear.
- Maintain a high success ratio.
- Adapt training to unique outlier situations.
- Seek similarities in behavior and thinking across different scenarios.
- Encourage horses to 'offer' answers for better results.
Stacy highlights that many of us, both humans and horses, fall into the outlier category due to various factors. She also draws parallels between training outliers and preparing for performance situations, emphasizing the need to be a keen detective in identifying and addressing issues. This approach benefits performance horses and is essential for outliers.
Links mentioned:Kyle Maynard: The Power of Failure (YouTube)
In this episode, I answer a listener question about a horse who has become heavy on the bit.
Topics include:
- The importance of identifying concerns as a crucial first step before implementing any training techniques.
- How to identify limiting beliefs or thoughts that could hold you back
- I offer a new belief…with a warning
- How to detect if you really believe the new belief and technique will work.
- The concept of a "teeter totter" in horse training, where horses naturally shift between states of lightness and heaviness, sensitivity and desensitization, and forward and less forward movement.
By addressing underlying beliefs, riders can learn more about themselves and be more effective training their horse.
In this podcast episode, I answer a question from a listener who is preparing to start their horse under saddle and has questions about the progression from a rope halter to bits with shanks.
Topics include:
Progression with a focus on understanding the purpose of each tool. Consideration of the horse's understanding level, motivation, and emotional state Direct and indirect cues are explained The importance of technique over the choice of equipment.
I also offer three questions you can ask yourself that will point toward your understanding of your goal, your technique, and your horse's understanding or lack of understanding.
A listener wrote in that she recently got a new trail horse, and she said, “he's supposed to be a "super finished" trail horse.”
But he is not acting the way she imagined a finished trail horse should…
Which brings up the question: What is a finished horse?
There are many categories that can be used to evaluate a horse, and often there are different levels within each category. In addition, ‘finished’ in one area doesn’t necessarily mean finished in other, more basic areas.
In this episode, I explain the two most common versions of ‘finished’ and how to define them.
I also share how my view of ‘never finished’ has also positively impacted my relationship with my horses.
Early in training, or early in introducing a new concept, it is an EXCELLENT idea to reward the smallest try.
But here is the question.
When do you start expecting the full answer?
This is where people often get stuck.
In this podcast, I explain the challenge that comes along with only rewarding the smallest try, ant two common thought errors that keep people from aiming for the final answer.
Subtle shouldn’t mean incomplete…but if you’re not careful, that’s what you’ll teach.
It is remarkable how well horses can learn to read a rider's seat cues.
In this podcast, I explain how I use my seat cues to communicate with my horses, including how these seat cues can naturally develop.
A seat can:
- Follow the motion
- Get ahead of the motion
- Get behind the motion
- One hip bone can be more on top of the saddle-to the left or right
- One hip bone can be leading or behind
These can be used in many combinations to communicate in detail with your horse.
In this podcast, I start at the riders' head, and talk all the way down to the seat bones. Listen first to get and idea…and the second time, sit on a chair, ball or a tolerant horse and follow along with my descriptions.
If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, you have probably heard me say, “Your horse is asking you questions.”
Sometimes people will reply, “My horse isn’t asking questions…he is making statements!”
In this episode, I explain how horses develop limiting beliefs, what useful beliefs are, and how viewing something as a statement vs a question matters.
Your horse asks questions with his body.
When a horse is being ridden, the questions they ask look like; break of gait, speeding up, diving in, falling out, reversing directions, getting stuck in reverse…and lots of other behaviors riders often label as ‘problems’.
Your horse's questions reveal his temperament.
Your horse’s questions reveal his training level.
YOUR interpretation of his behavior reveals your thinking.
The questions you ask will impact the information you gather and your entire riding experience.
Often times, the question “Am I doing this right” Or “Is this correct?” is a lightly veiled, “Is this wrong?” or “This is probably wrong…” or some variation.
You’ll know by the way it feels in your body.
One way to improve your rate of learning is to ask high-quality questions.
High-quality questions are rarely answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
High-quality questions are more specific, and inside answering them, the solution is often revealed.
In this episode I outline when the question, ‘Is this correct?’ might be useful, and I outline clear criteria for when I ask it…and how I answer it.
I also explain why it isn’t a question I ask regularly, and the method of questioning that I find much more effective for increasing awareness and creating change.
One goal when riding is an increasing consistency in your horses' response to your cues.
This will only be possible when YOU are consistent with the application of, and release of, the cue.
The quickest, most reliable way to develop this is by keeping things simple and repeating them: riding a pattern.
But then what?
And how can you know that the cue is being strengthened...not just the horse memorizing the pattern?
In this podcast, I outline
- where to go next so you can ensure the horse is, indeed, responding to your cue.
- the difference between steady pressure and rhythmic pressure
- groundwork examples
- ridden examples
- common mistakes people make
It is important to rely on repetition at first to gain consistency.
This builds a solid foundation you can return to any time you need a successful ride.
Then you can begin to do things with more authority.
Then you can do things in different locations.
Then, you can refine the communication and ask for the same thing in multiple ways.
Have you ever wondered, but how do I get him to do it for longer?
Maybe you want your horse to keep loping until you tell him to stop.
Maybe you want him to stand until you ask him to go.
Maybe you show in western dressage, and your horse keeps popping his head up during the free walk…and you want him to keep it down until you ask him to bring it back up.
A big part of getting a horse to maintain something starts with the horse’s first response.
Repeatable comes before maintainable.
Repeatable is key.
In this episode, I use three examples of where teaching something to be a strong, first response is key to future success.
If you have a question about this, go to my website and either leave a voicemail message, or email me at Stacy@stacywestfall.com
Training a horse involves creating a language between horse and rider.
It is very common for a horse to be somewhat guessing at the answer at times during this process.
Your response to their best guess, is what helps them narrow down to the one correct answer.
If you are consistent…
This language includes your cue system: how you use your legs, seat, reins, voice…and the way you show up: focused, unfocused, etc.
If your horse is unsure, he will often guess from some of the things they have most recently been rewarded for….or what he likes best.
NOTHING HAS GONE WRONG.
You are refining a language with a HORSE.
If you stay consistent, the horse will use a process of elimination to determine which answer is the correct one.
If the horse is CONSISTENTLY guessing the wrong answer…then they are confused, then you must change something to help them get closer to the correct answer.
Listen to this episode for the full explanation.
Simply put: a pattern is a planned ride.
When you ride with a plan…you’ll begin to show up consistent.
The more consistent you are…the easier it is for your horse to become consistent.
The magic of riding a pattern, especially a simple, boring pattern, is that it allows the rider to begin to observe their habits and their horse's habits. The most common habit often revealed is a riders' lack of preparation in transitions.
The opposite of riding a pattern is riding randomly.
How can you tell if you are riding randomly?
- You’ll make last-minute decisions.
- You’ll cue quickly…and with very little preparation.
- This will reflect in your horse as resistance such as head tossing, etc.
How would you benefit from riding 10 minutes a day on a ‘boring’ pattern?
What might you learn?
In this podcast, I discuss two ideas, the challenge of asking questions, and ‘why bend?’
The theme of this season of the podcast is, “No question is too small.” Today, I explain:
- why riders don’t ask more questions
- why the teacher might hesitate before answering
- what the moment of awkwardness could really be
Why bend?
- why you might skip bending
- why you might half-heartedly bend
- how bend increases safety and reduces bucking, rearing and bolting
- why bend improves balance
- advancing: the balance of bend and straightness
Do you have a seemingly simple question you’d like to ask?
Email me, you can even stay anonymous.
Ask your question because others will learn from it. Often times people don’t realize they have a question, until they hear it, and immediately identify with the question.
One major difference between the early rides on a horse, and the more finished rides on a horse, is the way the cues are used in combination. In this podcast, I describe cues as ‘doors’.
The beauty of watching an advanced horse and rider is that the cues seem so subtle that they are often hard to see.
This is true whether you watch dressage, where the rider maintains a level of contact throughout, or in reining, where the contact on the reins appears very light.
What these share in common is a subtleness.
The process of training a horse involves making things clear, and then refining those cues.
If your horse seems confused, hesitant, or resistant, it is possible he is not clear on which ‘door’ is open. Today, I explain why this could be happening and how you can determine your next step.
If you are consistently taking action, and you recognize that you are having some success, but not at the rate or speed you anticipated.this episode is for you.
Today, I’m sharing three reasons it can feel like the training process is going slower than you thought it would. LIsten, to each description, take action on the third...and you just might find that you are making more progress than you think.
Many riders experience doubt, tension, or frustration when riding because they are unsure of themselves, or are confused by their horse's response.
Many horses exhibit resistance and behavior issues because they are confused.
In this podcast I discuss:
Common reasons riders unintentionally give conflicting cues.
How and why the cue system changes as a horse advances in training.
The importance of diagnosing if your horse is confused or resistant.
Simple changes can profoundly improve your connection with your horse.
If you would like help communicating more clearly with your horse, check out my Resourceful Rider program (click here)
When I hear a rider say, ‘I’ve lost the connection with my horse.” I see red flags go up in my mind.
Here’s why.
The vast majority of the time, if I were picking a number, I’d say about 80% of the time, that I hear this AND SEE the horse being ridden…I see CUE SYSTEM CONFUSION.
When you use your reins, or apply your leg, or shift your weight, these are like individual ‘words,’ that when combined become sentences.
Your cue system with your horse is a language.
When a rider is unclear with their cues, it makes sense that the horse would be unclear about the correct answer.
If the horse responses to a cue from the rider in an unexpected way, the rider must determine how the language became muddled or confused to produce this.
But you won’t be able to do this if you think you have a connection problem.
Every time you want to say ‘It felt like I lost the connection with my horse’ I want you to replace it with “I lost the words to communicate with my horse.”
The best news is, you can learn this language. And your horse is open to listening.
I have the beautiful privilege of speaking with many people who love horses.
The majority are women.
Many of them are pursuing their horse dreams in the second half of life.
The tipping point where I meet many of these women is…the stage where they are stepping into action to pursue their dream.
In this episode, I explain the challenge of pursuing your dreams with your horse and I share, a very vulnerable moment that I frequently witness.
I hope that by explaining what is happening, I can help normalize it.
And although it is a very, very vulnerable spot…I very much hope you experience it.
In this episode, I discuss how quickly horses begin to recognize patterns of behavior, and I answer a listener question about working around feeding time.
While these may seem unrelated, I think the contrast highlights how incredibly valuable it is to recognize how you view your horse.
Do you view your horse as a dependent in constant need of care and looking after?
Or as highly capable?
Are you judging their physical ability?
Their mental ability?
A combination of both?
Confidence and self-confidence are both important. But if one skill rules them all, it is the belief that you can trust yourself.
Confidence comes from a Latin word which means "to trust"; therefore, having self-confidence is having trust in oneself.
Self-confidence is an emotion that you generate without any history to back it up or external evidence. It's based on the belief you have about yourself. It comes from thoughts like, “I will figure this out.”
Confidence is supported by experience and external evidence.
In this episode, I use the simple example of haltering a horse to illustrate how many times riders begin to collect evidence AGAINST themselves if they are not mindful of their thoughts.
As I talk through the haltering example, imagine how something more complex like riding is full of these opportunities.
At the end, I offer a physical experiment you can do to teach yourself to watch your thoughts more closely. You’ll need ten pennies or pebbles and some increased awareness.
Today, I’m answering a question that came in about bitless and/or bridleless riding. In the episode, I explain: * common mistakes people make when considering bridleless riding * the importance of understanding WHY you want to ride bridleless * assessing your horse's understanding based on past training * the differences between bit-less and bridleless riding * when I begin introducing bridleless cues * how bridleless cues are different than bit-less cues * how to create your own checklist to reach your next bridleless goal * how to double-check your work (and keep yourself safe)
And, my #1 take away after riding bridleless at a high level for 20 years.
Today I’m answering a question that came in regarding two horses owned by one person. One horse is very responsive to pressure, while the other is more bold and brave…and doesn't respond as much to pressure. The caller shares how this is causing her a challenge.
In my response, I explain:
- the importance of establishing YOUR view of responsive vs reactive
- MY view on responsive (which includes ‘responding’ by not avoiding pressure)
- emotional pressure vs physical pressure
- the idea that people tend to naturally sensitize or desensitize and why
- the potential pros and cons of combining riders who like to sensitize and sensitive horses
- the importance of understanding YOUR view on pressure
- the ‘test’ I used before riding a horse that shows me their understanding of emotional control (expressed through a physical test)
I asked riders this question, "Is there a feeling you really struggle with that seems to be affecting your riding?"
These are a few of the answers: self doubt, battling negative thoughts, imposter syndrome, inadequate, anxious, nervous, anticipating problems, judging myself, sad, frustration (time frame…taking longer than expected), lack of confidence, anxiety, fear, fear, annoyed, ashamed, mental exhaustion, short tempered, unsure, lack trust, annoyed, disappointment, frustration, uncertainty, worry, low self esteem, depression, frustration, anger, grief, alone, tense, overwhelmed, doubt, (time frame), lack of confidence, defeat, self-pity, dependence, guilt, frustration
In this podcast, I share:
- the problem with denying negative emotions
- five signs you may be a reactive rider
- what reactive riders create
- traits of a proactive rider
- the skills you need to become a proactive rider
If you would like to be notified when I offer another free training session (as mentioned in the podcast) go to my website and join my email list.
This week, I’m answering a listener question about training vs emotional ‘deposits’ when spending time with a horse.
I answer this question from several angles, including:
- earning’ the right to be in their space.
- seeing the horses side of the conversation
- your human view of work
- what Professional trainers must identify
- what non trainers (horse owners) must identify
- DISTRACTED horse…getting ‘rewarded’
- rules, boundaries and training cycles
Can you DEEPLY enjoy all the time spent together…even the ‘work’ parts?
Today, I’m answering a question that came in about my philosophy of ‘earning the right to be in each other's space.” The caller explains that she understands the concept as it applies to a pushy horse having to earn the right to enter her space. She is curious about how this concept applies to timid or fearful horses. Other concepts discussed include:
- a horse being distracted or not interested is discussed as a separate issue from earning the right to be in each other's space.
- how curiosity impacts both the pushy and the timid horse
- the importance of training the emotional state
- fight/flight/freeze
- the problem with being sneaky
- the importance of showing up in the same energy that you would if you were riding a horse you were confident on.
- timid horses are drawn to powerful energy
On today’s podcast I’m going to share with you a three step way to evaluate your corrections when you’re training your horse. I actually don’t like the word correction…but I’m using it because it gets to the essesnce of the problem the quickest. In the podcast I will explain why corrections cause more problems and how I choose a different technique.
Let’s start with the three criteria I use when evaluating a technique.
I think these are easier to understand if you put yourself into specific situations, so imagine as I say this, that you are loading a horse in a trailer.
The criteria I use for evaluating your techniques would be: 1-your emotions 2-the technique (if anticipated, does it create positive response) 3-horses, response or reaction (indicates their level of understanding)
Punishment example: horse stops moving forward on the way to the trailer, you begin jerking the rope and backing him up. This fails my criteria number 2. If anticipated, this horse logically goes backward when anticipating your correction. This is what puts it into a punishment category instead of a training or teaching category. In a teaching situation, the guidance the rider gives DURING the problem, if anticipated, causes the horse to get better. This approach is highly effective and is much more enjoyable for the horse and rider.
I received this question, decided to make it a podcast topic because I have recently experienced a significant setback that derailed my plans.
I see three types of life issues that can bring you to a halt.
1) Mindset issues: This can show up as fear, limiting beliefs, or EMOTIONS YOU WOULD PREFER TO AVOID. It often feels like resistance.
2) A temporary circumstance that derails your plans. An example of this would be me breaking my hand in January and missing three months of riding. This is a temporary situation that does truly take you off your planned path… The biggest risk here is often that, although it is temporary, my hand is going to become fully useful, and I will be able to continue on… The greatest risk is that your mind might leave the facts of the situation, three month delay) and loop back into mindset issues.
3) The third type of life issue that can bring things to a halt is a circumstance that permanently closes a door. The death of a horse, for example.
When you hit a wall, or get derailed, it is tough to recover if you haven’t been practicing some type of emotional weight lifting with smaller things. The thought patterns you practice in the small things is what leads to the ability to keep going when the bigger things happen.
I often get questions like, “How do I keep my horse from getting bored?” or “How do I keep repetitive things from becoming boring?” or statements like “My horse got bored with that, so I changed it up.”
One reason this is interesting to me is because…I don’t have bored horses. Yet, if you were to watch me day to day…I seem to do a lot of repetitive things that could easily be seen as boring.
In this episode, I share and explore the topic of boredom from both the human and the horse perspective. I share the problems that I often see occur when riders try to solve the problem of ‘boredom’ when the actual issue is something entirely different.
In this episode, I am wrapping up the ‘horse show’ season of the podcast. Showing has hugely impacted my development as a rider, and in this episode I share two lessons I learned directly from showing.
One was really challenging. The other is pure goodness.
I close by sharing some of the many reasons listed by people when I asked, “Why do you like going to horse shows?”
If you’re ready to increase the effectiveness of your training and strengthen your relationship with your horse, I invite you to apply for my Advance at Home program.
During the program, we will work one on one, and you will learn to understand the training process from your horses point of view, you’ll learn to be clear and effective with your cues, and we will take a closer look at your day to day habits that are slowing your progress with your horse.
Just head over to stacywestfall.com and click on Advance at Home to learn more and apply. Applications close March 28th.
In this podcast, I’m discussing three viewpoints THAT ARE happening in other aspects of riding…but are most clear in showing. Understanding these three roles will improve your understanding of your riding challenges.
Phrases or thoughts like: “oops, I messed that up”, “that was terrible” “ooh, that was bad”, “I hope they didn’t notice that” and “lets try that again” are all clues to the way you are thinking…and they happen in and out of the show arena.
When you attend a horse show and ride into a class, there are three different ways you can show up; as the showman, as the trainer, or as the judge. Most people are jumping around between these three without knowing it, which is less effective and exhausting.
Learn what each of these roles has to offer and how understanding them can improve the quality of the time spent with your horse.
Learning the skill of establishing a calculated plateau will require you to know yourself, know your horse, and exercise self-control.
A calculate plateau happens when a rider chooses to stay at, or return to a known level of skill. This is beneficial for creating consistency and confidence in the horse and rider. It also proves that the rider knows their horse well enough that they can create this.
In this podcast, I explain what a calculated plateau is and is NOT as well as the benefits. One of the main benefits of creating plateaus in show situations is to prevent over-showing, which is a state of mind. It is asking the horse, and/or yourself, to perform at a higher level than you are consistently capable of doing in regular training.
Here is how I would describe the ideal rider and horse experience at a horse show:
Ideally, the rider is focus on: -what's happening with the horse (the horse's experience) - the task at hand (test, obstacle, etc.) - what the rider needs to adjust or change or continue doing to support the horse and complete the task
Ideally, the horse is focused on the rider with a soft awareness of surroundings.
THE CHALLENGE is learning to navigate multiple areas of focus, seemingly at the same time.
Showing often brings up an awareness of what is not working, including: the rider forgetting the pattern, not supporting the horse, not focused on adjusting to the actual environment, and/or what others might think about their riding.
Also discussed are common horse issues, the role of mistakes and growth mindset as you advance as a rider. The benefits of riding with FOCUS and the side effects that are beneficial in all areas of riding.
A listener calls in and explains that she has previously enjoyed showing, and would like to show again…but a few thing have changed. She is older, and now lives in an area where she doesn’t know as many people. She says, “The fear that is preventing me from showing my horse is the fear of getting hurt or getting someone else hurt.”
In this episode I outline the importance if understanding that fear can be pointing towards an unwanted (negative) emotion, or. fear can pointing towards danger, or both can be present. Also discussed are the challenges that change with age and a change of situation, the power in acknowledging what specifically you are afraid of, the reasons why traveling brings up issues and ideas for how to assess and proactively approach the challenge.
In this episode, I discuss the benefits of a show environment, and why insecure horses can learn to thrive at shows. Topics include:
- Three different types of show environments.
- The challenge of going to a show with many beginners.
- Overall show routine vs your individual routine that bridges between home and the show
- Why insecure horses can thrive at shows
- The difference between fearful and insecure.
And five mistakes people often make when taking insecure horses to show.
In this podcast, I answer a listener's question about riding in different disciplines on the same horse. Topics discussed include: * how the horse's original training was approached (was it based in reactivity or responsiveness (the ability to think through versus reacting) * the horses talent in the discipline. * the riders talent in the discipline. * where frustration could come from and how to prevent it. * pros and cons of working on both disciplines at the same time versus dedicating a season to a discipline. * switching bits when switching disciplines.
In this episode, I discuss the difference between the mentality of showing versus training. These are complementary systems when you understand the difference between them.
Showing is polishing. Showing is taking a test. Showing is an external evaluation. The judge’s job is to evaluate against a standard.
Training is communicating. Training is teaching, clarifying, adjusting, and understanding how to break things into smaller parts to create success.
Showing offers many benefits that complement training. One benefit is developing the riders ‘eye’ or the ability to see what is happening.
In this episode, explain how showing does this and also clarify that you can find these things outside of showing if you know what to look for. They just happen to be more obvious when showing and more subtle in many other areas.
In this episode, I discuss the concept of high value and low-value cycles. I define what they are and share one tool I use to avoid or get out of a low-value cycle. This is work worth doing to create long-term success.
Are you confused about how to make your dream into a goal? If you are, you are not alone. This is especially common with riders who have relationship type goals.
_To form the bond I have always dreamed of. _I dream of having a connection with him…. _To do anything on my horse with more confidence, and just have fun_
Relationship isn’t WHAT you do…its how you handle the questions or challenge that come up.
SO LET’S THINK OF THIS BACKWARDS FOR A MOMENT. If you desire to: “To form the bond I have always dreamed of.”
What would you DO…if you had that bond? Would you go gallop down a trail? Haul to the mountains and go camping?
If you: “dream of having a connection with him…._”
What would you go DO…if you had that connection? Would ride through the countryside to visit a friend? Would you go on a cattle drive?
If you could snap your fingers…and instantly know that you could: “do anything on my horse with more confidence, and just have fun.” _ What would you go DO? Would you enter a show? Maybe try reining or dressage or jumping?
If you had a better connection WITH your horse…what would you go do?
What if you have it backward? What if the goal is what helps you develop the relationship?
What if achieving your goal was simple? Not necessarily easy…as in requiring little effort. But simple, as in, one thing you could do that would ensure progress.
Does your goal require that your horse develops a high level of fitness? Or is it more focused on refining cues and communication? Or does it include a balance of both? Is your main challenge riding regularly? Or riding with more focus? Or sticking to the plan you made? What one thing could you set out to do…that if you did it repeatedly…would ensure progress toward your goal?
If you’re saying to yourself, “That was too much. I need to cut back this year.” This podcast is for you.
There are times when adjusting your goals is in your best interest. But before you decide if you will repeat a goal or change it, remember to factor in what HAS changed…which is you.
YOU are not the same person you were a year ago. If you repeat the same goal, you will not be on the same journey…even though you are heading to the same destination.
At the beginning of last year, you didn’t know all the things that wouldn’t work or plans that would fall through. Lots of what you discovered was what DIDN’T work, and that can feel overwhelming. Sometimes people throw out the idea of repeating a goal because they remember feeling overwhelmed. But remember, you are a different person, with different knowledge.
Taking time to reflect on what you have learned and what you would do different might reveal that you can get twice as much done this next year with half as much effort.
You’ll still have the option of changing your goals. There isn’t a right or wrong answer here…but there is a way to make the decision that feels like embracing everything you learned, and then making a choice.
Self-doubt is often born out of a low-value cycle.
“I could have done better.” sound so innocent. But what it really begins a little spiral of self-doubt.
The next time you have to make a decison, a part of you will feel doubt, because you KNOW you’ll be judging yourself in the future.
Your treatment of yourself during a review, greatly impacts your willingness to participate.
It is possible to look at your past actions and learn from them without judging yourself for making the choice. It is possible to stay neutral about the choice, feel disappointment about the result, AND learn from the experiences.
On your horsemanship journey, you will experience many emotions. You will likely make choices that you won’t want to repeat.
Changing your behavior is possible without adding shame or criticism.
Make the decision. Have your own back. Accept it as done and complete. AND realize you are still free to choose differently.
When a rider sets a goal or begins to struggle, they are often tempted to heavily focus on the ‘how.’ This often appears as a heavy focus on the horse's body or the rider's body.
The real ‘how’ of reaching a goal or finding your path through a current struggle is a combination of the things you do, and the way you think.
Riders who focus on the action steps only begin to fall into ‘how greed’ and are even more likely to ignore the more subtle emotions that are ‘coloring’ the riding session. ‘How greed’ is a symptom of a low-value cycle, and without practiced awareness, your brain will automatically default to this. High-value thinking is created intentionally and can become a cycle. It will also reveal your personal success pattern. Your success pattern is how you navigate the tough stuff.
The more time you spend in high-value cycles, the more success you will have.
In this podcast, I explain how it is possible to teach a horse to offer desirable responses. I describe it as having a ‘conversation’ with a horse. I discuss the theory AND I give actual riding examples, including a link to a video example.
Inside a conversation, there are ‘gaps’ or spaces left for the other in the conversation to reply. What your horse offers in these gaps tells you what he is thinking.
I explain how the ‘gap’ changes as the horse’s advance in training, and what to do if the horse fills the gap with a ‘creative’ idea.
I also cover what doesn’t work, which is just LEAVING A GAP over and over. If you leave the gap…and they offer something undesirable…repeating that pattern doesn’t create clarity for the horse.
In this episode, I discuss the difference in the energy of starting something new, versus re-starting something after your plans were interrupted.
New starts often come with an excited type of energy.
Re-starting is an entirely different skill set.
It requires you to use a different energy and a different way of thinking.
I explain how it is possible to use the longing or desire that I felt during the interruption, to fuel me when I’m restarting.
Long-term plans will likely be interrupted.
Understanding how to re-start effectively will ensure you make more consistent progress toward your dream.
Listen while you prep for Thanksgiving, or anytime you need a reminder of what horses bring to your life.
I asked…and YOU answered.
Messages flooded in from around the world sharing why you love horses, why you are thankful for horses…and how horses have changed your life.
Horses are good for the soul.
Challenges. Triumphs.
Friends, conversation.
Time stops. Worries leave. Peace.
Companions to my grief.
Wonder, joy, love, adrenaline, fear.
Magic. Connection. Mutual respect.
Unconditional love, respect. Focus.
Joy. Gratitude. Compassion.
Purpose and belonging.
In my element.
Learning about myself.
How to be a better person.
Calm. Self awareness. Sensitivity.
Open, willing. Better, kinder, smarter human.
A chance to see the world from their back.
Beauty. Strength.
Escape.
Grow, learn, inspired.
“I Can.”
Peace, love, joy.
Grounded. Focused. Sane.
Considerate.
…and so much more.
Thanks for sharing, for inspiring, and for listening.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Have you heard the statement, “There are no stupid questions.”
It's a common saying because it's a common problem.
Students fear asking a question because they would rather not appear stupid.
On the flip side, teachers also have the challenge of explaining things clearly, without reacting to the idea that a student might misinterpret this.
It is worth looking at both of these scenarios because it is very likely that you will find yourself in both roles: student and teacher.
As the teacher, do the hard work of going back and reviewing the basics whenever you think it would serve the student.
As the student, ask the questions that occur to you without pre-judging them yourself with labels like, “this is too basic, too simple, I’ll sound stupid asking…”
This is work worth doing to improve your human to human experience, and it can help you understand your role as teacher to your horse as well.
The good news is…your horse won’t worry about appearing stupid, AND will continue to ask the questions. What kind of teacher will you be?
Reflection is different from remembering.
Reflecting is looking back at experiences and making sense of them from your current point of view. It is the intention of learning from the past that makes it reflecting.
One challenge people face is looking back without judging themselves for the choices they made.
When I ask, “What could I have done differently?” it is intended to reveal the multitude of choices I had…so I can understand why I chose the one that I did.
In this sense, the question isn’t about whether I selected the right or wrong path, but rather how I made the decision.
This type of clarity will show me my decision-making habits. Understanding why I chose what I did helps me understand who I was at that moment, and then I can decide if I want to make similar or different choices in the future.
This is an invitation for YOU to share and inspire us.
Thanksgiving (here in the US) is two weeks away and I would like to feature listeners like YOU on the podcast.
Participating is easy.
Call in and leave your voicemail.
- Tell me why you own horses.
- Tell me why you ride.
- Tell me something a horse taught you that changed you.
You can make it as short as you want and the max length is 90 seconds.
Click here to go to my website, then click the orange button on the right hand side that says, “Send Voicemail for Podcast Use”
I look forward to hearing from you…and to sharing what everyone has to say.
Imagine how much freedom you would feel if you could watch videos of your rides and see what is working first, instead of only seeing what wasn’t.
Or imagine committing to training your horse…and having the side effect of losing 20 pounds as a byproduct.
Some concepts, like doing ’thought work’ or ‘mindset work’ can seem very vague if talked about in general terms.
On today's podcast, I share with you the power of this work, in a way that will also move it out of a ‘concept’ and into reality. Listen as two students share moments of their journey that provide insights into their remarkable results.
What is the point of planning your ride…if you don’t follow through on the plan?
And if you plan, but then ride without regard to your full experience in the moment, or your horse's full experience…did the plan help or hurt?
In this episode, I share an example of a moment when I needed to re-evaluate my plan for the day. I explain how I decide to continue on with the plan or when and how I decide to stop, or even go back to review more basic skills.
I’ll explain the power of plateaus and how sometimes the best time to stop is when the plan is working brilliantly.
You have two choices when riding; plan your transitions or ride reacting to what is happening.
Planning your transitions when riding involves the mental transition as well as the physical transition.
Mental transition: “I will begin there”
Physical transition: change of gait, change of bend, etc.
Planning may sound tedious or boring, but the benefits include:
- planning increases your awareness of your habits
- planning increases your awareness of your horse's habits
- planning will smooth out your transition
Listen to learn how increasing your focus in this area can help you create your training plan and advance your riding.
When you work with your horse, you look at his body to understand his full experience. You probably notice his physical responses to your cues, as well as physical clues to his emotional state.
Have you stopped to consider that your horse is doing the same thing?
Just as your horse's emotional state is reflected in his body, YOUR emotional state is reflected in your body, too.
Rider’s tend to focus on physical cues they give the horse, for example, the application of the rein, leg, or seat aids.
The bigger impression you make is with your energy, which is the expression of your emotions in your body.
As humans, we have a unique ability to disconnect. This can be a problem if we do it when with our horses…because your horse is constantly reading your body.
The best news is that this is a skill.
It is something that can be taught.
It is something you can learn.
Listen and learn more.
Are you a Resourceful Rider?
Examples of resourcefulness include:
1-Being strategic about how you leverage your resources;
2-Not wasting time and money;
3-Getting the best out of what you have;
4-Being flexible and adaptable;
5-Thinking outside the box;
6-Being willing to learn new skills or develop existing ones when necessary.
Listen now hear specific horseback riding examples of each of these.
Being resourceful is a skill that can be learned, practiced and enjoyed. It can help you achieve things you didn’t think were possible…until you looked at it from a different view.
I recorded this audio while riding Willow bridleless; day 2.
My point: I didn’t set out to ride Willow bridleless, as in, the thought was NOWHERE in my mind.
Yet, we arrived here.
Looking back at our journey, you could say we took many detours…or you could say that I consistently took the next most obvious step.
Consider what would happen if you took these two steps, over and over and over again:
1- remember why you are doing this. What was your dream-goal?
2-take committed action.
Sometimes the next, most obvious step…really is the best choice.
200 episodes and over 1,000,000 downloads later…its working!
200 episodes and over 1,000,000 downloads later…
When I started this podcast, I wanted to help riders understand their horses, so they could create clear, confident, communication…and it’s working!
To celebrate reaching these milestones, I’m sharing my student success stories. These moments are glimpses into the process of gaining clarity through understanding. You can hear both the struggle and the breakthrough, as well as the enjoyment and the success.
Thanks for listening!
The trickiest concept of them all…If the horse gives the ‘incorrect’ answer…it doesn’t necessarily mean you taught the lesson wrong.
This one can make you crazy…
Or it can make you micromanage…
Or it can tempt you to force things to happen…
The challenge is that in teaching the horse…we are always getting feedback from them, but if they give the ‘incorrect’ answer…it doesn’t necessarily mean you taught the lesson wrong.
If the horse questions you…and you think his feedback means you’re doing it wrong…you might change what you're doing…even though the horse was just asking if some previous answer could apply here...or was offering something creative...or was asking for clarification.
What stands in the way of reaching your dream?
The ability to hold belief for the amount of time it takes to achieve it.
But…
If it's as simple as believing…why don’t we just believe?
There are many hidden benefits to NOT believing.
It conserves energy, allows you to stay where you are, and lets you experience less of the uncomfortable emotions that often come with trying new things.
But…
What if you ARE capable?
What if you can do it if you just keep going?
Learning to hold space for belief is a skill you can learn.
I’ll explain more in the podcast.
The difference between testing, training, and micromanaging is TIMING.
If you are not sure of the difference in timing there, is a much higher chance that you will be frequently ‘correcting’ mistakes, or you’ll find yourself trying to prevent mistakes.
There is a way to train your horse that feels like guiding instead of ‘correcting’. In this podcast, I share how you can set your horse up for success, stop micromanaging and ‘test’ when you are confident the horse knows the answer.
Have you every considered asking more of your horse and thought, “I’m afraid my horse might stop meeting me at the gate.” Or maybe you took a lesson or tried a new technique and the next day when you went out you thought, “I’m surprised my horse still met me at the gate.”
If you have ever had a thought along this line, it’s time to take a more in-depth look at where this is coming from. In this podcast, I outline three places these thought commonly stem from. I also explain the stage of learning where it is normal for the horse to have this question. Finally, I share the thoughts I have that have prevented me from every having this thought.
Everything that creates safety or leads to advancing requires an ability to clearly communicate to the horse's body.
Yet, the system of communication changes as the horse's understanding grows.
Often the horse is first taught to turn from direct rein pressure…but many riders ideally want to steer with a neck rein or their body.
How is this transition possible?
It is possible when the horse realizes that all the cues that are given are communicating with the body.
In this podcast, I share two ways that riders often disconnect the feet and body instead of connecting them more and more.
Are you struggling to advance with your horse?
Does it feel like you are on a plateau thats ‘ok’…but not what you want it to be?
You might be ready to enter the messy middle.
I could try to dress it up with a better name but instead I’ll share with you:
What the messy middle is.
The #1 symptom when people try to skip it.
And why it really isn’t as messy as it seems.
If you dream about riding a horse on a loose rein with collection, but can’t quite figure out how to get there, this ones for you.
Are you struggling to advance with your horse?
Does it feel like you are on a plateau thats ‘ok’…but not what you want it to be?
You might be ready to enter the messy middle.
I could try to dress it up with a better name but instead I’ll share with you:
What the messy middle is.
The #1 symptom when people try to skip it.
And why it really isn’t as messy as it seems.
If you dream about riding a horse on a loose rein with collection, but can’t quite figure out how to get there, this ones for you.
In this episode, I outline three examples where I often see riders using ‘low’ energy to try to influence their horse. In each example, I share what I see and the challenges that often come from this method.
What do you believe about low energy? Is low energy better than high energy? Does the idea of using strong or powerful energy around your horse seem: wrong, unnecessary, or even bad?
What If I said that the ability to have a strong, powerful energy around your horse would actually make your cues more clear and subtle?
I believe it does, and I explain it with examples in this podcast.
Do you have a thought, that you are not aware of, that is holding you back?
While this might seem like an impossible question to answer- it’s not.
It is however a higher level idea that will require you to do some work.
In this podcast, I share a story to illustrate how a hidden thought showed up for one young lady and how we uncovered it. Then I explain how this could be showing up in your work with your horse and the signs to look for. Finally, I share a very specific exercise you can do the next time you are at the barn to help uncover your hidden thoughts.
When I say that I ride the same pattern over and over again in training, the most common question is, “Doesn’t the horse memorize the pattern?”
In this podcast, I explain:
- the reasons I teach with simple patterns
- how using the same pattern with different techniques can help you understand how the technique influences the horse
- why switching patterns when horses anticipate the pattern actually robs you of a great training opportunity.
There are three stages that horses and riders go through if they ride my four leaf clover pattern over and over again. Riders who commit to moving through all three stages create a situation where both horse and rider realize, it was never about the pattern at all.
It was about improving communication.
Are you willing to be out of sync with your horse to make progress?
In this podcast, I talk about the idea of moving faster or slower than your horse as a concept that exists both physically, and mentally.
When physically riding a horse, it makes sense that you could be
’ahead’ of the horse's motion, ‘with’ the horse's motion, or ‘behind’ the horse's motion.
When riders learn how to ride, they are taught to move with the horse at all times. What if the next level of learning happens when you aim for another position?
I also share how this ‘ahead’, ‘with’, ‘behind’ can also show up mentally when working with your horse. A listener shares a success story that illustrates how getting ‘ahead’ can bring a horse into a state of being ‘with’…and it feels truly amazing.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just read a book or see a demonstration once…and just do the new thing with ease?
The reality is often quite different. I would even go as far as saying that the process is backward from what we desire.
Take the example of changing a current habit, where you release the rein, to a new habit…a slightly different release point.
First, you must gain awareness of the new release point. Maybe an instructor or a video suggests this change.
When you go out to practice…you will often realize AFTER you have missed the timing…that you were late.
Eventually, with practice, you’ll get closer and closer to the timing, maybe you'll even notice DURING…but you’ll probably still notice you’re a moment late.
Then, with enough practice, you’ll see the proper timing BEFORE the moment approaches…and you’ll release with perfect timing.
The challenge is that both the ‘after’ and the ‘during’ stages feel like constant mistakes. And you can choose to view them that way, or you can view this as the practice you need to finally achieve your new habit.
This podcast was recorded while I was on a long, ‘non’ specific ride.
I categorize riding sessions into four different types to increase my awareness and effectiveness.
I often teach students how to do short, very specific rides. You’ll hear why in the podcast.
This could be a pep talk for how to ride for time and effectiveness…AND it could also be considered ‘permission’ to do long, nonspecific rides for enjoyment.
Self-concept is how you perceive your behaviors and abilities. It affects your motivation, attitude, and behavior. It is possible that your self concept is slowing you down more than your technical skills.
Signs your self concept might need an upgrade:
- You have trouble staying motivated to work with your horse.
- When you do work with your horse, you see mostly what isn’t working.
- When you do have success, you quickly have thoughts like ‘this is a fluke’, or ‘I won’t be able to do it again.’
Improving your self concept is more than just thinking better thoughts. It is a skill that you can learn. I give real life examples that clearly illustrate the power of this concept.
Have you developed the skill of evaluating your rides?
The skill of evaluating yourself is highly valuable. It improves your ability to be fully present during your ride, it makes you more coachable when you receive instruction, and you get results faster.
If all this is true…why do people resist evaluating themselves?
The main reason people avoid it is that they haven’t learned how…so they default to criticism and self judgement.
Evaluating yourself is a SKILL that you can develop. It is a process you can learn. In this episode, I explain the value, the challenges and offer two tips for overcoming the resistance to evaluating yourself.
A listener asks a question about changing her horse's pushy, fidgety behavior on the ground. She asks, “How can I deconstruct a behavior or a reaction and rebuild a more favorable behavior?”
This podcast discusses the difference between training (or retraining) and deconstructing or rebuilding. During training or retraining, the horse is often learning the building blocks that create a solid foundation. Once the horse understands these building blocks, the concept of deconstructing or rebuilding is the idea that those foundation ideas can be rearranged to create many things. Listen to learn more.
A listener asks how to correct her mouthy horse and how to keep mouthiness or biting from happening in the first place. In this podcast, I explain why biting happens, the most common problem I see people making, and I give actionable instructions on how to be more engaging, interesting and clear.
Learning how to prevent this behavior will also teach you a skill that is useful and transferable from groundwork into ridden work too.
A listener asks how she can sit the lope or canter without popping out of the saddle. She says, “I seem to pop out of the saddle quite a bit…Some people ride so quiet in a saddle, others seem to come up out of the saddle as their horse moves. I can't seem to sit to him as much as I try.”
In answering the question I discuss: how the horses build affects the rider, how the horses training level impacts their ability to ‘lift’ or carry a rider…and how if this is lacking it makes the horse difficult to ride smoothly, the stages where it is more approprate to sit lightly vs deeply...and several ways you can improve your seat.
What would you do if your horse started to lie down while you were riding?
Here are some reasons a horse might try to lay down when riding:
- Horse is interested in rolling in water, mud or sand.
- Horse is itchy from sweat or bugs.
- Horse is colicky.
- Horse has discovered that laying down is rewarded.
In this episode, I cover these and a few more possibilities and I share the cue that both discourages, redirects…and is the ‘end’ cue for horses that are trained to lie down on purpose.
A listener calls in, “My question is about how to create forward without creating negative tension.” This starts a discussion on how riders often bring tension to the session, including both their worry about causing tension AND in their cue system application. I discuss how my cue system changes between colt starting and more advanced movements, including the idea that sometimes the 2nd grade version contains more energy.
I include an actionable ‘test’ you can perform the next time you lead your horse from the pasture or the stall, as well as a discussion on stretching the horse's comfort zone. Finally, at the end, I pull it all together by describing how I use relaxation as a base I return to.
A listener asks a question about her mare, who at first appears, “…very good and calm, until she's worked out what it is we're doing and starts to anticipate.” The answer involves understanding the riders' role in both the calm and the anticipation, identifying how anticipation can look different between hot and cold horses, and a training exercise to help adjust what the horse is anticipating.
A listener asks a question about the different levels of contact between dressage and reining. On the surface this seems like a question about a horse accepting the change between the two…but I took the answer much deeper than that.
I explain how the rider's opinion of contact changes the horse's experience, and two specific reasons I think riders feel challenged around contact. I give many examples of how horses can report their experience of contact, and I share the specific order that I train my horses in that allows them to view contact as support…not correction.
I also touch on bridleless riding and the idea of self carriage and the feeling of riding a fully adjustable horse.
A listener expresses a desire to build relationship and connection with her horse and asks, “what does my horse really like to do?”
In this podcast, I discuss my views on the learning process in general, what role physical talent plays in the enjoyment of learning (hint: it's not what you likely think), and the idea that the concept of what is ‘hard’ and what is easy might be something to take a closer look at.
Why do I pursue so many disciplines with my horses? I answer that in this episode too.
What is the first thing that comes to mind if you picture a horse keeping its ears back? Do you think aggression? Pain? Doubt? In this podcast, a listener asks for advice on working with confident young horses that often keep their ears back. I outline two groups of words that I typically use to describe these horses including skeptical and focused. I also share two rules I use to keep myself safe while creating a situation that encourages the horses to have more pleasant expressions during work.
horse-play: Noun
1. rough, boisterous play."this ridiculous horseplay has gone far enough"
A listener asks a question about a horse that bucks when being lead. I discuss two main concepts; how the rider views the horses maturity age and the concept of ‘earning the right to be near me’ (and me earning the right to be near them). I also share tips on how I address this and how I prevent it from becoming an allowed way of thinking and acting.
A listener calls in and asks reports that she can only touch her nine-month-old foal if she is holding food. In this episode, I describe how this situation might be viewed differently from the horse's perspective…and how the caller might even be coming across as sneaky or suspicious. Then I describe one way to set up a situation where the owner can practice showing up and taking actions that will reward specific behavior in the foal. This exercise will increase the amount of emotional pressure the foal can handle, which will make touching and future training easier.
“I’m terrified to ride her. I'm terrified to be in the pasture with her. I'm terrified to screw her up. I'm scared to get on. I've tried to ride my old horse to gain some confidence back. But at this point in time, I'm scared and I want to find the joy I used to have in riding. Any help would be great.”
While answering this listener question, I discuss the difference between a physical threat causing discomfort or mental thought causing discomfort. I discuss separating physical danger from what it feels like to experience your mind creating an emotion. I also share how to identify a ‘clean’ emotion, so you can decide if it is useful or if it is holding you back.
Help! “My horse “flinches” at everything. I mean everything – including me sniffing. Somedays are worse than others. My trainer has kindly talked to me about it being me. I try so hard to be relaxed and positive, but I will admit, I am a bit “on guard”. Any tips for this situation!?!?!?!?!”
I have certian situations where I feel this same way and I’m sharing the exact tool I use in this situation. I explain how it allows me to feel more in control and prepared, gauge my level of tension, and desensitize myself and my horse to startling noises.
A listener asks a question about ‘changing the story in your head about a horse…and knowing when it's time to move on.’
Often times, the story we have in our head is a mixture of fact and story. Separating out the facts is useful. Pretending the facts don’t exist, so we can pretend to have a different story, is not useful.
It IS natural to have one story about a horse that does change over time in a healthy way.
The phrase ‘not the right fit for me’ is also used, which could point toward several things, including the idea of a horse ‘fitting’ you or having a temperament that you enjoy in a similar way as your best friend.
Finally, I bring up the way that I would approach looking at this question if I were exploring it myself.
Today, I’m answering two questions about fearful horses.
I’ll discuss the dance I see between the natural flight instinct, training, a horse's speed of learning and accidental rewards. Sometimes the idea of flight, fight, or freeze can leave us thinking that horses are limited. What makes some horse more reactive? What role does the riders' response to the situation play in future situations? What is a 1-second spook? Here are some new ways to look at a common problem.
Why do some horses resist bending in the direction of the circle when being lunged or ridden? Two listeners called in asking versions of this question. The answer includes; defining bend and counter-bend, deciding why we want bend, determining the ‘big picture’ with bend and why some horses seem distracted. I also introduce the concept of ‘rebound’, or the horses desire to immediately pull away from the bending rein. I share two different reasons this happens and offer new ways to look at the challenge of bend.
A listener asks about how to prepare her 4 year old for his first big horse show.
Topics discussed when answering include:
- how to prep depending on the result you’re after (big show or first show),
- the importance of understanding your horses default (naturally steady, naturally skeptical),
- knowing the training routine/pattern that helps your horse recover
- how to prepare yourself and your horse for the feeling of ‘focused intensity’ that riders often have at shows.
Observant riders become skilled at predicting what the horse needs to produce confidence and consistency. First this happens at home…then it transfers to shows.
Obstacles can become stepping stones to your dreams!
In this podcast I’ll discuss; Why people avoid setting goals or quit, the role of dreams, dealing with the obstacle you know…and the obstacles you don’t.
As a bonus, I also share how to make more theoretical the goal’s like ‘gain confidence’ into actionable, measurable steps.
If you are ready to take consistent steps towards your dream, go download the free workbook and PDF that go with this and get started today!
Does it ever feel like the more you learn-the further you are from arriving?
This week I read, Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long Term Fulfillment by George Leonard. In this podcast, I read five passages and explain how I see them show up in the journey with horses. This totally explains why my recent goal setting has been a struggle. Listen to learn what mastery is...and isn't...as well as how, "To love the plateau is to love what is most essential and enduring in your life."
I love that I sound like a bit of a mess in this episode.
This year I’m setting a goal that is hard to measure and even a bit of a challenge to put into words. I do a lot of journaling but this subject had me a bit stuck which is my clue that I need a little help from a friend.
In this episode you’ll hear Suzi help me talk through ‘untangling my brain.’ And joy of all joys…I actually make a connection at the end of the podcast that will echo through the rest of 2022!
Do you pause each year to reflect back on the things you did…or didn’t…accomplish?
In this conversation my good friend Suzi Vlietstra helps me do just that. As you listen, I hope you reflect and can hear how we are cleaning up our thinking before starting the next. I find that bouncing ideas off a good friend, or listening in to someone doing this, can help me think about things from a new perspective. I hope this conversation does that for you.
I think there can be a magical dance between dreaming and doing.
In this podcast I discuss:
- dreaming and the nuts-and-bolts of training
- why it looks like some trainers don’t like horses
- how to make progress when you aren’t sure exactly what you want to do with your horse
- the idea that all disciplines share the same foundation training
The phrase “I don’t know how...” is often said with a sense of defeat but it can also be freeing. ‘I don’t know how…but I’m going for it anyway.’
What if it means you are ready to learn?
If you do decide to go for it…you’ll likely experience 'want', as in wanting it.
‘Want’ can be uncomfortable and is often tangled together with disappointment, failure, and self criticism.
Have you ever practiced ‘wanting’? I’ll share an example of a way to develop the strength to sit with pure WANT…
Choosing a yearly theme is a great way to guide your brain in a new direction. Unlike specific goals, themes are there as a guiding principal. A theme is broad and is often something that will cross several areas of your life.
Themes are also more flexible in nature because they are here to increase your awareness, there is no specific end target. If you’re not a fan of goal setting consider trying a yearly theme. If you do like goal setting a yearly theme can help you reach those goals.
What would happen if you got in the habit of surprising yourself with what you are capable of?
What if the SIDE EFFECT of your measurable goals…is who you want to become? What if confidence is a byproduct?
1- pick something that excites you and scares you a little
2-decide why you want to do it
3- decide why you haven’t done it yet
4- list as many steps as you can think of now (this won’t be accurate)
5- decide if you want to commit
AND…YOU MUST know in your bones if you’re willing to do the work.
Otherwise it’s ok to start over with a new goal.
I see a dance between the words; thankful, grateful and compassion. When you make your ’I’m thankful for…’ list, do you make it on the list?
There is a good chance you don’t because many people are worried about feeling vain or narcissistic. What if you could practice thankfulness and self compassion and it improved your relationship with your horse?
In this podcast, I discuss thankfulness, self compassion, failure and I share an inside-out thankfulness assignment to increase awareness.
When someone makes a comment there is; what we hear, what we make it mean and how we can learn from it.
A judge wrote, “You got just about every possible point out of this willing, obedient horse who is just not gifted with elasticity. Good training.” Not everyone reacted the same as I did to this.
I’ve also had people say things that I DID negatively react to. I share my thoughts on why these comments ‘sting’.
The true power in someone else's words comes from our interpretation of them.
Going ALL IN on a goal contains many learning opportunities.
In this podcast, I discuss these three challenges and how I overcame them at the AQHA world show.
1) I was tempted to become overly focused on this one event and loose sight of the big picture.
2) I was tempted to let the results of the show determine my success.
3) I was tempted to loose hope when circumstances were NOT IDEAL.
I knew in the end, no matter the outcome, I was going to get what I came for…which was learning.
“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”
Horses are excellent at reading emotions. Have you learned the skill of creating an emotion on demand? You’ll learn how to create and emotional state: both positive and negitive. I’ll share an example that you can do in five minutes to experience your control over your emotions. Then I’ll share three situations where you can practice creating a positive emotion.
Henry Ford summed it up well, ‘Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you are right.” In this podcast I explain why this is so true with our horses.
Our thoughts change the way our cues feel to our horses.
I share an example where the only thing I changed was my thoughts…and it drastically changed the outcome.
If you ever have these thoughts: “I should be better than this by now.”
“I’m not good enough.” “I can’t do this.” this episode is for you!
The main point of life coaching is to bring awareness of how our thoughts are impacting our results. Most riders would willingly consider that their body was impacting their horse. In this episode I discuss the stages that riders go through when increasing their awareness both physically and mentally. I also share two warning signs that you might be blocking your awareness.
In this season of the podcast I’m discussing life coaching principals and how they apply to working with your horse. Life coaching addresses ’The Rider’s Mind’ which shows up in all quadrants.
If I expand my intro I say each week in the podcast take a look at how the riders mind is in each phrase, “I’m here to help you read your horses body language, learn how to interpret the information you get without judgement of yourself or your horse, and learn to adjust your behavior to adjust your horses behavior.”
In this podcast, I discuss the difference between ‘finite games’ which involve players, rules and winners and infinite, or never ending games, where the point is to keep playing because the journey is all there is.
I share examples of this in the horse world and in everyday life. Then I close by telling you how I can easily identify which I’m playing…so you can try it too.
ALL riders I’ve talked with experience dissatisfaction…the interesting thing is that some keep going and some do not.
I see people give up…and I see people who overcome.
What is the difference?
I discuss three traits I’ve noticed in riders who consistantly reach their goals. I explain the tipping point that I see and how how you can intentify these patterns in other areas of your life also.
In this episode, I discuss three situations where it is common for horses to ask questions about the rules. I call these moments ‘Grandma’s rules’ which is my fun way of explaining that horses are always seeking out the most benifitial set of rules to opperate by. I explain where the name came from and how understanding this can improve your view the questions your horse is asking you.
Increasing a riders awareness of the feelings or emotions that come up during the learning process is extremely beneficial. For most riders, learning to train their own horse means learning new skills and experiencing the feelings that often accompany that like; vulnerable, nervous, disappointed, frightened, uncertain and awkward.
In this podcast I explain the role of these uncomfortable emotions and how they can lead to other emotions like focused, determined, strong, excited…and confident.
Today I’m talking about patterns…why I recommend riding patterns and why riders often have resistance to riding patterns. I’ll discuss anticipation in multiple forms, increasing your awareness by getting feedback from your horse and how your focus, or lack of focus, is impacting your ride.
I posted two of my favorite training patterns over on my website under the show notes for this episode. They are great examples of patterns that can be useful in improving your communication with your horse.
If you’re in the middle of a work session and things aren’t going the way you hoped do you lose confidence?
How does this impact your time with your horse?
In this episode I propose the idea that we can have different types of confidence. I outline ’self’ confidence vs ‘skill’ confidence and explain why knowing the difference could improve your results with your horse.
In this episode, I explain three ways I see people holding themselves back by accidentally limiting their awareness of their body. Riding horses can be a great physical awareness tool.
I describe what I call ‘body scanning’ and how to use this tool as a way to increase your awareness of your body so you can communicate more clearly with your horse.
In this episode I’m answering a question about lead changes. In the beginning
I’m very methodical about teaching shoulder control with the reins, legs as speed control. THEN hip control with my legs…separate from the shoulder control that is in my reins. I discuss: Bend and counterbend, turn on the forehand, Canter-walk-canter transitions, bouncy canter (collected), counter canter…and more.
Can I slide my leg back and cue the hind end to step without the horse walking off or side passing?
Can I pick up the ‘wrong’ lead on purpose…and why would I want to?
In this episode I’m answering a question about teaching a horse how to hunt slowing down with less or no rein contact. I’ll discuss teaching multiple cues, offering choices through the use of patterns and I’ll give you three different ‘tests’ you can take to evaluate your communication with your horse.
Learn how to identify what lead your horse is on when watching from the ground or when riding. What makes a lead ‘right or wrong’ or correct or incorrect?
What is counter canter? What is cross firing?
If a horse is constantly cross firing…what’s going on? Is this a soundness or a weakness issue?
I answer all these questions and more before then giving tips on how to encourage a horse to elevate and take the correct lead. In next weeks podcast…I continue this discussion on leads!
I recieved an email awhile back that asked a short question. Here is what was written.
“The biggest question I can’t seem to get a clear answer for is “how do I ask for the collection?”
It is such a short…and seemingly simple question. I explain the underlying issue of collection and why the answer isn’t as simple as applying a few aids correctly.
I explain what collection is NOT and how to identify horses that may be struggling with balance. Sometimes the ‘resistance’ that a rider feels is actally a sign that the horse is unbalanced…and needs a physical fitness routine.
Are you naturally a low energy or high energy person?
Is your horse a naturally low energy or high energy horse?
How does this impact you training the horse?
Sometime people solve this issue by buying the ‘opposite’ horse.
High energy person=low energy horse
Low energy person=high energy horse
Some people solve it by buying the matching energy horse.
What if you…and the horse…both learned to be both?
Do you think horses can be taught to be emotionally mature? What would that look like? Can you teach a horse to ‘help you out’? Or do you expect things will always feel ‘manual’ with your horse?
In this episode I share my thoughts on emotional maturity and the three reasons people don’t teach it.
(Spoiler alert: here are the three answers)
The main reasons people don’t do it are:
1) they aren’t aware its an option
2) it is repetitive
3) repetitive is a bit boring
But it is all worth it when you get to say, “Yes!” to your horse and you’re really excited they volunteered!
How often do you practice feeling excited…and patience?
Is it more common for you to be excited…and rush?
In this episode, I use three examples to illustrate how learning to be excited while being patient can dramatically improve your ability to train your horse.
There is MAGIC in getting excited about something that will take a long time to reach. Listen and I’ll explain how!
How can you keep yourself safe and make good choices…when you know you are conscious incompetence? In this episode I explain how to develop self awareness while you are riding. Self awareness is key to be able to recognize the difference between fear vs danger. I also review the stages of competency, and the three teachers you have access to learn from, the importance of taking small steps when learning and identifying habit patterns that might be helpful…or not so helpful.
Can you effectively train your horse on a day when you feel mentally exhausted? Today I answer a listener question about this by discussing B- work, resistance, Physical exhaustion vs mental exhaustion and why I think working on days like this can BENEFIT my horses.
To answer the question of creating a bond of trust I discuss the balancing act of Training & Time.
How much time does it take? What is the flaw of time? (Answer: being boring)
How do you train while honoring the horses questions and understanding the emotional level? Does increasing the physical level of communication impact the emotional understanding?
I know that I develop a deep bond with my horses because I do both time and training. In this episode I explain how.
How is collection the same…or different between the western world of reining vs dressage? How does relaxation fit in? What changes with the head low? What happens with the horse behind vertical? How does a horses build and the movement being ridden influence these things?
In this podcast I answer these questions and discuss what I have learned by riding the same horse in both disciplines.
“My horse has good basics. We can walk, trot and canter. The groundwork is good…what next? When would I start introducing collection?”
This is a discussion of collection including: what is collection? Is collection different in the western world vs dressage? I discuss the building blocks of collection such as shoulder control, transitions, moving hips and more!
The way we think about things created a feeling that shows up in our body and our horses are aware of it. This is why it is so important to take a look at your thinking. One place to start is by separating the facts from the story.
Then look at each phrase of your story and identify the emotion you feel.
“One of our own horses is having a hard time recently”— sad/guilty
“For some reason she wants to spook at everything”— powerless
She just reverts all back and I have to start all over again — inadequate
Tonight was a very hard night— despair
Sometimes when you look at your story from a different perspective you can make new decisions on how you want to proceed. Thoughts will occur but you have the power to decide what to do with them.
“How can I build my horses confidence, help her learn to respect me as her leader…without her being afraid.”
A discussion about fear, discomfort, comfort zones, creating maturity in horses, confusion, clarity, energy…and choice.
In this episode I’m answering two questions that illustrate the dance between the horses body and the horses mind. The goal for us humans is to learn to read the body…to see what the horses is giving us for feedback. The challenge is that as we train our horses we are often working to increase their comfort zone.
How can we tell if the horse has the discomfort of stretching or the discomfort that points towards a problem? I explain this in todays podcast!
“What have you learned by studying Classical Dressage? What things changed? Will you continue to ride Dressage?”
I answer these questions and discuss the similarities and differences, precision, speed, accuracy, transitions, self carriage and more. Some of these things I discovered myself…others my horses reported to me.
The short answer is yes, I’ll be doing both and taking everything I learn out out the trail!
On trail rides there are many situations for scary footing; boggy areas, water crossing, big ditches, hills and more. In those moments do you have a plan that covers the things your horse might do? Are the cues you use interfering or helping the horses balance?
This podcast discusses the rider fears, the reason that horses panic in these footings and solutions for addressing both horse and riders issues.
Today I’m answering two questions. The first is about an injured horse that is hand walking…his owner would like suggestions about maintaining other routines through groundwork.
The other question is about trick training…clicker training, loading the clicker, using the clicker when riding…and what is a trick anyway?
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 bound horses…why does it seem like they just don’t want to listen? Is there a difference between a subtle cue and a clear cue?
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.
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 this ‘wobble’ appears naturally during a horses training or a riders development.
How can I use other aids outside of the reins?
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 includes a miniature horse!
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 side of this conversation is happening in every interaction you have.
Clearly identifying thoughts and feelings can be challenging…and for me I tend to learn it best…backward. Ouch.
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 well in the ring at the walk, trot and canter but will sometimes take off when out fox hunting.
I discuss the overall issue as well as action steps that can be taken.
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 this subject and discuss changing horses first reactions, improving riders muscle memory…and more.
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 riding…does the horse you’re riding or leading threaten?
Your horses have questions…do you have answers
Q&A: How much say do you let your horses have your two way conversation?
What types of things do you allow the horse to say?
I love the idea of listening…but I'm getting a lot of backtalk... maybe I’m being too easy on her?
⭐ How do you build emotional control with a horse who gets frustrated and defensive to your corrections?
This episode contains general thoughts around selling horses and I answer a listener asks a question about a horse who is aging: how to find him the best next place and be sure that he will be well taken care of.
I discuss reasons for selling, including,
Safety- Training mismatch between horse and rider
Enjoyment- energy level mismatch
financial mismatch- can’t afford to keep them, can’t afford to have multiples
And I offer ideas on how to prevent them from slaughter.
A confident, dominant mare who doesn’t really want to connect, a two year old that pins her ears at certain movements, and a horse that wrings its tail when ridden. I’m answering these listener questions and tying them all together with the themes of using curiosity when training, receiving feedback from your horse and how the stages of the relationship change the dynamics.
Here are four ways exercise can improve your riding.
1-To exercise regularly you’ll need to coach yourself
2- Exercise can help you physically become stronger, more flexible and more coordinated.
3-Exercise can help you understand your horses mind…if you’re going to coach him to work…get good at coaching YOU to work. Your goal is to be more understanding and encouraging…not critical and judgement…see point number one again (learn to coach yourself, then coach your horse)
4- Exercise can improve your horses body…because a fit rider has better balance and is easier to carry.
In a perfect world…what would this year look like with your horse?
What would you accomplish?
In January of 2022…what would you like to have achieved?
In this podcast I share with you how I use my calendar and tracking to get so much done.
One of the reasons that I take January goal setting so seriously is because with three horses, show goals, family commitments, and a business to run I see a huge benefit to planning ahead.
If you were forced to choose between having a great relationship with your horse OR getting big results…which would you choose?
Relationship OR results?
Do you think you have to choose…or do you think you can have both?
Today I’m explaining how I get BIG RESULTS…while still keeping the relationship the main thing.
I’ll teach you how to prioritize your thinking so you can have a better relationship & bigger results.
Are you going after big goals with your horses? How do you define 'big goal'? What does that look like for you?
Here are three reasons I often see riders avoid setting big goals:
1) You are afraid of how it will feel to fail
2) You’re afraid of how you might treat your horse while trying to achieve the goal
3) You don’t know how to get there
In this episode I discuss how I see these show up and how you can overcome them!
Which horse first inspired you? The earliest memory I have of being inspired by a real horse was my mom, reading stories to me of Man O War aka Big Red.
Stories like these gave me a glimpse into a world filled with horses. The authors wrote of horses with heart and ‘the look of eagles.’ In this podcast, I share with you some of the stories that inspired me.
How do you separate fear from danger? In this podcast I discuss the importance of recognizing fear and what it could be pointing to. I also explain why it is important for riders to increase their understanding. I’m also celebrating the two year anniversary of the podcast…and discussing the challenge of doing something you’re uncomfortable with.
I almost bought a horse. In this episode, I discuss many of the factors that went into my decision to NOT buy the horse including logic, emotion, daily life, time invested, purchase price, resale, etc.
I know everyone's situation is different but I think that listening to how someone else is making decisions can be helpful.
I use training cycles to make my daily rides more efficient and productive. The same techniques work when I view my week month and year in a similar way. In this episode, I’ll explain the benefits of training cycles…and the importance of a rest cycle or less intense phase in the cycles.
How many times in your life have you made a list of things you want?
I’ve done it in different forms for years.
Maybe it was on a financial list…things I want to buy.
Maybe it was on a goal list…things I want to do.
Maybe it was on a bucket list…things I can only dare to dream…
In this podcast, you'll take a brief quiz...and then discover how to make those things on your list a reality…in 10 minutes!
In this podcast, I’m going to discuss a tough subject, older horses, and the decision to euthanize. This decision is often made in emergency situations or when the quality of life is an issue. In my case, I can also see an impending crisis coming. Separating and understanding the emotions and the facts that surround each situation, and then putting them together to make a decision has been helpful for me. Listen to hear more.
Do you understand how western dressage is judged? In this podcast, I share the results of Presto’s test and explain the scoring system. Each number the judge gives represents a word, for example, 6 represents ‘Satisfactory’. In addition, the judges often give comments and remarks.
At the end of the podcast, I also share how my horses finished in the Western Dressage World Show, with three wins, and one reserve champion!
“It’s all training.” Is this statement useful to you as a rider? I see three ways that this statement can be damaging to individuals and to the industry as a whole. It’s important to realize if the thoughts we have are useful or not useful…because our thoughts will impact our actions…and our results. Are you slowing your progress with your thoughts?
How many things can a horse excel at? In this episode, I discuss riding horses in different disciplines. I talk specifically about which classes I believe overlap well as well as the order that I introduce them to my horses.
My horse Popcorn did these things, in this order: Trail, Reining, Pony Horse, Ranch, Tricks, Mounted Shooting, Summer camp lesson horse & Traditional Dressage!
Listen in to learn more.
How often do you take time to reflect on your journey with your horse?
Here is a quote to guide this podcast, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
I have three distinct times of the year when I reflect and reset in regards to my horses. I’ve developed this rhythm due to seasonal changes, holidays, the horse show calendar, and what I’ve noticed when training horses.
Horses are great teachers. In this episode, I share stories of the horses that have taught me over the years such as focus, loyalty, and trust. I also introduce you to the three horses I am currently training (or that are training me). My hope is that as you hear the lessons these horses have taught me, you will remember some of the lessons that horses have taught you.
A listener calls in with a question about her horse who gets very worked up on trail rides with too many other horses. She describes how the horse seems to connect with another horse, flicks its head up, and walks as fast as possible.
This podcast breaks down four different ways to look at the things that could be happening here. This includes looking at the events the horse and rider frequently practice, techniques that could be used, and ideas for increasing the rider's effectiveness in communication with her horse.
Sometimes horses are trained to operate more like robots-‘don't think, just do what I say’. Other times horses are left to make most of the decisions-which can become dangerous in some situations.
In this podcast I discuss how to find a middle ground where the horse is an active participant in the ‘conversation’ with the ultimate goal of having a horse who is fully aware of their surroundings, is offering feedback, and is listening to your instruction.
Question: How can I reduce my horse's reactivity to noise when trail riding?
The answer involves separating the issue into smaller parts and looking at each individually. By separating the issue it becomes easier to see how you can break the cycle and modify the horse's behavior.
Riding near traffic can be challenging. Your horse must deal with vehicles of varying sizes, traveling at speed, and making loud noises. The road itself often has challenges such as culverts, guard rails, ditches, garbage cans, mailboxes…and dogs. Many drivers don’t know how to respond to horses and assume they will be fine. Others don’t know how to help…and a few even want to cause problems.
It is possible to prepare your horse for all of this if you break it down into smaller steps.
Episode 95-“Is there a way to teach emotional control to a horse? He is super quiet when ridden alone. When ridden in groups I can feel his nerves bundle up and then he broncs.”
In this episode, I discuss the concepts: why naturally quiet horses can be prone to ‘outburst’, four places where this issue can be addressed, how cues systems are as much mental as they are physical, and the saying, “Ride your best horse the hardest.”
Episode 94- A listener asks for some advice on how to reduce her horse's anxiety…and hers…when out on the trails. The discussion includes riding reactively vs planning, analyzing your thought patterns, changing your muscle habits, and the idea that horses notice patterns.
In this episode, I explain the relationship I see between pressure, composure, and building a horse's confidence on the trail. I also answer the question, “How you go about getting your horse to trail ride alone? Every time I try to go out, she freaks out…"
How do horses develop confidence on the trails? Does confidence come from riding with another confident horse? Are some horses just born confident and others will always struggle? Can confidence be trained? I answer this listener question while out riding on the trails.
Episode 91: Take a moment and think about what YOU think might be the biggest problem or most common mistake you see when out trail riding.
Visualize the problem. Here are some common problems that I see as symptoms: Head tossing, rushing up hills, refusing to move forward (maybe mud or water) rushing down hills, dragging riders where they want to go. Pulling on the reins, rearing… and more.
These all have the same common problem: riders using their aids in and either/or method.
Trail riding vs arena riding. They both come with advantages and disadvantages which is why I find a combination of both beneficial. In this podcast I discuss why some horses seem resistant to arena work, letting the horse make decisions on the trail, how to know if you are letting the horse make too many decisions on the trail…and more.
Today, I’m talking with Molly Wagner about getting started as a professional in the horse industry. Together, we are going to tackle two voicemails that came in. Some of the topics we discuss include:
What can I do to gain reputation and experience? The challenge of family and work goals. Gaining confidence, making mistakes, learning on the job, equine careers outside of training…and more!
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!
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 spent, why...and even what was 'well-spent' and what she might regret. Nicole also shares tips on how to keep expenses down with bartering and trading.
Why is change hard? Why do we ‘want’ to change…but find it challenging? Today Ginny Telego explains a model for change that involves recognizing several necessary steps: Awareness, Desire to change, How to change, Ability, Reinforcement.
We discuss the resistance to change, the desire to quit and the topic of being bucked off and spooking horses!
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 magic." and another quote, "I was now a very adult rider with some unfamiliar fears..." We discuss the challenges of changing bodies, letting go of past expectations, embracing the here and now...and much more.
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 clickers and hand feeding. She also shares a free video series and downloadable PDF on the subject!
Is it possible to get started in reining and fully train your own horse from start to show?
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 Jesse has helped many people get started in reining and he specializes in helping people who want to train their own horse. Listen as we discuss the process.
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 more. Listen to the podcast to hear here advice.
Episode 81: 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 consider regarding the horse you will be riding as well as the horse you will be leading or ponying.
It also discusses controlling your environment and situations you should prepare for such as narrow trails, barking dogs, etc
Episode 80: Today, I'm answering two questions, 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 some disciplines and their cue systems.
Episode 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 would like to go back and improve his groundwork but I'm not sure if lunging is the best thing right now while he is still recovering. Are there other things I can do that don't involve lunging?
Episode 78: A listener called in a question about training her first two-year-old. She is struggling to find the balance between quality vs quantity and also a concern of causing boredom during the training process. Stacy explains her views on finding a balance between quality and quantity beginning with the idea that quality always matters and quantity is often part of 'seasoning' a horse.
Stacy also explains her view that boredom is GOOD for horses...but that the caller may be confusing signs of frustration or confusion with boredom.
Episode 77: How does planning help set your horse up for success? How do the layers of training build into a more refined cue system? These topics and more come up as I answer the two following questions.
Question 1: I loved the pattern you shared on Episode 70, Riding Circles within Circles. I felt a huge difference in my horses and myself within 10 minutes...Are there any other patterns you can share with us and what you would use them to accomplish? Second, with a high school level horse, do you still ride these patterns? And if so, how much of your ride time is spent on patterns or versus concentrating training vs. trail riding?
Question 2: I'd like to know more about the hug cue. My horse has improved but is smart and is anticipating. He is slowing down too much... I'm wondering if I could use it as also to go forward a bit faster.
Episode 76: Today I’m answering three questions that I think are all related. One is about a horse that pops his head up when he steps on the lead rope, another is about ground tying and the final one is about tying with patience.
When a horse steps on the lead rope while grazing, some will step off the rope without missing a bite...while others will pop their heads up almost as if they are surprised. During this segment, I discuss the 'truth' that both horses are experiencing and I outline how to show the horse the more quiet answer.
The next question is about teaching a horse to ground tie and I share five steps for teaching a horse to understand this.
Finally, I discuss teaching a horse to stand quietly. We discuss the nuances of recognizing subtle changes in a horse while it is tied and solutions for reducing pawing.
Episode 75: Q&A: Ranch riding, ranch trail…the horror!
How to better prepare for the transition from home to show.
Preparing a horse for rider nerves.
Practice the pattern or don’t practice the pattern?
The battle with anticipation.
Q&A: While I was riding through a gate on horseback, my horse reached over with his nose and TOUCHED the electric fence.
Now I have issues opening the gate…HELP!
Episode 74: Have you ever had a reason that stopped you from riding? Maybe you were injured? Maybe your horse was injured?
I find that when I look back there have been many reasons that I have missed time or gone 'off schedule' for a number of unplanned reasons. For some of us, this is happening now with the pandemic. When 'big' things happen in my life I try to see how they might remind me of smaller events that I have successfully navigated.
In this podcast, I give several ideas on how to handle * boarding and not being able to visit your horse
* stress over missed riding
* how do horses retain their training during time missed
* how can riders stay positive in times like these
Ep 73: Listen as a caller describes how she changed her lunging experience in a matter of days. Stacy outlines the steps that made this 'leap' in learning possible. Hazel calls in and asks how to get her school horse to respect her space more. Stacy gives her three different suggestions. Amy has questions about how to get her ranch horse to 'wait' a bit more during the trail obstacle phase. Stacy explains how she teaches this type of 'wait' using three different examples: lunging, riding a nervous horse and when teaching the sliding stop. Stacy's goal is to empower the rider through education.
Ep 72: Question: You referenced lunging in your podcast and videos. I was hoping you could talk more about it. Perhaps elaborate on how you go about it and what you're looking for and feeling for from the horse?
Answer includes: Why lunge at all? * Where it comes in useful. * How to use it to teach rhythm. * Why lunging has a bad reputation. * Why people struggle to learn to lunge (or avoid it). * How the line should feel in your hand…and more.
Ep 71: How are you doing? Before you answer that question, I'd like you to pretend that you are a horse. What's the first image that comes to mind? An Arabian? A racehorse? An overworked driving horse?
During this podcast, I share with you my idea that maybe it is helpful if we view our situations from a slightly different angle.
It is also interesting to sometimes use the horse training techniques on OURSELVES.
Are you rocking the teeter-totter?
Are you working the emotional AND physical cycles?
Where are you getting your release from pressure?
What other lessons could you bring to your life that you see with horses?
Episode 70: Question: After warming up and we're beginning to work, I have a really hard time keeping his gait consistent, usually start out slow and easy. But as we continue on, he has a tendency to increase his speed and will tense up and occasionally throw his head. Whenever I ask for a change of gait, especially downward transitions in, it most often happens during the lope. It also happens when I'm lunging him prior to riding, and I would like to know your opinion on how my contributing to his craziness and inconsistent gait and how can I do better at helping him relax and slow down?
A: Stacy explains that there are many things to consider including: lack of balance between riders hands and legs, riders 'correction' causing more problems, riders concept of how 'light' a horse 'should' be, rider not planning ahead, horse 'trying too hard'.
Episode 69: Question: “I was wondering how you keep your motivation for riding your own horses when you are training other people's horses. I feel like I have to have a lot of motivation for everyone else's horses to keep them going and keep them working towards their goals. But I have a lot of trouble working my horses.” Answer: There are many ways too look at this. Here are a few to consider. Look for similarities or contrasts between your goals with your horse vs your customers horses. 1. Do you plan to show in the same discipline with your horse? 2. Do you plan to keep this horse forever or sell? 3. Do you feel judged by ‘others’ if you work your horse before customers horses?
This podcast goes deeper into this subject.
Episode 68: How to teach your horse to spook, in three easy steps!
1) start with a horse with lack of experience or holes in the training
2) try not rock the boat…
3) when the horse has doubts, reduce the pressure or request
Thanks for humoring me there.
Sometimes when I’m thinking about a subject…I try to consider all angles and this time, I decide that telling this story backward would be interesting. I really do go through the steps of how to teach a horse to spook...but I then follow it up with how NOT to teach your horse to spook.
I hope you find this episode structure slightly entertaining, possibly revealing…and somewhat interesting!
Episode 67: Can training horses to do tricks like rearing, bowing or lying down cause problems? I answer this question by using examples of six different horses to illustrate my answer...which is sometimes yes and sometimes no.
I also explain how I decide which horses are better candidates than others...and how timing does matter.
I discuss a comment left on the show notes of the last podcast and expand a bit more on the idea of dismounting as a way to avoid problems.
In keeping with the seasons theme, 'What's going on in my barn.' I also take you behind the scenes and fill you in on the training progress with Willow, Gabby and Presto.
Episode 66: Today I answer two listener questions.
Question #1- "My question for you is how you can tell when your horse is ready to go on its first trail ride. What kind of skills do you like to have in the arena? And then what do you practice on the first trail? Right. How do you know when to call it quits and what are your goals on your first time going out?"
Question #2- "My question is about balancing training your horse, being a mom and also being pregnant. I'm on my second pregnancy now and I'm just going to get it extremely hard to work with my horse regularly. My last pregnancy, when I got too big to ride, I did groundwork but I feel like they got really bored. I'm just wondering if you have any more ideas or what you did to make it more interesting for them and what you did."
Episode 65: What is a tipping point in horse training? Why does it matter? How would it help with spooking? In today's episode, I discuss the idea of tipping points and how they impact my outlook on training. I see smaller tipping points where the small day after day lessons finally result in a bigger change. I also see larger tipping points, where clusters of training ideas come together to form even larger tipping points...which is when training gets really fun.
I also discuss Resistance (a reference to Stephen Pressfield's book) and my new course, The Complete Guide to Improving Steering and Teaching Neck Reining.
Episode 64: The Complete Guide to Improving Steering and Teaching Neck Reining is here! My newest teaching course releases today and I’m really excited about the content. It’s my best teaching yet. I explain the stages of training that horses go through and the techniques and patterns that I use. To save you time, I’ve edited the information into short videos, printable PDF’s and even audios, similar to this podcast, that you can ride and listen to. I’ve made it easy to navigate so you can find exactly what you want to study. Later in the podcast, I discuss the idea of ‘once in a lifetime’ horses. I’ve had three so far…at least in the public view. What does that mean? And finally, I update you on my horses. I discuss getting started again after a break, Where I feel the ‘loss’ the most and the concept of finding the ‘holes’ in a horse's training.
Episode 63: In this episode, I make a confession about how much (or not much) I have been working my horses, I discuss self-awareness and I answer 12 horse training/career questions for a young lady who wrote in.
Horse Training Interview Questions 1. What inspired you to be involved in this career? 2. Describe one of the challenges in your career? 3. What is the most rewarding part of your job? 4. Why did you choose to go to the University of Findlay to pursue this career path? 5. What qualities do you think a person in this career should possess? 6. What were some of the things you encountered in this job that you didn’t expect? 7. Does your job carry over to your personal life? Explain 8. Does this job suit your personality? Explain 9. If you could change one thing about your job what would you change? 10. Did you have a role-model that led you to where you are now, if so who and why? 11. How would you advise someone entering the field to get started? 12. Are there any pitfalls that someone new to the career should avoid?
Episode 62: This week's podcast continues explaining the levels of training that horses go through. I describe the middle part of horse training as boring…
Picture a bell curve. The beginning of the curve is the beginning of the horse's training. I call it elementary school and quite a few exciting things happen there; haltering, saddling, bridling & riding.
Then we get to the middle of the bell curve. Where the changes are subtle and the hours are long. The long, repetitive middle. Like Wednesday, everyday…if you don’t see the details.
I explain elementary school, high school and college using Presto, Willow, and Gabby as illustrations.
I explain what is really going on there in the middle and how it leads to the beautiful things we want at the end.
Episode 61: I explain the stages of horse training as I see them. I use the levels of elementary school, high school and college as levels of horse training. I explain what I’m looking for in those stages…and the idea that just riding a horse for more hours does not necessarily mean they keep moving up through the levels.
In this episode, I go into detail with Presto who is in elementary school. I also explain why I don’t feel safe until a horse in elementary school spooks…and recovers.
During this season, I will be sharing more behind the scenes with Presto, Willow and Gabby so you can better understand the methods I’ve been teaching you.
Episode 60: Stacy shares what is going on in her barn with her horses. She shares how she is using the techniques and ideas that she has been teaching in the podcast...in her own barn.
Stacy starts by answering a listener's question about motivation:
"Hi, Stacy. My name is Andrea. And my question is, how do you just get motivated? To get out there with your horse when you feel like you're all alone and you just really don't have that encouragement. From others. I don't really know a lot of horsey people. How do you just get motivated just to get out there and be with your horse? Do your ground training refresher course and just get on the back of your horse? How do you just get motivated just to do that?"
Stacy shares five actionable tips for staying motivated.
Episode 59: Stacy and Ginny discuss the power of using curiosity to overcome challenges.
Stacy tells about here experience with a 'bad' riding lesson.
Ginny discusses getting bucked off a horse she trusted and having to decide if she should sell the horse.
Stacy & Ginny discuss the power of the rider's mind to make different choices and how that can impact our riding, relationship and enjoyment of our horses.
Episode 58: Welcome to the Christmas edition of the podcast, because this episode releases on Christmas Day this year, I thought I would share one of my favorite Christmas memories with you.
Or maybe it's a lesson you get to decide.
What you're hearing in the background is a clue to my favorite memory.
Are you ready?
My favorite memory is actually feeding the horses on Christmas Day. It's probably not what you're expected, right?
The horses get fed twice a day, every day, year-round around here. So why would feeding on Christmas Day rank so high? When I listen to people talk about the routine of feeding horses at their houses every day, it often falls into one of two extremes. They either say something like the best part of having horses at home is…
or sometimes you hear people say the worst part of having horses at home is….
And both opinions are valid. There isn't really a right or wrong.
And I'll admit that I have felt the wear and tear of the everydayness of feeding and cleaning. And I admit that sometimes that makes it feel like a chore. And maybe that's why feeding on Christmas Day feels different. Maybe it's because that feeling of celebration is in the air.
Or maybe it's because the time leading up to Christmas is anything but routine. And so the routine of feeding is welcome.
Maybe it's the quietness and the barn that morning or the horses smell.
Or the horsey sounds.
I'm sure of one thing, though. What I'm sure of is that my mom influenced me in this area.
When I was growing up, my family didn't have a lot of money, owning horses was a struggle at times, so it was very easy to remember not to take them for granted. And while I was growing up on Christmas Day for as long as I can remember, our routine was to get up. My brother and I would be so excited. That could be pretty early. And the first thing we would do was open our stockings and then we would all stop and go feed the horses. I remember as a child begging to open presents before we fed. And I remember my mom explaining and never getting angry that the horses were in our care and that they depended on us and that we had made this commitment to them. And we would put on so many layers of clothing and we would trek through the snow,
(remember, I grew up in Maine) and we would feed the horses. And looking back, this also gave Christmas morning feeding a special feeling, the anticipation of the presents that were about to be open, hung in the air. And you might think that this made me rush through the feeding, but the horses were always so funny because we would bring them special treats. So instead of Christmas feeding being a speed event, something to rush through to get back to the presents, it began with giving presents to the horses, carrots, apples and other treats and always extra hay.
And maybe it's my memory or the weather or maybe they picked up on our energy level, but they always seemed extra perky on those cold mornings. And when I became a mother, we continued the tradition. Whatever time the kids got us up on Christmas morning, we would open the stockings first and then we would head to the barn to feed.
And then it was my turn to explain that the horses dependent on us. And it was my turn to hope that the boys could see the simple joy. And to hope that they would enjoy the anticipation instead of resenting the interference. But in the end, I knew that is each individual person's choice, whether they view it...s the joy or the interference.
Is the everydayness of horses. The best thing or the worst thing? I guess it's all in how you look at it.
Merry Christmas.
Episode 57: Stacy explains that she has been pondering the answer she gave to a listener last week and she has more to add this week. She discusses the role of faith in horse training as well as mistakes she sees people make when they use the word 'faith' as applied to their horse.
Stacy also discusses how 'good-natured' horses can still hurt people and why this happens.
Episode 56: I answer listener questions and receive some feedback from Ron.
I answered a question for Ron in a previous episode and he calls in to let me know that he has tried the methods and they are working well.
Question 1: Hi, my name is Virginia. I'm calling from Westchester County, New York. Thank you so much for your podcast and learning so much. I recently rescued a gelding they think is between 15 and 18 years old. We think he has a new century. We don't know too much about his history, though. He came to the new barn underweight and I've been feeding a lot, but he's been very pushy on the ground and in the arena. He trots and canters off before I cue him. It goes to the gate and stops as if he's saying, I'm done. I want to just go back to my and eat, because when I do lead him to his stall, he pushes right through me. So any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
Question 2: Hi, Stacy. Thank you so much for your wonderful podcast. My question for you is what prevents a well-trained horse from kicking out or striking out at its handler? I am kind of new to the horse running and have quite a fear of being around the hindquarters or the front end and within striking distance. And I'm looking for a good answer that's going to kind of give me peace. I for example, let's say I'm behind the horse, washing his tail, washing his lower legs or even on the side putting on his saddle. What prevents him from kicking out is there's one small thing that frustrates him. Let's say he doesn't like it when you wash his tail or he doesn't like it when you squeeze his lower leg when you're trying to get the water off.So what makes him say, you know what, I'm just going to handle this?
So what prevents him from kicking me or striking out at me even as he respects me, even if I don't know even if what, but just what prevents him from striking out and kicking out if I do something he doesn't like? Is it just that there's a line of respect and he knows not to cross that?
Episode 55: I'm answering a listener question about martingales, training forks, draw reins and the like. Let's listen to the question.
Some people would consider these things to be training aids and other people would consider them to be gimmicks. Let's have a conversation and see if we can come up with a few different ways to view them. And then at the end of the podcast, you get to decide what you believe.
Episode 54: I'm discussing several items saddle pads, cinches or girths, billets and breast collars.
I'll explain what I use and why as well as recommendations.
If you want to see everything I'm using, watch any of the most recent videos I've been putting out on YouTube. You'll find those videos as well as photos on StacyWestfall.com. I
also started something called Stacy's Stuff, which is a series of pages on my site that shows the items I'm currently using in my barn with full-page write-ups about what I'm using and why.
In today's podcast, the focus is on saddles.
I'm going to open with my thoughts on saddles and then answer three listener questions. And finally, I'm going to talk with somebody who has over 500 saddles on hand.
There are several things that make saddle fit a challenge, and I think the number one is that we're trying to satisfy the needs of two individuals, the horse and the rider. I'd like to start this podcast with an interactive visual.
For complete episode notes, please visit www.stacywestfall.com
Today's podcast I'm focused on the bridle, which includes the head stall, bit chinstrap and reins. First, I'm gonna give you five things to consider. Then I'm going to answer a listener question that was e-mailed in to me. And finally, I'm going to take you on a virtual walk through a tack store with a friend of mine where we will discuss all the options you will have when you walk into a tack store. I'm reminded again that this can be a really complicated subject.
I'll break it down here and I'm going to make some videos that will help you to those will be posted on my YouTube channel and on my website.
In this season, I'm going to explain some of the choices in tack and equipment available. I'll also share what I'm using and why. Today's focus is some of the items used when leading the horse. Things like halters, lead ropes, and lunge lines. I'm also going to introduce you to a friend of mine who owns a tack store. I'm also going to close out the episode with a sad story. I'll also give you the biggest training tip that matches this discussion. Equipment is such a huge topic that it's even a challenge to break it down.
If I don’t talk about something you’ve been wondering about, please leave me a voice message or send me an email. This a no judgement zone. I know you can feel a little lost sometimes when it comes to tack. There are also new items and new things to learn all the time. That’s why it’s so great to have a friend who owns a tack store. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Trish Campese owner of The Stagecoach West. Stagecoach West is a family store started by Trish’s Dad. Next year, the store will be 40 years old.
Show Notes:
[02:45] There are many different halter options. At Stagecoach West, they would ask you different questions about your horse. Pictures are helpful too. Then they would try to help you with sizing. They would also get information like if the horse is stalled or turned out or both. Then on to the materials.
[03:41] Current halter trends include bright colors and breakaway nylon.
[04:52] They have almost every color imaginable of lead ropes. Polypropylene is the number one material. There are stamps, chains, and even bamboo.
[08:59] Pictures are helpful when determining the right halter.
[10:04] In my barn, the first thing I'm going to touch is some version of a halter and lead rope. I have a quick catch halter, rope halters, nylon halters, and leather halters.
[10:36] I use the leather halter the least.
[11:45] I use the nylon halters more often. Both are a wider flat fit. Nylon can be soft and comes in different colors.
[14:40] I use the rope and quick catch the most. The only adjustment on the rope halter is the crown piece.
[15:46] Flat halters distribute pressure over a wider area.
[16:31] The rope halter has a more narrow pressure point. It's a go to for function and feel.
[17:51] I use the quick catch halter a lot too. It's good for leading horses from one place to another.
[20:45] I would use the flat nylon or flat leather for hauling horses.
[22:28] I like the poly lead rope, because it doesn't pick up sawdust or dirt when I drop it.
[23:22] When it's time to work the horse I use one of the training ropes. The big difference is that these ropes have a core and don't tangle easily.
[27:34] You need a quality stick and string that has enough weight to make noise and be easily controlled. Get the one with the nice heavy core.
[30:43] You have to practice with your tools to get good at using them and working with your horse.
[31:29] Use the tools that a lot of trainers use. Once you know how to use them, they have a better feel and will benefit you.
[33:50] In training, it's about clarity. When your horse has a lot of training the halter doesn't make much of a difference.
[35:47] Stacy shares a story where they used loose tie rings at a facility that actually taught the horses to pull.
[37:45] I'm not a fan of flat web lunge lines.
[38:06] Stacy shares a story about a woman who was lunging a horse with a flat web lunge line, and the horse bolted and her fingers were tangled, and she was dragged by the horse and smashed into the rails of the arena. She lost her four fingers and was permanently in a wheelchair.
[40:39] If you have a piece of equipment that's tying itself in knots, it's a warning that this material is more likely to cause injury.
[41:04] It's important to know how to use your equipment, but it's also important to train your horse to understand how to respond under pressure.
Links and Resources:
WestfallHorsemanship@gmail.com
The Stagecoach West Use the code Stacy for 15% off your entire order excluding saddles.
The Stagecoach West on Facebook
The Stagecoach West on Twitter
Quick Catch Halter
Flat Web Lunge Lines
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
I am live today with Ginny Telego recording from the Loko Bean in Loudonville, Ohio. Today is a milestone, because this is episode 50, so I thought I'd do something different and share our special conversation with you. We are both very busy, so we kick off the show talking about something everyone struggles with. Work life balance. In fact, I don’t even see balance as something that’s possible. Life has seasons. We may have balance for a moment, but it’s more about adapting and moving from one season to the next.
We talk about what balance really is and if it’s even possible to find. We talk about how it applies to horse training, writing in nice journals, and if it’s possible to balance life, work, family, and business. We also talk about what you do when life throws you off balance like recently when Ginny’s house burnt down. We talk about adapting, grieving, and fear of failure. We really just take you on a conversation with two busy horse professionals who are trying to live their best lives.
I tackle four different listener questions today. If you would like to ask a question or have a topic you would like me to expand on please hit the orange tab on the side and leave a voicemail. You just might end up in one of my future podcasts. Fun facts about today’s listener questions include two come from France, two of the listeners have the same name, and one is 12 years old. The first thing I talk about is whether it’s possible to delete a bad habit. I talk about how layers of training apply, understanding the horses nature, and how important it is to understand why a horse is doing something.
Then we move on to a question about whether it’s a good idea to keep a needy fearful mare. I share the questions that this listener really needs to ask herself to find the answer that suits her lifestyle. Then we move on to hobble training. I talk about the pros, cons, safety, and alternatives. The last question is from a young listener who just wants tips and advice on riding bareback. I share my childhood experience and then my more advanced experience with riding Can Can Lena. This episode closes out this season, and I’ll be talking about tools on the next episode.
Show Notes:
[00:43] Sophie from France is trying to help a friend who has no control of her horse and falls off of the saddle regularly. She wants to know if it's possible to delete a bad habit that's in the horses mind.
[01:41] Adding layers to the horse's training applies here, but there are also a couple of other angles.
[01:52] What is in the horses nature? Not all horses tend to lean towards a certain behavior. A horse that bucks in the pasture would have more of a natural tendency to buck.
[03:03] The example I like to use often is a horse that will rear when you see it playing is a little easier to get that horse to rear when you're doing groundwork and liberty work because it kind of already has a habit of liking to do that.
[03:40] Does a horse buck because it's in his nature or is it because he's scared?
[03:51] A lot of horses will exhibit undesirable behavior because of fear. If a horse doesn't understand something, it may use an undesirable behavior as an escape route.
[04:31] If a horse is doing something out of fear, that leaves you more room for correcting it or adding layers on top of it.
[05:10] Living a life without fear is so much more enjoyable for the horse.
[05:32] You can also ask if this is Grandma's rules, but this typically means that the horse will behave one way with one person and in a different way with another person.
[09:11] The way you label the behavior will change how you behave with the horse.
[10:03] Recognize who the horse is at their core. Their core doesn't change.
[10:41] You might be able to train this horse and never see it again. It really comes down to the root cause.
[10:50] A listener adopted a very needy mare who is fearful and buddy sour. Her emotions are so high, the listener can't get the horse to respond to her. The listener is afraid the horses ground behavior will translate to the saddle, and she wants to trail ride the horse.
[11:42] Will the horse get over this with training? Should she send it back?
[12:16] This really comes down to the listener's personal situation. You need to get clear about what you want and if this horse fits with what you want.
[13:28] Does this look like a fun project for you?
[14:39] Are you interested in finding out why this horse thinks this way? Do you want to solve the puzzle of this horse who has high emotions?
[15:13] There are a lot of variables how things could turn out with this horse. Write down the way things could play out and see if most are negative or positive.
[17:07] There is a piece of the horse telling you about her nature. There's a lot we can do to modify their nature especially if the horse is lacking training.
[17:23] If your not excited about being the person who puts in hundreds of hours without knowing if it will work or not, then you won't have fun doing it.
[18:01] Think in the zone of the rider's mind and don't let there be any shame if it's not for you.
[19:25] Everything can improve with training. You need to decide how high a priority trail riding is.
[20:45] Clair from France has a question regarding hobble training. She's getting a new colt this fall and wants to hobble train him along with her 5 year old.
[21:24] Hobbling can be a good skill or a train wreck.
[22:02] Horses fight with hobbles, because they are scary.
[22:33] You can teach horses to lead from each leg. Teach a horse to give to pressure, then when you go to hobble training it's already done for you.
[24:17] If a horse gets tangled up in something, they will give to that pressure instead of fighting against it.
[26:07] Hobble trained horses don't struggle if they get tangled in something.
[26:50] It can also be a disaster if not prepared correctly.
[31:51] Ground tying a horse a teaching them the mental aspect of staying put is another option.
[32:06] Make sure the horse understands giving pressure to each leg.
[32:41] Consider why you want to do it and the nature of the horse. Make it a great experience.
[33:06] We have another question from a 12-year-old Claire in Texas. She rides bareback a lot and wants tips on balancing and bareback in general.
[33:26] I grew up riding bareback. I have slid down the horses neck and landed in front of her face when the horse has stopped to eat grass.
[34:22] In 2004, I started riding Can Can Lina bareback. She went back to start small in a short amount of time and build up.
[35:03] I would ride like normal and then cool her down by pulling the saddle off and riding bareback.
[36:47] Riding bareback feels different for the horse, and they might ask questions.
Links and Resources:
Episode 31: Listener Question: Untraining a Horse or Adding Layers?
Stacy Westfall 2003 NRHA Futurity Freestyle Bridleless Reining
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
One of the things I do on this podcast is answer listener questions. If you have a question you would like to ask or have a topic you would like to hear more about, go to my website and click on the orange tab to the right to leave a voice message. My first question is from a listener who wants to know if there are different techniques that the professionals in the western world use when showing their horses that people at home may not know about.
I answer this question by using an example of three different trainers, and I share how the horse world is a lot like life, and we see different trainers doing different things. I share why it’s really important to understand who you want to be and where you draw the line. I put educating the horse above winning the show. I also answer another listener question about horses having multiple riders.
This one is a two-part question and revolves around whether it’s good for a horse to have multiple riders and how to make sure the riders aren’t doing any damage to the horse. This is a great question, and the answer revolves around the horses level of confidence, grandma's rules, and their level of training such as elementary school, high school or college. I recently returned from a show with Gabby and Willow, and I’ve been in a reflective mood, so these questions are timed perfectly.
Show Notes:
[01:06] The first question is from Jamie. She is wondering if there are different techniques that the Professionals in the western world use when showing their horses that people at home may not know about.
[03:12] I just returned from the Western Dressage Show with Gabby and Willow, and I'm still reflecting and processing on everything that I did leading up to the show.
[03:49] People have different training theories. So I'm going to give examples as if there are three different trainers.
[04:11] Trainer one is willing to do anything to win. This isn't the majority of the show world, but it's out there. Trailer number two wants the best for the horse and the best for the customer. They work really hard to communicate and bring out the best in the horse and the rider.
[05:01] Trainer number three has been training for decades. They might be a little bit burned out.
[05:47] You are going to see different trainers doing different things, and that's just a part of life.
[06:22] You have to pick which trainer you want to be. I would never be that trainer who does anything to win or does anything unethical.
[07:39] I've used ear plugs with my horses during mounted shooting because of the physical damage that could be done to their hearing. I also used your plugs on myself, because I was shooting blanks out of my guns.
[08:44] Some trainers could use earplugs when there's loud clapping for a mental advantage, but taking the long way around would be a better approach.
[09:52] At home, you're going to have to weigh out what you believe in and what you're going to stand for and do.
[14:58] There are also rules for different shows about things like earplugs.
[17:14] The horse industry is a reflection of life whether you are training or showing.
[17:53] You'll see a lot of trainers doing a lot of different things to get a lot of different results. Break those into categories and see if it fits with what you would want to do with your horse.
[18:07] The next listener has a two-part question about multiple people riding a single horse. Is it good for a horse to have multiple Riders? How do you make sure novice riders aren't doing any damage to the horse?
[19:21] It's good for riders to ride different horses to gain experience.
[19:31] There are multiple layers to the question of whether it's good for a horse to have multiple riders.
[19:49] When a horse is in elementary school, I would like to see a lot of consistency with who rides the horse. The horse is impressionable at this stage.
[20:21] When the horse is in high school and college level, they are able to switch gears faster. Now it tends to be less confusing for the horse.
[21:02] Advanced horses don't experiment with Grandma's rules, because when they were trained all the rules were the same.
[22:25] One of my biggest training philosophies is to prevent problems as long as possible.
[23:37] It really matters who gets on your horse.
[25:03] I keep my horses protected in shelter during the elementary school years, and then open up a little more during the high school years. By college I get them really comfortable with different riders.
[27:52] If it scares the horse, it falls into the category of damage being done and shaken confidence.
Links and Resources:
The trail to the World Show Episode 1: Meet the Horses & Goal Setting
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 1-First Day-Part 1-Evaluating Jac
Stacy's Video Diary Jac-Episode 34-How a horse responds to a new rider
Episode 47: Locking and Unlocking Traits in Your Horse
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
I know your horse is smart. Do you know that your horse is smart? I hope you do, because today I'm sharing something that will be incredibly useful to you if you think your horse is smart. If you're not sure if your horse is smart, you can always go back and listen to episode 22 where I explain my views of going beyond prey versus predator.
In this episode, I’ll explain how to lock and unlock certain traits in your horse. Remember how the old school combination locks were difficult at first and then became easier over time? This concept is very similar, and you can use it to make a hot horse slow down or a lazy horse speed up or allow your horse to think at a higher level.
Show Notes:
[02:00] Remember the old fashioned combination locks? Remember how they were hard to use at first, but then after a while, it was second nature. That is similar to the college-level concept that I will be presenting today.
[02:26] Early training will lead up to advanced training. It's hard for me to answer the question of when I started writing bridleless because all of my prior training led up to that point.
[02:55] There are ways to make certain behaviors easier to access and ways to make certain behaviors harder to access.
[05:21] By making one thing really hard to unlock and another thing really easy to unlock, it effectively is childproofing the horse.
[08:23] Think about things that you want to make easier to access and things that you want to make harder to access with your horse. Make the safe things easy.
[08:52] With a cold horse, you might want to make the gas easier and the brakes less prominent. You might want to consider not treating all the cues exactly the same.
[10:36] Build your cue system and reverse what you want the horse to naturally do.
[11:03] A lazy horse might get three different go cues that are the only thing required.
[12:01] A hot horse might have to wait for all of those cues to be applied at the same time.
[13:51] A lot of horses appreciate moving to a higher level of thinking.
[14:07] Horses learn how to learn. That's why it's very important how you train them when they're young. Intimidation will shut the horses desire to learn off.
[16:01] As the horse gets into college, he gets more freedom to discuss things, but it still needs to be done respectfully.
[17:37] Sometimes people are afraid to make the horse respectful, because they don't want to intimidate them.
[19:41] If a horse hasn't been trained through intimidation, it's still capable of making decisions and asking questions.
[20:30] Newt was super educated, but he also liked doing simple things. He used grandma's rules to his advantage.
[21:33] A high level trained horse is not impossible for other people to ride.
Links and Resources:
Equithrive Use the code STACY for 10% off and Free Shipping
Episode 22: Beyond Prey vs Predator: You’re Underestimating Your Horse
Episode 27: Horses Can ‘Learn how to Learn’
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 1-First Day-Part 1-Evaluating Jac
Starbucks Pony Espresso: Riding My Horse Thru the Drive Thru
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
I received a listener question about how to bring up a horse's energy level. If you have a question you would like answered hit the tab on the right side and leave a voice message. This listener has a thoroughbred who is very obedient but lacks exuberance. She wants to up the energy but doesn't want to punish the horse.
I’m going to answer this question by sharing five tips that will bring up the horses energy and go into detail on each one. The five tips are: Be confident that you actually want an enthusiastic horse. Be more expressive with your body. Create patterns of anticipation. Exaggerate the upward transitions, and work shorter but more intense sessions.
Show Notes:
[02:18] Be confident that you want a more enthusiastic horse. Be aware that when you bring the enthusiasm level up that other things can come out.
[04:03] When horses bring up the enthusiasm, especially horses that can be really athletic, you can feel the collection of energy that happens right before they buck.
[05:43] Sometimes I'm rewarding a horse for being a little more sluggish, but I'm aware that I'm doing that because I want to build an immediate foundation. Rider's mind quadrant.
[06:04] Rider's body quadrant. Be more expressive with your body. Watch that you're isn't super tight and precise. A lot of times when people describe using a whip or stick to bring up energy, they will be very rigid and tight with their body.
[08:04] We want the horse to be connected with us, but make some video and see what you are expressing with your body.
[08:57] Create patterns of anticipation. I'm going to call this a pattern of positive anticipation.
[10:44] I use the diagonal across the arena to do a lengthening. If you become consistent with the pattern of anticipation, you will see the horse start to speed up there.
[13:14] You have to really understand what you're doing when you start amping up the speed.
[14:30] Exaggerate the upward transitions. The better you get your upward transitions, such as walk to lope or walk to trot, you have to make sure that you exaggerate the release on the upward. Also take some extra time on the downward.
[15:28] Make the horse feel like the upward is something they get a reward for and make the downward less appealing.
[16:37] Work shorter more intense sessions.
[16:51] Let's say every day you get on your horse and run up the road and then walk it back home. This is an exaggerated version. Think how you can add some of this to your current work plan.
[17:39] Sometimes people are very diligent about following the clock. If you have a long ride and your horse is slow at the end and then gets rewarded by the ride ending, the solution would be a shorter ride where he would be exuberant the whole time.
[19:14] Reward the exuberance by trying a shorter ride like 15 minutes, so they can give you a little bit more.
[20:52] Short work cycles can work really well when you need a break, but long work cycles are needed to build up strength.
[21:27] The quickest way to get away from using the stick is to be consistent with your follow-through and use positive anticipation.
Links and Resources:
Equithrive Use the code STACY for 10% off and Free Shipping
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
It’s important to be able to stop safely when riding. Having your horse understand different cues for stop can make riding more safe and make the rider more confident. In this episode, I explain the three cues I use for stopping my horse and the magic that it creates when the horse understands all three.
The first point that I make applies to many other things that you will do with your horse. I have three cues to stop my horse, and I teach all three cues to be 100% strong. The three cues I use when stopping my horse are reins, legs, and voice. You've probably seen some of these being used and maybe even all three being used at the same time.
It would be very common to see someone pull on the reins say whoa and open or release their legs. If you've been riding for years and doing a combination of these things at the same time, it's really difficult to break the habit and do it individually. It's very helpful if your horse will stop 100% of the time off of each one of the cues.
This is how I was able to train my horses to ride bridleless. I still had stopping power without the reins. If you're used to using all three cues at the same time, your horse might only make 1/3 of a stop on each cue. By teaching my horse to be 100% strong on each cue, I will have 300% stopping power.
Show Notes:
[04:29] When I first start with the horses I teach stopping with the reins. Reins are so helpful when working on connection and collection and all of the advanced things.
[06:27] I teach the horse to stop from rein pressure when ground driving. There's a lot you can teach in ground driving.
[11:40] Improving the backup is directly tied to improving the stop.
[12:10] Now you can teach the horse to step back with leg pressure.
[14:04] Have the slack gently taken out of the reins. Swing your legs forward so the ball of your foot almost taps on the horses shoulders. Keep waving until the step back happens.
[17:16] If the horse is showing no awareness of your movement, then you can add a little more pressure until the horse shows recognition.
[17:55] The really important thing is to give the horse time to think. What you don't need to do is throw the horse into the wrong answer.
[22:36] It's so rewarding to watch a rider stay consistent until the horse figures it out.
[22:55] The voice cue is the one that can't reinforce itself. Say whoa deep and low.
[25:34] This is the third cue taught, because your going to have to use the other two to reinforce it.
[26:05] Teach the horse that woah means back three steps.
[28:47] You can do this exercise outside of a show season.
[29:12] A few mistakes people make include not using the reins enough. Try to value all three cues equally.
[30:44] I call this a leg cue instead of a seat cue, I want the rider to think about their legs.
[32:57] The most common mistake people make with the voice cue is over using it.
[34:32] When the horse understand statues it becomes educated at a higher level and able to think at a higher level.
[35:55] A lot of really hot horses think that the legs are only a gas pedal. When they start to learn that legs can mean different things, it really opens up the horses mind.
[37:12] If your horse doesn't go forward, don't use the legs as a backup cue.
[40:57] Leg waving uses the energy coming from the horse. It can cue the horse to a different speed.
Links and Resources:
Developing an independent seat: colt starting, reining, western dressage
Episode 39: The Two Most Basic Cues When Riding a Horse
Episode 41: True Forward Motion in a Horse
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac
Stacy Westfall Championship Bareback & Bridleless Freestyle Reining with Roxy
Equithrive Use the code STACY for 10% off and Free Shipping
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
One of the number one issues that I get questions about is improving a lope or canter and doing it safely. I use the four square model of the horse’s mind, the horse's body, rider’s mind, and rider’s body to illustrate some safety precautions for improving your lope and canter. To explain the issues people have and a common remedy, I kick the show off with a call from one of my past clinic participants named Bob. I asked Bob if he’d be willing to share his experience with everyone, and he agreed.
After my conversation with Bob, I have another guest named Michelle that had a horse with very serious metabolic issues and laminitis. I remember things better when they are wrapped in a story, and I’ve never had a horse with these issues. Michelle shares her story of trying to get a diagnosis for her horse, and the treatment that finally helped her recover. Michelle hopes that her story will help others be advocates for their horses.
Show Notes:
[01:53] Bob came to one of our clinics, and he lives close enough to us that he's been able to take lessons with Jesse.
[02:13] His question was about getting a controlled rhythmic lope that he's seen a lot of other people accomplish. Bob's lopes were frantic and even scary at times.
[02:35] Bob's main assignment was to lope more for longer periods of time.
[03:01] After increasing his time, his horse will now rhythmically canter.
[03:41] Bob thinks that the horse was thinking that if he went fast he would get the stop.
[06:10] Bob's question is one of the most common questions.
[07:19] The improvement has really made a difference in Bob's mounted shooting. He rides about three to four days a week. He works his horse for an hour.
[08:26] He works on things in the outdoor arena and on trail rides.
[09:26] Let's use the four square model and begin with the horse's body to talk about safety when working up to your lope or canter.
[09:36] You may need to improve your horses physical conditioning to improve his lope or canter. You can do this by lunging more on a lunge line or in a round pen.
[10:03] You could also lunge over poles at a canter.
[10:37] You also need to take a look at your horses mind. If you're unclear about your horse's body or mind, get a professional opinion to put you at ease.
[11:39] Another square in the model is the rider's body. What is making you physically uncomfortable about writing more?
[12:23] You should work on your trot to improve your confidence before you work into the lope.
[13:47] You can also improve your physical strength outside of riding a horse.
[14:06] When you go to the fourth quadrant of the rider's mind, a great exercise to do is write down all of your fears on a piece of paper. Then find a solution for each thing that is holding you back.
[16:45] I believe in analyzing what is going on with the fear rather than just forcing yourself to work through it.
[19:54] Michelle bought her horse when it had just turned three. Her horse was a healthy Tennessee Walking Horse.
[20:35] When Michelle's horse was seven, she began having acute lameness. It took awhile to diagnose it as laminitis.
[21:25] Some symptoms that the horse had included breaking out in hives then becoming acutely lame. She acted like her front feet were sore, but there was no visible injury.
[23:47] With x-rays at the veterinarian, they were able to see the rotation and the sinking in her feet.
[24:48] After treatment, every six weeks for a year. The horse fully recovered. She still wears special shoes and goes to the vet once a year.
[26:13] She also started medication to boost her metabolism. The lab work did indicate a metabolic issue.
[27:58] The horse is also on a special diet and takes supplements. She is 11 years old now, and she has fully recovered.
[30:23] Michelle followed up with lab work, because the numbers tell you what is working.
[33:34] The horse is now on Metabarol and vitamin E.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall's Video Vault
Episode 1: Fear vs Danger: Riders Can Improve If They Know the Difference
Rood & Riddle Equine Podiatry
Equithrive Metabarol
$50 Rebate Program
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
Have you ever been trail riding and realized that your right leg was passing very close to a tree? Have you pulled the reins to the left, and the horses neck went to the left but your leg still hit the tree? This is because horses don’t always follow their necks. They follow their shoulders.
Most of us have learned that if we want the horse to go to the right, we pull on the right rein and if we want the horse to go to the left, we pull on the left rein. Most of the time, the head and shoulder will go in that direction.
In this episode, I'm going to explain the foundation for improving steering. This involves becoming very aware of shoulder control. I'll explain the idea that horses don't always follow their heads, and I'll give you an exercise to help improve your timing with this new awareness.
Show Notes:
[03:46] Horses don't always follow their heads, but they do always follow their shoulders.
[04:21] It's easy to think horses follow their heads, because that's one of the first things that riders and horses are taught.
[04:36] Today, we're going to embrace the idea that the horse doesn't always follow the shoulder, and we can move the head in one direction and the shoulder in the opposite direction.
[04:44] The only way this is possible is if the horse comprehends it and the aids are applied in the right manner.
[04:58] The same method that was used to train the horse to follow the shoulders, can have different timing and make something different happen. You can look at this as untraining or adding another layer.
[05:27] When I coach riders with horses at the elementary level, I often see steering problems.
[06:04] If a horse lacks a higher education, a rider might release out of self-preservation and the horse starts to see Grandma's rules and does what it wants.
[07:46] It's very fascinating what we can teach these horses on accident. When you realize how much can be taught on accident, you can really follow the line of thinking and start seeing how the horse is applying this.
[08:41] Sometimes riders don't notice subtle steering problems, because they don't ride specific patterns.
[11:34] Arena work helps horses see a pattern and think logically.
[14:39] Spiraling out is the horse bending to the left and going to the left. The right rein gets pulled towards three o'clock and the shoulder goes to the right.
[15:29] In neck reining, the right rein means to go to the left. This sounds confusing, but we are still moving the horses shoulder to the left. It's about the shoulders.
[15:56] Go in a small circle to the left. Your horse is going to ask a lot of questions.
[17:50] Whatever you release on is going to matter.
[18:31] Pay attention to the front feet. Think about where they are going. This will change every three or four steps.
[19:32] You can start to feel where you can have the timing to influence the horse.
[21:39] In elementary school, we teach the horse to move their shoulder in the direction that we pull the rein.
[21:57] In high school, we spiral out and ask the horse to bend in one direction and move the shoulder in the opposite.
[22:21] Eventually, we get to a point where we can neck rein. This means the horse will move the shoulder and bend to the direction of travel.
[22:47] The first exercise is one rein and both legs evenly. Ride in a circle to the left. Using one rein, the rider starts to experiment after a while.
[25:18] Riders start to realize how effective their legs can be for driving the horse forward and in a bigger circle.
Links and Resources:
Equithrive Use the code STACY for 10% off
Tennessee Equine Hospital
Tennessee Equine Hospital Facebook
Episode 38: Rewarding Physical and Mental Changes in Your Horse
Episode 18: Improving Your Aids When Riding Your Horse
Episode 19: Your Weakest Aid When Horseback Riding
Episode 20: The Hierarchy of the Riders Aids as the Horse Advances
Episode 36: 3 Reasons to Do Groundwork With Your Horse
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
Hot horses are those high energy horses who want to run fast and don’t always do what you want. In this episode, I go back to my teeter totter example to explain the spectrum of hot horses. Picture a +10 on one side and a -10 on the other. A hot horse will run the spectrum on the plus side. I also talk about the difference between a hot horse with high energy and a horse that could be nervous or confused because of lack of training.
I explore the pros and cons of hot horses and how they can be better trained. The horse's body is a reflection of their mind, and I answer a couple of listener questions about hot horses and give some examples that might be helpful. In today’s On Call with Dr. Monty we talk about the number one killer of horses, and Dr. Monty shares a wonderful program that can help save horses and give owners peace of mind.
Show Notes:
[05:04] My horse Popcorn is more of a natural +7. He puts his head down in the pasture and runs as hard and fast as he can. At his core, he is a very hot horse.
[06:55] Pros of hot horses include them being athletic and easy to motivate. They are also very sensitive. They tend to think quick. They are quick on their feet and mentally in thinking.
[07:47] Cons include thinking quick, being sensitive, being athletic, and trying too hard. All of the things that are the pros are also the cons with hot horses.
[08:09] Hot isn't good or bad, but it's definitely more useful in certain situations and less useful in other situations.
[09:01] It's okay to recognize certain traits. If you just want a horse to walk down the trail, you probably don't want a hot horse.
[09:34] Be aware of the patterns that you use when you ride. These include the physical pattern that you ride in and the habits you have while you ride.
[10:01] Add groundwork, because it's a great place to teach emotional control. This teaches the horse how to behave correctly under pressure, and it helps convince you that the horse will behave correctly.
[11:02] Hot horses often get rewarded for being hot.
[16:06] A listener question about a horse that needs to let go and relax.
[17:47] The horse gets faster on a loose rein. This might mean that he is a little bit lost. If the horse is lost, use more encouragement to give him guidance. He needs a hug.
[19:01] The percentage of groundwork isn't as important as the quality of the groundwork and what you are releasing on.
[20:43] You could be working on some thoughts that the horse thinks are a good idea, but they're not.
[21:50] I have a test to make sure horses understand the difference between whip and stand still that I use before I mount up.
[22:42] It all boils down to where he finds release.
[23:16] A listener question about a 16 year old gelding who doesn't want to walk after a canter or trot.
[24:47] There are signs on both sides of the teeter totter. This is a good sign that your horse is closer to zero. He is going back and forth between the two sides.
[26:07] When he goes up, he may not know how to go down. This could be a training issue.
[26:45] You need to use your legs more with a hot horse.
[27:10] Avoid spicy exercises with a hot horse. Add more base or boring stuff. Repetitive exercises can slow a horses mind down.
[29:11] Make sure downward transitions are like a hug. Close all of your aids or hands and legs. Applying pressure doesn't always mean move. Applying pressure to slow down is great to do in groundwork.
[32:22] These horses also contract their strides. Working on turns like the four leaf clover pattern can help.
[34:27] Keep thinking hug, soften, release.
[34:40] It matters where you release these horses.
[36:57] Use less leg on a cold horse and more leg on a hot horse.
[38:21] With hot horses you have a lot of forward motion to work with, and they are asking for the training.
[39:31] Colic is such a scary thing. It's the number one cause of death in horses. You shouldn't be scared about colic, but you should be ready.
[40:01] Out of every colic that Dr. Monty sees, 8 out of 10 just need medication and a veterinary examination. When you see signs of not wanting to eat, laying down, or trying to roll consider colic as a possible cause and get in touch with your veterinarian.
[40:39] About 1 1/2 out of 10 may need additional management and fluids and pain medication. Your veterinarian or veterinary hospital can help with that.
[41:05] The last category is the 1/2 horse out of 10 or the 5 out of 100 that have a life threatening condition and need surgery. They could have a twist or displacement or something going on that could kill the horse if it doesn't have surgery.
[41:35] At Tennessee Equine Hospital, they have a loyalty program where if they help with wellness and basic care, and you pay $50 a year, they will pay for your horses colic surgery, if needed.
[43:00] They have a greater than 80-85% success rate with their colic surgeries.
[43:39] They started the Promise Program, because one year they had to euthanize close to 60 horses that had owners who didn't or couldn't pay for the surgery.
Links and Resources:
Equithrive Use the code STACY for 10% off
Tennessee Equine Hospital
Tennessee Equine Hospital Facebook
Smart Start: Building a Strong Foundation for Your Horse
Stacy Westfall 2003 NRHA Futurity Freestyle Bridleless Reining
Stacy Westfall - 2011 Congress Freestyle Reining Bridleless - Can Can Vaquero
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 1-First Day-Part 1-Evaluating Jac
Teach your horse to stand still: trail and arena Episode 3: The Trail to the World Show
Stacy Westfall: Emotional control of your horse (3 of 10)
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
When we become very familiar with a term, it can sometimes lose meaning. When I talk about a horse having a lack of forward motion or needing more forward motion what I'm actually talking about is the horses first response without resistance.
Symptoms of not having forward motion would be a sluggish walk and a sluggish upward transition from walk to trot or from trot to lope. It can also manifest itself in the horse refusing to cross mud or being hesitant to load in the trailer. It can even be not going over a tarp, entering an arena, or not leading down a trail.
This episode is all about forward motion with definitions and examples. Then I talk about how learning something hard can make things easier. In my segment with Dr. Monty, we mention the unmentionables.
Show Notes:
[03:03] An example is a horse not walking into an arena. This is why it's important to teach a horse to lope over a tarp. This helps overcome the resistance of doing something that might be a little bit uncomfortable.
[04:04] I also got an email about a horse backing up when not appropriate.
[06:23] When we took our horses trail riding, they would go through the mud and the stream. These horses had learned true forward motion.
[09:07] The horses trusted the work done in the arena, so they were confident to move forward on the trail.
[10:03] I want my horses to be purposeful and thoughtful, but still apply forward motion.
[11:06] Another example is horses that won't enter an arena. These fast horses didn't understand forward motion.
[12:17] Hot horses don't truly understand leg pressure and forward motion, because they don't practice it very often.
[15:22] When you avoid making contact and pressure on the reins, the horse doesn't get a chance to learn higher level thinking. There's no place for a horse to work on balancing their body if you don't work on collection with them.
[19:06] A horse that isn't allowed to learn might lean against the rider's leg and not be truly forward.
[21:53] Collection is taught through connection with the reins and the legs of the rider.
[23:19] Teaching forward motion isn't complicated.
[29:07] When a rider becomes willing to make a connection with the reins, he can move forward under pressure with the horse.
[31:11] Your horse can learn to go forward and become better for it.
[32:36] You can teach a horse to become confident and overcome pressure. Teaching a horse to handle pressure might seem hard, but it makes their life easier in the end.
[33:52] Sheath and udder cleaning is our mystery subject with Dr. Monty.
[35:04] Moisture buildup can lead to infection. These areas need to be cleaned to prevent infection.
[36:54] Over cleaning can also cause irritation. You can use too many soaps and cleaners.
[37:23] Dr. Monty doesn't recommend using soap regularly. He recommends a product called Excalibur.
[38:01] It's not a bad idea to have a professional help with this or at least have an exam to see what is needed.
Links and Resources:
Episode 38: Rewarding Physical and Mental Changes in Your Horse
Equithrive
Tennessee Equine Hospital
Excalibur
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
There are times when you may need to make an emergency stop with your horse. One way to do this is to disengage the horse’s hips. This is something that I do not do in my training, and today, I’m going to tell you why. First, I’m going to explain exactly what I mean by disengaging the horse’s hip. I’m also going to discuss the difference when riding and doing groundwork.
When learning about horses, I encourage you to look at many programs including other people’s. When watching other programs look at the form to function and then make your own decisions. They may not use the same terminology.
I also have an interesting and forward thinking discussion with Dr. Monty about deworming.
Show Notes:
[00:58] What I mean by disengaging the horse's hip is that the horse should plant its front feet and swing its hips to the side when doing groundwork or riding.
[01:19] You could also think of this as a turn on the forehand during groundwork.
[02:01] During ridden work it's when the head is pulled around to the rider's leg.
[03:11] The interesting thing when discussing engaging versus disengaging is that it can be different, so we need to get really specific with our definitions.
[05:27] Disengagement is going to have the front end of the horse planted and engagement is going to still have forward motion.
[06:31] I have said for years, that I don't teach my horses to disengage. I only did it as a requirement for a test.
[07:19] I don't teach my horses to disengage during riding, because it's going to slow my training down, and it's counter to everything else I do.
[07:54] It's easier for a horse to disengage than engage, so I'm not going to teach something easier right at the beginning.
[08:12] I use disengaging for groundwork, because I'm using it to get the horse to turn and face me.
[08:32] I also don't use any disengaging moments at higher speeds.
[10:49] Sometimes disengaging and engaging will look similar, because they both have forward motion. Maintaining motion is the hallmark.
[12:25] I teach disengage on groundwork limited to the walk and the trot. I don't use it exclusively.
[14:32] When riding, I teach the horse to bend and freeze its feet.
[17:22] Having a horse disengage is uncomfortable, because it's not very well-balanced.
[18:01] Use a one rein or emergency stop by bending the horses head around, so you can jump off.
[20:48] Dr. Monty and I discuss deworming.
[22:45] The old school way is to deworm every two months.
[23:23] The latest thinking is to take a yearly fecal test and then determine what level of parasite load the horse has and then make a proper deworm plan.
[24:03] You won't be able to keep your horse from parasites, but they do have a natural immunity.
[25:05] Horses with a low parasite number are dewormed twice a year. A horse with higher numbers is dewormed every 90 days. Really high numbers are dewormed and then checked in two more weeks.
[25:44] There will be low numbers, medium numbers and high numbers.
[26:07] Get a fecal test done and treat your horse appropriately.
Links and Resources:
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 1-First Day-Part 1-Evaluating Jac
Episode 39: The Two Most Basic Cues When Riding a Horse
Equithrive
Tennessee Equine Hospital
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
It's a bold statement to say there are two simple cues that fix most issues. When I say most issues I mean things like bucking, rearing, head tossing, and a lot of the issues that we experienced under saddle. You might wonder how it’s possible that two simple cues can fix most of those issues? In this episode, I explain the first two cues that I teach a horse when I'm riding them under a saddle.
I’ll talk about these cues in three different phases and from the horses point of view and the rider’s point of view. These two important elementary cues are bend and forward motion. These two cues are the cornerstone of safety when teaching your horse to ride under saddle. I also answer a listener question and discuss equine dentistry with Dr. Monty.
Show Notes:
[03:21] Bend and forward motion are the two elementary cues.
[04:12] These cues don't go away when the horse makes it to high school. They are just masked by the other cues. When we get to college with the horse we have a more advanced level of communication.
[06:02] I think maybe these cues are underused because people start with their horse in high school. It also feels like less control if you go down to one rein.
[07:38] Horses are very straight when they buck and rear and exhibit problems. This elementary school exercise helps to get the horses engaged right off the bat.
[09:06] The bare minimum with training Popcorn was to get him to bend around and trot. These were my safe baselines.
[10:49] When I start coaching a rider to let go more, and they have fear, they are lacking the understanding of less is more.
[11:04] Bend is your friend. I say this over and over at clinics.
[11:40] For safety, foundation exercises are your friend.
[12:09] Think about what it would take to be able to bend the horse a little bit more.
[12:45] The horse is more comfortable when it's not as restricted. If a rider is using all four aides, that puts a lot of pressure on the horse.
[14:50] The clarity of simplifying makes it much easier on the horse.
[15:18] Early exercises are the foundations of the horses training. You can understand the horse's feedback better if you reduce everything down to the most simple cues that you can give.
[16:49] Stacy shares a listener question about trail riding with a gelding that complains or bucks when they go into a lope. The listener usually rides through it. Does this need to be fixed?
[18:47] When a pattern develops, it's time to get ahead of it. Try to address it proactively.
[20:20] Walk, trot, then work in a circle with some bend. Trot a little faster and ease up. This can address the complaints at a lower level.
[24:01] Once your horse realizes that loping is easier than trotting fast, he'll want to lope.
Equine Dentistry with Dr. Monty:
[26:59] Horses in the wild with good teeth do better. It's part of natural selection.
[27:56] Domesticated horses aren't bred for good teeth. Domesticated horses have a lot of dental issues.
[28:32] Horses teeth continue to grow longer. If they are aligned, the length will be ground off. Bad behavior can be a sign of dental problems.
[30:29] Dr. Monty and a lot of other vets do dentistry.
[31:29] Make corrections in phases. Don't be aggressive. Also get a reference. Check the horses teeth at least annually but twice a year is better.
Links and Resources:
Episode 6: The horse’s path of learning is NOT the same as the rider
Equithrive
Tennessee Equine Hospital
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
Timing is everything when it comes to horse training. I don't want to put any pressure on you, but you need really good timing.
Your timing may never be perfect, but it can always be improved. In a future episode, I will also talk about how in the beginning, your timing is everything and then once the horse picks up more responsibility your timing is less important. This is such a great topic, because the contradictions can be almost mind-blowing, yet the subtleties are so important to learn.
This episode is all about the importance of timing. I talk about how to improve your timing and common mistakes I see in timing. Then is my segment with Dr. Monty we discuss electrolytes and cooling down your horse. You don't want to miss this, because Dr. Monty gives me a cooling tip that I've never heard before.
Show Notes:
[02:18] Physical timing is the first thing that people are able to see and identify. Later on people develop the ability to reward mental timing.
[03:50] Your horse will reveal to you the spots where you have the weakest understanding.
[04:37] A listener question about timing. He has trouble loading into the trailer.
[06:26] The horses fear is often a lack of understanding. The horse needs to be desensitized to the stimulus that causes the fear. He also needs to be sensitized to the halter.
[08:43] The goal is to see an emotional balance across the board.
[10:16] Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't means that there are holes in the training.
[14:26] Pulling the horse on the trailer is never a good idea.
[16:57] When your horse sees the trailer his brain doesn't want to go on to it, so his feet don't move. Finding the answers can get very layered.
[18:28] You can hear all aspects of the four square model in trailer loading. The riders mind, the rider's body, the horse's mind, and the horse's body.
[18:47] There's a difference between physical timing and mental timing. Physical timing is a great place to start.
[20:12] The horse can't squeeze between your body and the trailer if you're standing with your shoulder against the trailer.
[21:45] Without the clarity of a goal, people can be unclear.
[23:28] The lead line is in your left hand. The moves you make can be like a chess game. Put a light pressure on the lead rope.
[25:00] Watch your horse as you take the slack out.
[29:52] Look at his eyes. If he looks asleep, he's ready for another question.
[31:04] Patience is an underused tool.
[32:27] Timing is tied to what he is thinking.
[35:15] Pick up the slack again. Are his eyes wide?
[38:08] Raise your right hand. What did your horse say? Pay attention to the little details.
[44:02] Groundwork is all done with timing.
[45:16] I love liberty work. Part of our job is to teach horses to speak human. A horses reaction to pressure in a healthy way can keep them safe.
[48:03] When you start to see what is happening, it gets fun, because you can see the problem ahead and be proactive.
[49:05] A question about a young horse and directing his attention to a different spot.
[54:15] Engaging a horse in the conversation takes away the boredom.
Dr. Monty and I Discuss Electrolytes and Dealing With the Heat
[55:12] When it's hot what signs indicate stress and is white block salt enough?
[55:33] The salt contains electrolytes which helps cool the horse and improves the cardiovascular system.
[56:02] White salt may not be enough. When it's really hot put an electrolyte supplement into the feed.
[57:01] If it's too hot for you, it's probably not the best time to ride. Start early or wait until the evening. Horses deal with heat through respiration and sweating.
[57:49] Placing ice on the jugular vein will cool the blood flow which helps to cool the body.
Links and Resources:
Trailer Loading Tips Sponsored by Tekonshah
Stacy Westfall horse training lesson with Twilite Trailers - Part 1
Stacy Westfall horse training lesson with Twilite Trailers - Part 2
Episode 30: Correcting Behavior We Dislike In Our Horses
Equithrive Use the code Stacy for 10% off and free shipping
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
Before we begin I want to clear up something about last week's podcast. I randomly mentioned something going on with Popcorn's ear. He has a papilloma virus or ear plaque, but it's improving dramatically.
In this episode, I'm going to explain the first communication I developed during groundwork. I'm also going to talk about the difference between leading versus drawing. In my final segment with Dr. Monty, we answer a listener question about increasing exercise tolerance versus overworking.
Show Notes:
[02:45] When someone brings a horse in for a lesson some of the first things I want to know include can I get this horse out of my space and can I get it to face me.
[05:40] Horses that are in your space need to learn how to back out of your space. You can make your arms big or tap on the knee.
[07:26] I do a lot of my work on a lunge line.
[08:43] When a horse is on the line, I want to keep them out of my space and ask them to turn and face me. With this, I no longer feel crowded and the horse is facing me.
[09:45] If you watch the video in my first email newsletter, you will see an example of Popcorn and two younger horses deciding who is going to back out of the space.
[11:15] When horses interact, and they have a lot of respect for each other, they have a bigger bubble.
[12:18] Some will jockey for space and some kick and some bite.
[12:56] Observe the language that you see your horses using when they interact with each other.
[13:06] Can I keep the horse out of my space at least four feet out? Is the horse facing me? Am I able to send this horse to the left or the right?
[14:04] Communication gets more subtle. Body language is big in the beginning.
[15:04] Use big animated body language when first working with a horse. The end goal is to get the communication really refined.
[16:31] I'll have the owner stand in a hula hoop and see if they can back the horse out of their space.
[17:05] These are some of the things to think about when it comes to the horses body.
[18:08] At the beginning, I use drawing them in more than leading. I usually lead the horse from the side, so it's not pulling directly against me.
[20:06] Your body has so much power to communicate.
Dr. Monty Answers a Listener Question About Increasing Exercise Tolerance Versus Overworking
[25:20] Where is the line between over practicing and keeping a rhythm?
[26:23] Look how the horse is breathing and how the horse is sweating. You can tell how a horse is doing by watching respiration and sweat. Also think how healthy a horses joints are.
[28:00] Exercise your horse three to five times a week and start easy with a trot before going into canter work. It takes two to three weeks for a horse to increase strength and endurance.
Links and Resources:
Are ear plaques better left alone?
Stacy Westfall YouTube
Equithrive tell them Stacy sent you.
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
A big part of training is establishing communication in a safe way. In this episode, I share three reasons why you should do groundwork. I share how to safely work with horses at different stages and one of the biggest aspects of communication which is reading body language.
I also introduce a new segment with equine veterinarian Dr. Monty McInturff.
Over the years, I've spent a lot of time with great veterinarians. There is routine care, maintenance, and early diagnostic care. Seeing so many horses in training is kind of like being a sports coach. If I saw something off, a vet trip would be needed. Anytime you can spend time at vet clinics watching what is going on is a huge learning opportunity.
When I was talking to the folks at Equithrive and they said they had lots of connections with vets, it was super exciting to me to think that I could continue my education through this partnership with them. This week I am bringing you a new segment called: On Call with Dr. Monty. Dr. Monty has been an equine practitioner for over 30 years and specifically focuses on the equine athlete.
Show Notes:
[01:12] Stacy shares an entertaining listener voice mail where he acted out her podcast instructions while listening at an airport.
[02:12] A deep dive into the horses body. The first thing I go to is a horse in a round pen. Thinking about ground work makes it easier to think about the horses body.
[03:32] Three reasons why you should do ground work: 1. It's the best place to read the horses body. 2. It's the best for your horse to learn to read your body. 3. You can teach emotional control.
[04:10] Picture yourself standing in the middle of a 60 foot round pen. A wild horse will be further away from you. As a handler, you read the body language and decide where to move while the horse is reading your body language.
[07:15] There is a conversation happening between the horse and rider even if it just looks like a horse and rider walking towards a stall.
[07:45] Your horse is reading your body language and what he is allowed to do and not allowed to do.
[08:31] I want you to think about the power that comes in having the horse away 15 or 20 feet away from you. Now you have a complete picture of the horse's body.
[09:33] Think about how the conversation feels different when you and the horse really respect each other's space.
[11:04] When horses are in our space but ignoring us, it's a problem.
[12:04] Earn the right to be in your horse's space and have the horse earn the right to be in your space by being respectful of you.
[14:27] When your horse is 20 feet out, you can really start to see what the horse is looking at and the world through his eyes.
[16:20] If your horse isn't interested in you, he's not going to be reading your body language.
[16:47] Teaching emotional control is the beauty of groundwork. I'm going to do this with a horse that's a little bit further away from me.
[20:23] I think it's the desire for closeness that brings us in too close to our horses bodies too often. This can accidentally set us up for a dangerous spot.
[21:59] When your horse is closer than four feet, you need a very clear working system, because there is a danger zone.
[23:09] Look at ground work as a place where you can study and read your horses body language, and your horse can study and read your body language. It's also an amazing place to teach emotional control to the horse.
[23:36] Are you doing enough groundwork to allow your horse to read your body language? Can you adjust the working Zone you have around your horse?
On Call with Dr. Monty
[31:48] The owner of Equithrive approached Dr. Monty about 10 years ago to ask him to try a product. Dr. Monty wasn't interested in an oral joint supplement, but the owner of Equithrive gave him a sample.
[32:54] He gave a trainer the product to try. A couple months later the trainer was asking for more. He said it really worked great for his horses.
[33:42] Taking the product twice a day had 19 or 20 year old horses acting like they were 9 or 10. They had more endurance and were more active.
[34:00] Dr. Monty started using it on older horses, and now, it's the only oral joint supplement that he recommends.
[35:18] Stacy uses the supplement on Popcorn and noticed dramatic effects. The product turns down the production of inflammatory enzymes.
Links and Resources:
Stacy’s Video Diary
Equithrive Use code Stacy for 10% off and free shipping
Tennessee Equine Hospital
Monty McInturff, DVM
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
Welcome to Season 4 where it's all about the horse's body. In this episode, I'm going to give you three tips to use when reading your horse's body language. I also answer a listener question, and I share a new segment that's coming up in future podcasts. If you remember from Season 1, I used the four square model to break down the concepts and divide them into the rider’s mind, the rider’s body, the horse’s mind, and the horse’s body.
The horse’s mind and body are connected, because we see what is going on in the horse’s mind by watching the horse’s body. This is why it’s so important to break things down into three steps when trying to interpret a horses body language. I break down those steps in this episode to help you better understand how your horses actions convey what is going on in your horse's mind.
Show Notes:
[01:42] When we discuss the horse's body, we physically see what our horses are doing. We see their mind reflected in their body.
[02:08] Trying to separate the horse’s mind and the horse's body is kind of like trying to separate two sides of a coin.
[02:27] When becoming a student of body language, it's important to take a few extra steps and break things down.
[02:42] We can read a lot of different things into body language. Here are three tips to help read the horse's body language. Number one is observe the horses actions factually. Number two is observe your actions factually. Number three is to walk away and then draw your conclusion. This is where you would figure out how to modify the behavior.
[03:23] I think there's a lot of similarities between the dynamics of people being in groups and horses being in groups.
[03:45] Observe your horse just by reading its actions.
[05:27] Try to differentiate between the actual facts of what's happening and the story you may have in your head.
[07:50] My mind and body is having an influence over the horse's mind or it's pretending not to and allowing the horses mind to do what it wants.
[09:16] If you like that your horse protects you, you are going to project that and allow that.
[09:32] To modify a horse's behavior it first has to change in your mind, then your body, then your behavior influences the horse's mind and the horse's body.
[09:56] In this podcast, we are going to discuss how to influence the horse's body as we recognize that there are a lot of different layers to this.
[10:31] Observe the big picture of the whole ride and long-term patterns. As you notice the patterns, you can break down whether something is happening in the horses mind or the horses body.
[14:11] What makes breaking down the horse's body the most difficult of anything is the lingering question in the back of your mind is your horse lame or sore. This is where a long-term view becomes helpful.
[15:06] A lot of questions in a rider's mind revolve around if they are riding their horse too hard or too much. Not wanting to hurt your horse comes from a good place, but it can creep into the horse's mind when they sense your hesitation.
[15:45] A listener question about routine care for a horse's health. I don't always feel qualified to answer questions about a horses health, but my new sponsor, Equithrive is going to bring a new segment to the podcast called On Call where I get questions answered by different vets.
[16:56] Equithrive works really closely with veterinarians, and they've lined up some of the top veterinarians in the country to join me on the podcast to answer your questions about your horses help.
Links and Resources:
Episode 1: Fear vs Danger: Riders can improve if they know the difference
Equithrive
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
I am answering a listener question about repetition and learned helplessness which was a response to my newsletter. The definition of learned helplessness from Google is a condition in which a person suffers from a sense of powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed. It is thought to be one of the underlying causes of depression.
So the definition is somewhere between a traumatic event and persistent failure to succeed. The question involved trotting in 10 circles, so it's definitely going to be more around the persistent failure to succeed model. The main concept of this podcast will go back to the four square model of the rider's mind, the rider's body, the horses mind, and the horse's body. Along with, the concept of what you believe about learned helplessness with people.
Show Notes:
[05:16] My response is going to be based more on the definition of a persistent failure to succeed.
[06:14] This is where the four square model really shines. We have the rider's mind, the rider's body, the horses mind, and the horse's body.
[06:51] As a person, you're going to have a lot of experience between where you think that line of persistent failure to succeed may be or stretching your comfort zone.
[07:09] When I think of learned helplessness with people I think about kids going to school. Kids often ask if they really need to go to school or having to sit in a long meeting.
[08:41] The rider's mind connects to your body and how you show up with your horse. This will be reflected in the horses mind and body.
[09:32] Horses do a good job of reflecting us.
[10:15] Horses are going to move with whatever is allowed.
[10:32] If a rider believes that 10 laps are negative, they will reflect that back to the horse.
[11:44] Horses pick up on your mind and your body.
[12:32] Breaking down the four square model is super important.
[13:44] There are places where you still have to do a lot of physical work, and this is where the rider's body and the horse's body comes in.
[14:15] I choose to believe that Willow is capable of more than what her natural reactions are.
[15:41] I decided that Willow would be my best bet to train for traditional dressage. I signed up for my first traditional show in February, and Willow had never have the saddle on.
[16:30] I trusted that I would be consciously competent at some point.
[16:43] I also trusted in episode 10 about making mistakes in the right direction and episode 14 where there's a lot of muscle memory and habit building on my side.
[16:58] I also believed that I was adding layers like an episode 31 and episode 22 where horses move beyond predator and prey.
[17:22] Willow and I just learned our bronze medal in dressage. The bronze is the first of the three levels that signifies your competency level.
[17:56] It wasn't easy or mistake free. We completed all of these levels because of belief and trying.
[19:11] What you believe will become evident as you play out your actions.
[19:42] Figure out what you believe about learned helplessness with humans and then think about applying something similar to horses.
[20:34] Next week, we start Season Four: The Horse's Body. I'll also be announcing my first sponsor, so stay tuned.
Links and Resources:
Starbucks Pony Espresso: Riding My Horse Thru the Drive Thru
Norco, CA Horsetown USA
Trail to the Western Dressage World Show
Episode 5: The Four Stages of Competency
Episode 10: Make Mistakes in the Right Direction
Episode 14: Muscle Memory: habits & experience can improve your horseback riding skills
Episode 31: Listener Question: Untraining a Horse or Adding Layers?
Episode 22: Beyond Prey vs Predator: You’re Underestimating Your Horse
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
In this episode, I'm answering a listener question about peaking a horse for a show. The question is how do you keep your horse from peaking before you go to the show? The listener is a week away from a cowboy obstacle racing show. She exercised her mare yesterday, and the mare was spot ready. She doesn't want to overtrain her horse if the horse is at its peak.
To answer this question, I ask some questions about getting the horse to peak, how long did it take, and how long did it last. Since, I’m not on the phone with the listener, I’m going to run through some different scenarios about these questions that will hopefully help her gain clarity. Also, if anyone is interested in recording a Q and A phone conversation with me, let me know. That could be a really fun podcast.
Show Notes:
[02:10] How did you get your horse to this peak? How long did it take? Have you had her at a peak like this before? How long did that peak last? What do you think brought her down from that last peak?
[03:05] Keep in mind as I run through these scenarios, we are trying to bring the horse into the zone, but it's kind of like that teeter-totter we've talked about previously.
[03:42] How did you get her to this peak? If a horse is going to peak quickly and then fall off the other side I need an awareness that it's happening.
[05:17] With a very responsive horse you need to realize what the breaking point is and where they start to tip over the edge. You might want to peak this horse right before the show or learn how to extend it afterwards like rocking the teeter totter.
[07:24] You should be trying to figure this out at home when you don't have a show.
[08:17] With a really relaxed horse, you want to start to sharpen them a week before the start of the show. With a horse like this ask how long the last peak lasted?
[10:13] Why doesn't the balance last? At the lower levels it's achievable. It's very possible to get a horse balanced in a state where you have a level way of being across the board.
[10:53] When you start taking horses to a higher level, you have to start thinking about getting into the zone. When you're operating at a very high level, you are asking for a very high level of mental sharpness which can cause a certain amount of stress.
[12:03] As the zone moves higher, it's a different conversation than the balanced teeter-totter.
[12:27] Think about how much you are taking the horse out of its comfort zone, and its ability level.
[13:09] Horses who have to max out physically are pushing the edge of mental.
[14:15] I love showing, because it brings up my awareness about the subject. These things happen everywhere where you work with your horse.
[14:44] It's important to remember when you work a horse at a high level, you are bringing a certain amount of stress, so it's important to also bring the horse down from that level of stress.
Links and Resources:
WestfallHorsemanship@gmail.com
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
Is your horse’s behavior caused by mental issues or training issues? Today, I have a listener question from Italy. The listener has a 10-year-old gelding that is still exhibiting the same behavior or training problems that he had when she got him at four and a half years old.
She is wondering if some horses have trauma that makes it impossible to fix certain issues. I’ll be answering this question by discussing what constitutes mental issues and what constitutes training issues. Then I’ll share my idea that is 10%, 80%, and 10%.
Show Notes:
[02:52] The truest mental issues I've ever seen with a horse makes me think of a chemical imbalance.
[03:25] Studies have suggested that aggressive dogs don't have the same amount of serotonin in their bodies.
[03:53] Have you ever heard the expression are you loco? Animals can eat locoweed and experience symptoms and signs weeks or even months later. Altered and aggressive behavior is often observed.
[04:43] This includes a violent reaction to routine practices like putting a halter on. Horses also experience more severe neurological effects than cows or sheep do.
[05:05] Removal from exposure to the plant can help with some behavioral changes but some may be permanent.
[05:18] There is evidence that there are things that can affect horses mentally that can last for a very long time.
[05:44] Out of all of the horses I've observed, I've only seen two who I thought were in this case.
[06:31] If the horse is truly having an imbalance type of thing, you are going to see changes across the board.
[07:09] The undiagnosable horse I was talking about would become unnecessarily violent.
[07:42] The vast majority of issues I've seen with horses over the years are training issues.
[08:28] If you put training issues on one side of the teeter-totter and mental issues on the other side, there is a whole spectrum of issues in between.
[09:25] My observation is that there are about 10% of horses who are exceptionally good. They just have a golden temperament.
[10:08] We could maybe go as high as 10% of horses out there who really need an expert.
[10:47] The majority of us deal with that 80% that's in the middle. These horses are greatly influenced by how they were handled.
[11:26] 90% of the horses out there are really good horses with the potential to do great things.
[12:59] Horses that have a temperament to be creative, work the system a little bit more. Don't let your horse know that you are swishy, because if they figure it out it's a bad thing.
[15:24] There is a good chance that this horse has learned different rules between groundwork and ridden work. Because he only acts up in one area, it's a clue that he has learned a different set of rules.
[16:46] The bigger question would be how retrainable is he?
[17:39] Horses often change according to the handler.
[18:05] It's a really big topic of whether it's mental issues or training issues, and it's really worth pondering.
Links and Resources:
Locoweed
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
This week I'm answering a listener question. First, I'm going to answer with the theory, and then I'm going to teach you all how to become a detective. The listener wants to know if she can ‘untrain’ the horse’s desire to run full speed during mounted shooting competitions. She wants the horse to slow down or give her more control.
Some of the questions I ask incluse: Is the trigger only at shows or can you trigger a low level version of this at home? When he gets amped up…what aids does he get resistant to? Do you take him to practices? Does a practice amp him up half way between a shoot and at home? Can you set balloons off of him? This episode is a great look into the horses perspective and adding layers to his training.
Show Notes:
[02:21] Thank you for the question and congratulations on reaching level three.
[03:07] The first thing I would like to start the conversation with is adding layers. Instead of training the horse, start adding layers to his training.
[03:48] This also brings up habits versus control. Habits are usually some version of anticipation.
[04:29] His habit of being asked to give his all is affecting your control over him. This is very common with speed events.
[06:43] People sometimes overlook that horses can have an adrenaline rush and enjoy the racing.
[08:09] At the end of the day, when we add all of these layers, and say habit versus control, I want to feel like I can turn my horse up and down like using a dial.
[09:02] I have to do a lot of work to make a +7 horse a -7 horse.
[10:50] Here are the questions that I would ask for the detective work.
[11:28] Is the trigger only at shows or can you trigger a low level version of this at home? When he gets amped up…what aids does he get resistant to? For example, very sensitive to your legs, pulling/rooting on the bit, rocking horse lope, sideways movement…how does he express himself.
[13:26] If a horse doesn't relax into the hug, then he is resisting.
[13:58] Do you take him to practices? Does a practice amp him up half way between a shoot and at home? Can you set balloons off of him? Does he recover outside the ring or in the ring? Or once he gets ‘up’ does he have trouble coming back down?
[15:40] I go back and retrain my horses all the time. I go all the way back to the basics, because things can become untrained without use.
[18:26] When you become a detective and are able to do all this kind of stuff you will realize which aids he is leaning on and what he might be resistant to.
Links and Resources:
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 13-Training Cycles in horse training: Physical and Emotional
Teaching a horse to handle stress. Episode 4: The Trail to the World Show
4 Steps for Training a Horse for Mounted Shooting
3 Steps for Introducing a Horse to Mounted Shooting
Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation!
If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!
Let's talk about the idea of correcting a horse for behavior that we don't like. I'm going to share three examples of corrections, a different way to think about corrections, and a story to help you remember it all. How smooth are your corrections? If your horse anticipates your correction, does it make him better or does it make him worse?
I'm going to share some examples of corrections that I want you to ponder. Take the time to think about what these corrections would look like from the horse's point of view. The ultimate goal is for the horse to get better as a result of just thinking about the possible corrections.
Show Notes:
[02:03] Stacy kicks the show off with an extreme correction example that she saw when she was in college.
[03:36] It's really important to think about it from the horse's point of view. Does the correction cause the horse to anticipate it and get better or worse?
[04:08] A horse can't make the leap of the rider's mind. The anticipation of the correction can cause a problem.
[05:20] You don't want to send your horse confusing cues. If you can't get forward motion, stop backing your horse up.
[06:10] Horses running backwards is very dangerous for you and the horse.
[06:23] Keys for good corrections includes slow hands and a stair-stepped progression. Coupled with the release of the queue on the desired response.
[07:53] Try a light tap with a rhythm. A hesitation in the rhythm is a noticeable difference. Rhythmic tapping can be much more effective, because the reward is much more noticeable.
[08:53] Clarity is required for your horse to figure out the pattern of the queue.
[09:33] Your correction should be smooth and clear and if the horse anticipates it, they should correct themselves.
[10:21] It becomes a beautiful thing when your horses understand your smooth clear corrections and start correcting themselves.
[10:46] Stacy shares an example of using horse training techniques with her kids and the power of anticipation. Where the correction helps get the outcome.
Links and Resources:
Episode 29: 3 Negative Thoughts Riders Often Have Toward Horses
How do you treat your horse when he makes a mistake? In this episode, I’m going to share three common ways I see riders react to their horse making a mistake and why that matters.
I’m going to talk about the rider not actually recognizing a mistake because of their own lack of clarity. How some riders view their horse through rose colored glasses and incapable of making a mistake, and the harsher view of not letting the horse win.
I tie everything back to a previous episode where I talk about how riders can make mistakes in the right direction, and this episode that explains why better clarity creates better communication with your horse.
Show Notes:
[01:47] It's common for riders to not have clarity or not understand what they want. Although, they do have some clarity on what they don't want.
[01:59] An example of this would be, "I don't want my horse to move when I'm saddling him." The reverse of this would be, "I want my horse to stand still when I'm saddling him."
[02:13] Having clarity of thought will get you closer to what you want.
[02:28] When you think about what you don't want your horse to do, you have a tendency to make corrections from a view of what the horse did wrong.
[03:02] If the clarity of what you actually want hasn't been conveyed to the horse, they are stuck in a guessing game.
[03:58] If we think the horse doesn't make mistakes, then the rider will have a tendency to make excuses for the horse.
[05:31] Sometimes riders will have the attitude of they can't let the horse win or I can't let him do it wrong or he'll learn to cheat.
[06:15] Riders with this attitude can have a tendency to use extreme pressure which will block the conversation between the horse and the rider. This becomes a very win or lose situation.
[07:13] When we're having conversations with horses, it's mostly physical.
[08:07] I can make mistakes in the right direction, because I have a very clear end goal.
[09:16] Horses can make mistakes that are unintentional. I still label it a mistake on the horses part and take action to correct it.
[10:36] As a leader, I have a plan, and I'm willing to execute that plan. I'm also looking to reward as many small movements along the way as I can.
[11:45] You need to know where your operating from when you're handling your horse.
[11:59] Recognize the thoughts that you have that drive your actions.
Links and Resources:
Episode 28: Is Your Horse Training Routine Dead?
Episode 10: Make Mistakes in the Right Direction
How do you know if your training routine is dead? Last week, I talked about how horses can “learn how to learn.” This week, I'm going to take that concept a little further and explain how I use training cycles to influence the horse both physically and mentally. In episode 25, I talked about anticipation in a positive and negative way, and "the horse anticipating the end of the ride.”
Some people may take this as the horse doesn't enjoy being ridden, but actually the horse anticipating the end of the ride is such a clear reward. It's that clarity of the reward that gives the end of the ride such draw or pull. You can actually create that draw at multiple points inside your ride? By getting on and off of the horse, it will latch onto the clarity of those kind of endings. When horses “learn how to learn” they are pulled towards that draw, and it can be instilled throughout the ride. Today, I’m explaining how this can be a powerful training technique.
Show Notes:
[02:43] Think about your training cycle as physical work followed by an emotional cycle.
[04:33] You can get a lot more done when you use cycles, because you are putting the horse through more cycles, and you are taking advantage of the physical and emotional.
[04:46] The first cycle can expend a lot of their energy and then the other cycles won't be as physically demanding.
[05:33] It's a little bit different with an older horse. The emotional cycle will look more like a rest break, because the horse has learned how to take advantage of these cycles.
[06:47] If your horse isn't in a balanced emotional state, it won't take advantage of that break time.
[07:07] When the horse doesn't take advantage of the break, it must be stressed and is asking for guidance.
[08:30] Using the training cycles helps you gather more information about your horse.
[09:11] I often see riders get on and ride and then be done without any clear cycles in between. Try visualizing a heart monitor. Work cycles need to have ups and downs daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.
[10:35] The question to ask is has your training cycle flatlined.
[11:34] If you ride your horse at the same intensity day after day, your training cycle may be flatlined.
Links and Resources:
Episode 25: Is Your Horse Anticipating?
Episode 27: Horses Can ‘Learn how to Learn’
Teaching a Horse to Handle Stress. Episode 4: the Trail to the World Show
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-episode 13-training Cycles in Horse Training: Physical and Emotional
How horses learn and why it matters is an interesting topic that we will be talking about today. Horses are really interesting, because they are excellent at detecting patterns. They look for patterns when they are speaking and communicating with other horses, and if you observe horses in the field, you will see a lot of questions being asked and answered.
When horses learn to communicate with humans, you will see a lot of the same patterns. There will be a lot of questions, answers, and repetition. Once we understand the patterns that our horses our recognizing, we can use these to teach our horses to learn faster.
Show Notes
[02:57] Horses can learn how to learn. When a horse moves up to college level, and this means that they are really good at some advanced stuff.
[05:31] Presto is a great example of a horse that did not learn how to learn early.
[06:17] Justice had more language skills with other horses than Presto.
[07:24] Presto was lacking in natural reactions, but he still picks up on patterns.
[08:00] His interaction with Popcorn really helped him a lot.
[08:43] Now I've noticed that Presto is actually looking for patterns. He starts to ask questions earlier, because he is seeing the patterns.
[09:33] You may see a horse teach a human how to do something.
[10:57] Not all college-level horses have been trained through the method of learning how to learn. Some have been trained to be reactive. These horses don't necessarily enjoy the learning process and will be more reactive or have negative anticipation.
[11:26] Avoidance anticipation is the opposite of learning how to learn.
[11:57] You want your horse to enjoy the learning process not be trained in a way that he wants to avoid learning.
[12:40] There's a disconnect for horses to learn a lot of things in a short amount of time when they are worried about avoiding discomfort.
[13:35] I'm very intentional with paying attention to the patterns that I use when I work with my horses. I'm consciously making decisions to recognize and know what patterns are happening and what the side effects of these patterns are.
[14:01] Pay attention to any patterns you have with your horse. A simple one to pay attention to is feeding time.
Links and Resources:
Introducing Orphan Foals to New Horses
Orphan Foal: Pasture Turn Out With Adult Horses
Episode 25: Is Your Horse Anticipating?
Intentions matter. Today, I’m talking about your intentions when training your horse, and your horses intentions. I’ll talk about what constitutes a good intention and a bad intention and remind you to keep in mind that sometimes your horse is just asking a question in your conversation.
It’s important to be aware of your own intentions when working with your horse. You also need to be aware of what your horses intentions actually are. Are you teaching your horse that it’s ok to step towards you? Are you accidently allowing your horse to act more dominant? Being aware of your intentions and your horses intentions is important. It’s actually very freeing once you understand that intentions matter.
Show Notes
[02:02] At some recent clinics, I've had some horses experimenting with bad intentions. When you have a horse who truly means to dominate that is a bad intention.
[02:23] He could also have a bad intention when he attacks another horse. Instead of using good or bad, we can also say healthy or unhealthy. For Simplicity, I'm going to use good and bad.
[02:48] If you had a really aggressive stallion who wanted to dominate you, we would label that as bad intentions.
[03:08] On the other extreme, we have horses that are sweet and easy to get along with.
[03:10] But there are a lot of horses between those two extremes.
[03:27] When people are backing away from their horse, sometimes the horse will step boldly towards them. When a horse does this they could be asking a question that the handler doesn't recognize. The horses intentions could shift from boldly stepping with confidence to boldly coming towards them to dominate.
[05:01] I've seen horses that aren't normally dominant stumble onto the fact that the handler is kind of awkward with the tools.
[06:07] This will perfectly fit into a place for a horse to move a human and that's where we're going to label this a bad intention.
[07:06] Intention matters. When I'm watching people and horses, I'm watching whether the horse intended to move the person or if it was an accident.
[07:37] If you suspect your horse is trying to control you, those are things you need to look out for. You may even want to set up a video to see what is going on.
[08:27] Oftentimes horses have good intentions. They may be trying something new and just be making a mistake. How you handle a horse with good intentions matters.
[10:11] If your horse is swearing at you, that is one of the clearest indications that his intentions aren't good.
[11:24] A lot of times people who come to the clinics are concerned that they are asking too much of their horse. Very rarely this is the case.
[11:50] Most people who are worried about over-correcting are usually the people who aren't doing enough.
[12:05] A lot of people are worried about abusing their horse.
[14:15] The person who's worried about overdoing it is likely the one who isn't overdoing it.
[14:28] It's very freeing to know that my intentions matter and that my horses intentions matter.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall YouTube
Anticipation is one of those ideas that is a double-edged sword. Is it a friend or Foe? At first glance, people think of anticipation as negative, I think it might be more positive to think of it as something we can balance on the teeter-totter. Sometimes, I call it trying too hard.
I want to help you guys think out of the box and not label things in a negative way. When we label anticipation as trying too hard, keep in mind that sometimes the horse will try too hard in ways we want and sometimes in ways we don't want. Either way, you need to recognize that we use anticipation as a training tool in horse training, and that is what this episode is all about.
Show Notes
[02:36] We want the horse to anticipate.
[03:47] In training. after a certain amount of repetition the horse will see a pattern.
[04:11] Anticipation is your friend when it helps in training.
[04:41] There is an arc of anticipation, just like in the bell curve. It starts out as a friend, but a point comes when it can be our enemy.
[04:58] If we don't like the anticipation, we label it as negative.
[07:55] I had been teaching Jac a way of thinking for 50 hours. It involved the use of anticipation as friend. You can actually see Jac remembering what we ended on and trying it.
[09:10] Often times patterns are put into horses by the rider. Switching things can change the anticipation.
[10:08] Horses can anticipate cues, and the rider backs off and the horse becomes more sensitive.
[11:31] Horses will sometimes try too hard and help you out, and the rider gets frustrated.
[12:27] If you can start seeing things from the horse's point of view, he sees a pattern and is just trying to help you out.
[12:38] The first thing you need to see is that the horse is actually trying too hard not trying to be bad.
[13:01] You don't want to get in an anticipation cycle with your horse. Realize when it is a problem for you.
[14:40] Go back in your mind to a time when you recognize anticipation happening. Work out from the horses point of view what he was trying to get to.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall YouTube
Stacy's Video Diary:Jac- Episode 26-Horse training is a conversation between horse and human
This podcast is in response to a listener question. She asks, “what do you mean by a creative horse?” This is a great topic as we continue our season on the horses mind.
I’m very specific when I describe horses. I may say a horse has questions. or a horse is creative.
I don’t want to describe a horse in a way that will pass judgement such as calling it a problem horse. A creative horse can be a horse that would traditionally be described as a problem horse, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Show Notes
[03:16] Imagine you are a teacher asking questions. You will see a pattern in answers, but there might be some different answers from creative thinkers or people who see the question from a different angle.
[04:19] Trainers typically get the same answers from a horse. If a horse does something unusual, that's creative.
[06:28] I've been consistently using creative as a problem horse. Yet, I want to encourage creativity in my horses, just not misbehavior.
[10:54] Stacy shares how Presto used creativity to get a large equine ball under his belly.
[12:43] It's important to let the horses be created because that is where their brilliance is found.
[12:51] When you see a horse do something amazing, it means someone has allowed the horse to express their own brilliance.
[13:31] I teach horses to roll blue activity balls. They usually use their nose or their feet.
[15:16] Popcorn wants to be a kicker, but he holds the ball with his chin and knees, so no one can steal it.
[16:43] When you're watching your horse, ask how is he creative.
Links and Resources:
Why riders often experience fear, frustration, confusion with their horse.
Clever Horse Does Something Amazing - Removes Electric Fence Hooks
Episode 23: Your Horse Has Questions
I’m explaining something that was a game-changer for me and my horse. When I share this topic with people at clinics, I see an instant change in them and their horse. Did you know that your horse is always asking you questions? Watching horses in the wild, you see them ask each other questions about leadership. They also do the same thing with you.
The good news is that once you understand that a change in your horses body language is him asking you a questions, you can answer those questions and even have conversations with your horse. Horses questions progress with their training levels, and this is where things really begin to get fun.
Show Notes
[01:28] Your horse asks you questions with body language. The questions can look like things like a break of gait, diving in, pulling out, or reversing direction.
[01:43] A lot of questions are happening when the horses are doing different things with their bodies.
[01:54] Around the age of four, children ask about 73 questions a day.
[02:07] Horses also ask a lot of questions, and it can feel overwhelming to people.
[03:42] Sometimes people think after training, horses aren't going to have any questions, but they do.
[04:18] Keep in mind that the quality of your horses questions change as the training level changes.
[04:32] Number one: Your horse is going to ask questions about leadership.
[04:40] Number two: These questions will reveal his temperament.
[04:48] Number three: The questions he asks are going to reveal his training level.
[05:25] When a horse offers to bite you, it's asking the question of what if I bite you.
[06:22] Their questions also reveal a lot about their temperament.
[08:23] Think about horse training as a bell curve. Put elementary school on one side and college on the other. It's like climbing a mountain.
[09:26] Questions in the beginning will be more challenging. Somewhere along the line when things get more advanced, your horses become really fun.
[14:17] Playing a game of hot or colder requires you and the horse to have a conversation.
[15:46] The coolest things happen when you and the horse are having a conversation.
[16:22] Instead of everybody feeling like it's right or wrong or good or bad, it's just a conversation. Things get so fun when you and the horse have this type of awareness in your bodies.
[17:13] In the beginning, horses will have big questions that you need to have big answers to.
[17:44] Any areas that you don't have answers for will be the areas your horse has the most questions about.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall YouTube
Welcome to season 3 where we are going to talk about the horses mind. There are two things I'm going to talk about today. The first one is that you might just be underestimating your horse. The second thing I'm going to talk about is moving beyond the prey predator model.
Do you think you underestimate your horses mental capabilities? As a kid, I remember people talking about horses mental abilities in a limiting way. The more I understand horses, the more amazed I am at how much they understand. I explore this and the prey predator model in this episode.
Show Notes
[02:51] I think we underestimate horses, because someone else told us that their mental capability might be limited.
[03:12] The more I understand horses, the more I'm amazed at how much they actually do understand.
[03:29] Last weekend, I had Willow at a dressage show. I noticed a judge comment that said use more seat and less hand.
[04:43] Willow remembered something that I didn't, and we came to a sliding stop.
[06:03] Don't confuse underestimating your horse with failing your horse.
[06:54] People might underestimate their horses because someone told them to. They may also want to think their horses need more care like a small child.
[07:31] Sometimes people may underestimate their horses, so they don't have to step up their training and learn more complex ideas.
[08:07] The idea of prey versus predator. I believe horses can move beyond the prey predator model.
[09:09] Part of my training with horses is taking them up through an educational system that goes from kindergarten up through college.
[09:23] The goal is to move them away from the highly reactive state of mind that we could label prey predator.
[10:26] My job as a horse trainer is to take a horse beyond prey predator, but I have to believe that they are capable of going beyond that.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall YouTube
Episode 8: Failure vs Disappointment Surrounding Horses and Riders
It’s time to wrap up season two on the rider’s body. I covered a lot of ground on the last two seasons. We talked about the rider's mind and the rider's body. I'm even more excited about the next two seasons which are all about the horse. I play a preview of some of the questions I’ll be answering and share how you can ask your questions.
The riders body is consistently the weakest link that I see out of the four different areas of the rider's mind, the rider's body, the horse's mind, and the horse's body.
Show Notes
[01:26] We are all super excited to talk about horses in the next two seasons.
[01:41] A rider can change their mind in an instant. They can listen to a podcast or read an article and instantly change a belief that they've held for a long time.
[02:07] Your body takes work and a ton of commitment. As you age, you can feel your body changing. Exercise will pay you back a thousand fold in every area of your life.
[02:30] I use horses for my motivational area, because I love to ride. But it’s awesome to feel better in other areas of your life. It's just more enjoyable.
[02:55] Riding is not a balance, strength, and flexibility training. Strength and flexibility is exactly what we want in our horses. It's what we need in ourselves.
[03:18] When training in dressage, I can feel my old muscle memory conflicting with my new muscle memory.
[03:57] I'm not interested in losing my old muscle memory and skill, I'm just interested in adding to it.
[04:23] Adding layers of muscle memory is something that we're going to talk about in the future.
[04:32] There's a difference between consuming and applying things in your life. I'm honored that you're listening to this podcast. However, it's consuming.
[05:09] You'll know you've applied something that you learn to your mind when people notice a difference in what you're doing.
[05:53] Decide to do something everyday to improve. If you felt resistance to that keep in mind it only has to be 10 or 15 minutes.
[07:22] If you dedicate to doing something that will take you in the direction you want to go, even for 10 or 15 minutes a day, you will be amazed at how good it feels.
[07:54] The next season is all about the horses mind and I share some of the questions that I’ll be addressing.
[08:39] If you have any questions about your horse, please call in and maybe I can answer it on one of the upcoming episodes.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall YouTube
Riders will need to use different riding aids differently as a horse progresses through the different grade levels. In episode 6, I compared the horses progression to the progression of kindergarten, grade school, high school, and college. As the horse and rider progresses, the use of different aids is layered on.
We always start with the basics. If the basics aren’t down, it’s a good idea to go back and reinforce those cues before moving on. In this episode, I talk about what a horse would learn in my training program starting with groundwork and emotional control before advancing up the grades.
Show Notes
[01:15] Things a horse would learn in my training program.
[01:17] I would begin with groundwork and emotional control.
[01:31] I will start riding my three-year-old Presto in about a month or so. Before riding I do a lot of groundwork and emotional control stuff.
[01:53] When I first get on and ride, I'll keep it very simple.
[02:57] When I'm not riding the horse, the lunge whip would be in place of my legs.
[03:18] When riding, the leg cues will be simple, and I'll use an inside rein. I'll spend more time in arcs of circles, because I don't want to get into wobbly lines.
[04:29] I can add more gas pedal with my legs.
[04:55] After about thirty days, he'll understand how I've connected the reins to his shoulders.
[05:10] Left rein means go left, right rein means go right, legs mean go forward.
[05:14] To stop, I'll bend him and bring him around to a stop.
[05:26] On the next level, I'll start to build the bridge where he'll learn to follow the right rein out.
[06:01] Then we'll move to more advanced things.
[06:57] Once he learns to follow the inside rein and the outside rein, I'll exaggerate both.
[09:54] Counter bend improves control of the shoulders. Horses don't always follow their head, they do always follow their shoulder.
[10:34] This improves the level of control that we'll need when moving up to higher levels like on a lead change.
[10:47] It's important that your legs are being used evenly as a gas pedal.
[12:19] If your left leg is the only way you can drive the horse to the right, you'll get stuck on lead changes.
[14:09] It's important to independently control the shoulders with your hands and the hips with your legs.
[14:16] A lot of people get confused, because the stages before this and after this are slightly different.
[15:10] Conflicting aids can happen when the rider doesn't understand what to do when a horse doesn't respond to a request.
[16:43] It's conflicting if the aid causes a misshapen misalignment of the horse.
[18:08] You can't move on until you get the horse to respond to the basic aids.
[18:36] Keep it clean and simple with a younger horse.
[18:54] You can go back to the basics and clarify things before moving on to more advanced stuff.
[19:45] Going back to the basics is not a sign of weakness or failure. It's where the foundation is.
Links and Resources:
Episode 6: The horse’s path of learning is NOT the same as the rider
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac
When being a balanced rider, you have aids that can assist you. These include your right hand, left hand, right leg, and left leg. Today, I’m talking about these rider's aids. Do you know which one of your aids is the weakest? Do you know which one of your aides you are over using?
Last week, I talked about the rider's aids and the rider's willingness to use those aids. When you understand how to become effective using all four of these aids, you will become a more balanced rider. Today, we will be talking about using aids when riding in a circle because it requires more balance and more navigation on your part.
Show Notes
[02:43] Picture yourself riding your horse in a circle to the left, but not in a round pen.
[04:09] You have four choices of aids. The inside rein is the most common aid. The other would be the outside leg.
[04:41] The two weakest are the outside rein and the inside leg.
[06:17] We need to keep the bend to the right, but keep the horse going left.
[08:33] You need to use a combination of aids.
[09:07] Imagine riding the 50 foot circle, and the horse is bending to the inside just enough to shape it. Think about which aids you would be using a lot more or lot less.
[10:06] Riders tend to use their inside rein a lot. If you allow a bend change the outside rein becomes the inside rein.
[11:03] The inside rein tends to be the strongest aid and the outside leg is the second strongest aid. Then the outside rein and the inside leg.
[11:34] It can be really eye-opening to do this exercise.
[12:05] One aid could be doing more than it should or be out of balance.
[13:16] The training level of your horse also matters with how you are going to use your aids.
[13:44] Even if the plan is to use both legs evenly, you still need to question whether you are doing it or not.
[13:43] The awareness cycle is constantly happening.
[14:08] It's fascinating to double-check how in balance and aware you are of the four aids as you are using them.
[15:02] If you do a lot of trail riding it's difficult to figure out if you're using one aid weaker or stronger, because it's very common to switch the bend when you're heading straight down the trail.
[15:45] You don't establish an inside leg and an outside rein when riding straight.
[15:56] Find a flat spot and try the circle exercise. The weakest aid is usually the one your horses going out through. Sometimes horses point towards your weakest aid because they are taking advantage of it.
[17:04] An advanced rider can ride a 50 foot circle, and then lighten an aid and see what happens.
[18:00] In dressage terms we are looking for something called self carriage. Bridleless riding is also in this category.
[18:37] Ride around and lighten each aid for a count of four and see what happens. If you notice a big difference that may be the aid that you are overusing. The opposite one may be the weakest.
Links and Resources:
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 17- Colt starting: Ground (line) driving and dressage whip training
Today, I’m talking about how the rider's mind and the rider's body are both equally required for improvement. I'll be talking about balancing your aids and your mindset. A listener asks about allowing something to flow and making something happen.
This is all about balancing. You need to have a mindset where you can back up the requests you make. I explore this topic with listener emails, my own experience, and what I’ve observed watching horses and people.
Show Notes
[00:49] A listener email: James asks about the catch between allowing something to flow and making something happen.
[01:21] The rider needs to be able to make a request followed by a willingness and an ability to back it up.
[01:46] Think of a teeter totter and the balancing point in the middle of it.
[02:09] The mental part is the willingness to make the request. The ability to back it up is what we are physically required to do.
[02:18] Four different aids that we talk about a lot. These include the rider's hands, legs, seat, and voice.
[02:39] The hands are the first thing people think about using to control the horse. The second is the legs.
[02:51] The seat and the voice fall into the category of a please. The hands and legs have a way to backup the request.
[04:28] When you can add pressure you can also add release.
[04:54] Most riders are willing to make a request, but it gets a little fuzzy when it comes time to back it up.
[05:15] Stacy shares listener emails. Also, have your horse checked out by a vet if there are issues.
[06:39] Horses sometimes draw a line of what they are willing to do.
[08:30] Stacy shares varying degrees of pressure with her legs as backup queues after requests.
[09:18] People are afraid to hold horses accountable when there's a physical aspect to the training.
[09:56] When horses communicate with each other they make a request and have a willingness to back those requests up.
[11:02] Pressure can feel firm without feeling like punishment.
[12:42] Horses have different tolerance levels and that can create tension when riders make requests and the horses don't willingly follow it.
[13:46] Part of balancing your aids is you mentally accepting that the aids are okay and that you're willing to use them.
[14:10] The horse will figure it out if it bothers you to use your hands or legs.
[14:52] The tension in your mind can affect how you use your hands or legs. Hands can be used fast or slow or light or firm.
[16:08] People struggle with how firm or fast or slow they should use their hands.
[16:57] A lot of horses won't pay attention to a really light request.
[17:24] Reflect back on the idea of what you think is changing how you ride.
[17:49] The middle of the teeter-totter feels like allowing something to flow. If necessary, I step in and make things happen.
[18:15] I started this podcast because I really have a desire to help people understand what's going on with their horses.
[18:21] I never promised that it would be easy to execute.
[18:47] The mindset you have towards using your aids or hands and legs is the key to going forward.
Links and Resources:
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 17- Colt starting: Ground (line) driving and dressage whip training
Today, I’m talking about active and passive riding. Do you know if you are doing too much or not enough when riding? A rider who doesn’t know how to ride may be in a defensive position and not doing enough. A rider using all available aids may be doing too much and making the horse unhappy.
In this episode, I talk about these concepts and finding the neutral middle ground using active tension. I also talk about finding your seat and independent movement from the horse.
Show Notes
[00:40] Are you an active or a passive rider? Are you doing too much or not enough?
[01:07] Imagine a teeter totter with too much on one side and not enough on the other. The middle is the neutral position or a non-disturbing connection.
[01:34] Connection is hidden inside the active and passive rider conversation.
[02:13] When it comes to connection, we can also be doing too much or not enough.
[02:47] A rider who doesn't know how to ride will not be doing enough.
[03:31] Another extreme would be a rider doing too much and using all of the aids all of the time, so the horse does not feel a release.
[04:06] A sign of this could be the horse looking very unhappy.
[04:51] The reason I want you to think about how active or passive you are when riding is because you have to have a version of positive tension to get to the neutral position.
[06:40] When doing riding exercises, we need to be able to return to a neutral state.
[09:39] A full release doesn't have to be that we take away all of the aids from the horse because then we would take away all of their support and communication.
[09:56] If we end up too far on the other side of the teeter-totter, we interfere with the horse.
[10:25] In a free walk, a horse is supposed to be marching forward. You really have to pay attention to your aid to ride this maneuver.
[11:55] You have to go back and forth between active and neutral and adjust the pressure in your legs and put the intention in your body.
[12:49] My mom and I used to ride bareback trail riding. When I started using my western saddle, it would make my knees hurt. I blamed it on the saddle, but then I realized this was because I was collapsing on the horse and moving to the passenger side. Riding bareback requires tension.
[14:52] I retrained my body to be more active when I'm trail riding which will intuitively be better for my horses.
[15:23] One of the first things you need to find when you are riding is an independent seat. Try carrying a glass of water or an egg in a spoon and see if you can ride with your hands staying independent of the movement of the horse.
Links and Resources:
How Clear Intention Leads to Clear Aids and Prompt Results
Today, I share my experience of three different riding styles. People often ask me if I ride Western or English. I actually ride and compete in Western, English, and bareback. I first learned to ride Western. Then I moved on to bareback, because I was too small to put the saddle on my pony.
I dreamt of getting an English saddle like the ones I saw on TV. I got one for Christmas, and then I was doing it all. I have a lot of experience competing bareback and Western. I'm also taking dressage lessons. Today, I’ll be exploring the differences between these three styles of riding and how these saddles or lack of saddle affect the rider.
Show Notes
[04:07] I have competed in all three types of events with my horse Popcorn.
[04:41] Riding is the art of keeping a horse between you and the ground.
[04:58] This year I'm going to compete in Western dressage and traditional dressage. Either way, I'm putting emphasis on dressage this year.
[06:13] I have at least three different seats when I ride a horse my Western seat, my dressage seat, and my bareback seat.
[06:55] I grew up riding mostly bareback. Bareback naturally encourages you to get into a rhythm with the horse.
[07:42] A saddle is something between you and the horse.
[08:20] As people relax on a horse, bareback encourages them to lengthen their legs.
[09:02] It's better to think of balancing and sitting deeper on the horse and extending your legs.
[10:27] I enjoy trail riding bareback.
[11:19] A horse isn't going to be perfectly balanced when learning new maneuvers. This is where a saddle comes in handy.
[12:33] When working on refinement, I don't want to lose my balance and clamp my leg on the side of the horse.
[13:31] Riding Western. There are so many different saddle choices. There are also choices in the way the stirrup hangs.
[15:13] If you are aware of where your saddle wants to put you, you will know whether you are fighting your equipment or have a weakness in your legs.
[16:29] The western saddle comes with a lot of great benefits like the saddle horn and a more stable feeling leg.
[17:05] There's so many different styles of English saddles. There is a thin stirrup leather that is easy to move. The English saddle is kind of a halfway between the Western saddle and riding bareback.
[18:32] It takes awhile for my muscle memory to remember that the stirrup leather will move much more easily than with the Western saddle.
[19:33] People often ask if it's harder to stay on the English saddle. Your seat and balance determine staying on top of the horse more than your saddle does.
[20:04] My dressage saddle feels as secure as my Western saddle.
[21:06] With an English saddle, grabbing the front of the saddle feels like pulling yourself down into the saddle.
[21:52] When you're working towards becoming a better rider, it's all about stretching yourself out of your comfort zone. Getting out of your comfort zone becomes a power.
[22:12] Each saddle has something to offer you.
[22:27] Practice dropping the stirrups on your Western saddle to begin learning bareback.
[23:31] A well-balanced rider is best for the horse regardless of saddle type.
[24:20] Saddle fit is a big subject and finding a saddle to fit the horse and the rider can be complicated.
[26:50] Whenever experimenting with changes, make sure that you do it with a horse that you trust or take a riding lesson.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall Championship Bareback & Bridleless Freestyle Reining with Roxy
Popcorn and Stacy Westfall Mounted Shooting
The Stagecoach West: Horse Tack & Saddlery
Last week, I talked about how time and repetition will create a feedback loop that you can modify. This week, I'm going to expand on the concept of the feedback loop and share three ways to get riding feedback for continued improvement. There are pros and cons to each method.
You need to weigh out which method is the best for you and which methods you can combine for the best results. The three methods are eyes on the ground, mirrors on the wall, and videotaping. In this episode, I talk about what these are and how to get the most from each method.
Show Notes
[01:44] Eyes on the ground means someone watching you from the ground like a riding instructor.
[03:00] Having higher educated eyes on the ground will change your feedback loop.
[04:37] The pros of having eyes on the ground is getting feedback. Hopefully it's feedback with an educated opinion like from an instructor. Cons include cost and time.
[05:25] Mirrors on the wall. I learned to use mirrors when I was in college. Dressage barns have mirrors up, because they work.
[06:12] This can give you a snapshot of the horses frame and your frame.
[07:31] Mirrors in the arena give you real-time feedback.
[08:09] The pros are instant feedback. The cons are having a location to install the mirrors.
[08:50] The most frequent thing I recommend is video.
[09:48] The pros of video tape is that you can watch it multiple times. The cons are lack of immediate feedback such from a mirror.
[11:20] You don't have to tape for a solid hour. You just need to grab certain moments.
[13:00] Pixio is a recorder where the camera will follow you around.
[13:44] I mix it up, because I like to do all three.
[14:28] Horses are always giving you feedback. When you can feel what is happening you have the ultimate feedback loop.
[15:50] Even videotaping 5 minutes a month, you will be able to see Improvement.
[16:09] To really make progress, videotape once a week. What you're trying to do is improve your ability to read the horse's body language and feel the feedback. When you can feel what's happening with the horse's body language, you have the ultimate feedback loop.
Links and Resources:
PIxio Move N See Personal Auto-Follow System
This week we are talking about muscle memory. I'm going to share my two different views on muscle memory and one way that you can fast-forward you're learning. Last week, I talked about muscle memory being different than your strength or fitness level.
I think people get confused about these concepts because, in the beginning, they both come together. When you are learning to ride a horse, you develop new muscles and new skills. In this episode, I am focusing on the muscle memory side of learning to ride.
Show Notes
[01:28] Muscle memory is a type of habit. An example of this would be when we learn to write.
[02:23] Repetition and putting enough time into riding is what's needed to form this type of muscle memory.
[03:01] You need to put in the time and the repetitions in order to create a feedback loop. Once you create a feedback loop, then you have something that you can modify.
[03:38] Repetition helps when you're trying to learn how to refine, hone, or sharpen a skill.
[04:07] A lot of riders are uncomfortable with asking the horses for a lot of repetition.
[06:26] Time plus repetition will create a feedback loop that you can modify.
[06:52] Experience muscle memory (where you feel something) is important because it will enable you to fast forward your learning with horses.
[08:10] Riding well trained horses can help with this.
[09:17] By riding a well-trained horse, you get a longer opportunity to feel the muscle memory when a horse does a maneuver correctly.
[10:36] When you know what it feels like in your body, you will better be able to reward a green horse when they do a correct maneuver briefly.
[10:49] I would be willing to pay more for a lesson on a well-trained horse.
[11:37] Training on a well-trained horse will help you have the awareness in your body to fast forward the training of your own personal horses.
[11:46] Embrace the idea of repetition.
[12:28] If you are taking lessons, ask to take a lesson on a well-trained horse.
[12:49] Just one lesson on a well-trained horse can put some really cool feelings into your body that will make it easier for you to translate that and transfer it over to your own horse.
Links and Resources:
Muscle Memory
Today, I'm talking about strength vs muscle memory as I continue season 2 which focuses on the rider's body. I will also be giving you my time saving tip for making time to work out. Have you noticed how it's easier for naturally athletic people to jump from sport to sport?
I've noticed this, because I'm not a naturally athletic person. This means that I have had to put in a lot of riding hours. My passion for horses was the thing that kept me going. In this episode, I focus on getting stronger and more flexible and why it is important.
Show Notes
[04:34] I'm going to talk about muscle memory next week. For now, let's focus on being stronger and more flexible.
[06:04] Charlotte Dujardin had to get an exercise coach to gain the strength for the powerful riding maneuvers she did.
[06:07] When I'm a stronger rider, things are easier for my horse. I can be better balanced when I'm riding a colt.
[07:29] When I was younger, I didn't see the need to focus on being a stronger rider. As I aged, I started experimenting with different ways to improve things.
[08:03] I have experimented with improving balance even to the point of trying a unicycle. This wasn't a good idea.
[09:05] I did start eating dinner while sitting on a blue equine ball. I discovered that I lift my feet off the ground I could see which direction I naturally tended to lean.
[10:34] I can't say enough good things about yoga. I've also worked in strength training and running.
[11:39] I used the Couch to 5K app. I have been much more intentional this year about working exercise into my life.
[12:50] I have been experimenting with a routine where I rotate strength training, yoga, and running. It's amazing what you can do in 30 minutes a day.
[13:16] If you're not fit, it will have an effect on your horse.
[13:44] I was forced to be an active rider when riding bareback during trail riding.
[14:01] I was a lazy rider when I road trails using a saddle.
[14:37] My bad habits of being a lazy trail rider came back in my body when my knees began to hurt.
[15:30] There is a lot of strength that is needed with riding. It takes a lot of strength and flexibility.
[16:40] A strong and flexible rider should train outside of riding, because you don't want to neglect the opposing muscles.
[18:24] My time saving tip for finding time to exercise is using your horse to motivate yourself to workout. Your horse will think it's super cool when watching you do all of the work with jumping jacks and lunges.
[20:50] A lot of the trails near my house have water crossings, so I'll jog then ride my horse over the water and then jog again.
[21:45] On days when I can't ride, I can work out and still know that I am improving my writing. This helps me stay motivated.
[22:01] Join me in becoming a stronger rider in 2019 with #EquineCross.
Links and Resources:
Charlotte Dujardin's World Record Breaking Freestyle test at London Olympia
Yoga DVD
Couch to 5K® - Run training
#EquineCrossFit
In this season, I am focusing on the rider's body. In this episode, I'll be discussing four different aspects of danger including is horseback riding dangerous, how can we manage the risk, the main mistake I see rider’s make, and exercises for improvement.
Show Notes
[02:01] We all know that horse riding can be dangerous.
[02:33] Driving in cars is also dangerous, and it's something people do everyday.
[03:15] We realize there is risk, and we realize that we can do some things to reduce that risk.
[03:43] A horse without training can be like a car with a failing brake system.
[04:06] What creates danger? A rider that lacks training or a horse that lacks training are the two things where we can control the risk level.
[05:40] The way we can manage risk when riding is to physically hard wire a response into our bodies and our horse's body.
[06:08] Our physical ability changes as we age. This changes how we have to think about and plan about hardwiring a response.
[07:05] I've taught people how to do an emergency dismounts and emergency stop and dismounts.
[08:31] You don't have to wait until you're in the middle of an emergency to practice things like emergency dismounts if you hard wire them into your body.
[09:43] It's good for you and your horse to practice mounting and dismounting from both sides.
[10:24] Having these tactics hardwired into your body gives you a level of confidence if an emergency does happen.
[10:54] Mistakes people often make is not practicing the emergency stop and dismount or practicing too much and not moving forward.
[12:26] It's a trend for people to learn to rely on the one rein stop. This is like using an emergency brake for your main braking system. Not practicing for emergencies at all is an equal problem.
[13:32] There is also a mental component to this. You need to have multiple ways to stop your horse. Finding the balance is really important.
[15:03] Switching the rider isn't going to fix the problem of a horse that isn't hardwired for a safe response.
[15:23] I don't have to think about how to grab the saddle horn when riding.
[16:05] I don't have to think about which direction I would take the horse's head if I needed to bend the horse around.
[17:01] The third thing is a little more broad, it's basically to move your expectations higher.
[17:44] Ask yourself if you can smoothly stop and get off quickly. If not, you need to evaluate if there is something you can change.
[18:12] What can you control that would make things better?
[18:30] Take your horse to the next level and move up to high school.
[18:45] If you are struggling with fears, write down your fears and determine which one points towards physical danger. Then make a plan and practice it.
Links and Resources:
Episode 1: Fear vs Danger: Riders can improve if they know the difference
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 1-First Day-Part 1-Evaluating Jac
In this Q & A episode, I am going to cover evaluating a new horse, overcoming loss of confidence and desire, and how to overcome the limiting belief that horses hate being ridden.
Show Notes
[01:13] Question one is from Leann in Canada. She asks my perspective about acquiring a new horse and how to best assess which phase the horse is in and what needs to be done to bring the horse to a new level of understanding?
[01:58] I keep two things in mind at all times when evaluating a horse. Number one is who are they, and number two is what training level are they at?
[02:21] Looking at who a horse is at its core is how it interacts with other horses and with the herd. Patterns will also develop.
[04:15] It's almost easier to get a naturally timid horse to follow a strong leader because that horse actually needs a strong leader.
[05:31] There is a way that the horses are at their core.
[05:46] Training can accentuate or mask certain habits.
[07:01] I'm always evaluating who the horses are and what their training level is.
[09:20] I'm constantly training and then testing. During early training, the horse may not know the answer to my test or pop quizzes. The test is to find out what the horse knows.
[10:05] When I get to the horse's mind and the horse's body series, I'm going to talk about what grade school, high school, and college-level mean for the horse.
[10:53] Because I train my horses from start to finish, I have all of the levels very clearly in my mind.
[12:24] In the series on Stacy's Video Diary, you see Jac go from kindergarten to high school but not into college.
[13:42] The second question is from a 62-year-old woman who lost her Mare. She also lost her will to ride. She bought a new horse, but she has lost so much of her confidence and riding ability. She wants to show her new horse. How can she get her confidence back?
[15:10] I had a similar experience of losing a horse. Confidence, ability, and desire are the three things that stand out to me when I listen to your question.
[15:38] In 2012, I lost my horse, Vaquero. It really affected me, and I didn't do much for the next two years.
[17:03] One of the reasons I had trouble moving on was because I was stuck on some of the things that I didn't accomplish with Vaquero.
[18:06] It felt like I was living between two worlds.
[18:51] Confidence is the state of feeling certain. Your world can be shaken with the loss of a horse.
[19:28] I also began to drag my feet, because I knew how much time it would take to create my next masterpiece of a horse.
[20:03] You need to reflect on what feeling certain means to you and how you can become more certain.
[20:41] For me, I needed to separate the desires I had for Vaquero with the next horse to come.
[21:48] Is your desire for you to be seen with a one-in-a-million horse or is it a desire for you to accomplish something with this horse?
[22:40] Get clear on what your desire is.
[23:14] If you're going to acquire the ability to do something, it's going to take practice and riding is a physical sport.
[24:46] Ability is tied to confidence and a feeling of being certain. Journaling could be helpful. Give yourself permission to miss your mare and move on.
[25:37] Our final question is from France. Sophie believes that horses hate being ridden. She loves her mare and wants her to be happy. Because she believes the mare doesn't enjoy being ridden, she doesn't take pleasure in riding the horse.
[27:12] Everyone draws their own lines about what they believe. You have drawn your line between mounted and unmounted.
[28:15] I would challenge you to move your line backward and see how you came across this line between riding and not riding.
[28:58] Would you accept if your horse wasn't happy standing for the farrier? Find what you are willing to do that the horse may not be happy with.
[29:50] Take a piece of paper and write down everything horses could possibly hate about being ridden. Break it down into very specific things.
[31:22] Challenge your belief by exposing yourself to people with different beliefs and looking at your own life.
[32:27] Do you believe discomfort can be for your benefit? If I believe discomfort is good for my own body, I can naturally transfer that over to my horse and say that some discomfort is good for them.
[34:16] Explore other words that might be triggering you like the difference between confidence and insecurities or learning versus ignorance. Other examples are board versus stimulated and mature versus immature.
[35:59] Use treats and rewards.
[38:01] Some horses enjoy work more than others the same way some people enjoy work more than others.
[38:53] Horses have temperament differences. Take all the evidence of everything your horse hates and look on the internet and find evidence that contradicts each of these pieces of evidence.
[40:38] Keep in mind that you become who you hang out with.
[41:37] My job with my horses is to keep them healthy, safe, and equip them for the world they live in.
[42:59] Thanks for all of the comments and feedback. I listen to and read them all.
Links and Resources:
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 1-First Day-Part 1-Evaluating Jac
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac-Episode 2-First Day-Part 2-Evaluating Jac
Stacy's Video Diary: Jac- Episode 3-Second Day, Part 1- Jac Evaluates Stacy
Today, I discuss why riders should make mistakes. I'm going to break it down into three different things. Why you should make mistakes. Which mistake you should really try to avoid. And how to measure the direction of your mistakes.
During my clinics, I often tell riders that they should make mistakes in the right direction. This implies that it is okay to make mistakes, and there is some kind of way to measure the mistakes that you are making and how that's working out for you. Listen on to learn how to make your mistakes work for you.
Show Notes
[02:14] It's easier to get started if you free yourself up to the idea that it's okay to make mistakes. The biggest key is being able to get started and not hold yourself back in some way.
[02:39] When I see riders tense up at mistakes it makes me think of training a horse. I know when my horse makes a mistake I'm not going to criticize or judge.
[04:45] When you're out in the barn riding you need to be your own coach, and you will find that laughter brings more power than criticism.
[05:03] A mistake you need to avoid is one that risks your safety or your horses safety.
[06:13] As your training your horses you need to be able to measure the trend that your directions are headed.
[06:35] Take 30 days to look over the trends.
[07:07] There are three different options that come up when you look at Trends. Number one is trending down. Number two is staying the same or flat-lining. Number three is trending up.
[07:57] I make mistakes on purpose when teaching the horses how to change leads.
[08:21] I started asking Gabby for lead changes before I had full control.
[09:07] I'm teaching myself and my horses that mistakes are okay.
[10:45] The problem with waiting until perfect is the horse actually thinks they're doing something wrong when trying a new lead change.
[11:27] Realize that you'll need some sort of consistency or you won't be able to measure the trend.
[11:44] Get motivated to get into some kind of rhythm. Try working the horses three days a week.
[12:29] Use video to review and compare the trends.
[13:34] The more details of a ride you can feel, the more you will know what's not working.
Links and Resources:
12 hours at a horse show with Stacy Westfall and Newt
Horse spontaneously stands on box, but why?
Issues that affect the way a rider thinks has been the topic for this podcast season. This episode is about something that you should spend some time contemplating when you are at home sitting on the couch. If you do, it will change the way you ride.
This topic is pressure. How do you react when you hear me say pressure? What flashes in your mind? What do you picture when I say pressure and horse? Understanding that a horse doesn’t feel pressure the way that you do, and the right pressure will allow your horse to learn and grow, can make you a better rider.
Show Notes
[03:37] My first podcast episode is set to a video of horses playing on YouTube. When you watch the horses play, you are watching an entire game of pressure.
[03:58] Horses aren't afraid of pressure. A lot of riders try to create a pressure free world for their horses, but it isn't real.
[04:39] A pressure-free world isn't a realistic view of our lives or of the horse's life.
[05:07] If you watch horses in the wild, there is pressure from other horses. There is also external pressure from the environment.
[05:54] To build muscle, we need a form of resistance or pressure.
[06:11] I propose that it is a form of pressure that builds a horse's mind.
[06:19] Applying pressure on can break down a horse mentally.
[06:30] By avoiding pressure the horse becomes weaker.
[07:13] Denny Emerson of Tamarack Hill Farm talks about pressure and how it depends on context.
[09:33] My bareback bridleless ride with Roxy was not created without pressure.
Pressure as a theory is not just a theory for people. It can become a theory and principle for horses.
[10:15] Roxy understood that the pressure wasn't something to run from.
[10:39] We can also teach the horse by holding contact with the reins.
[11:01] You can teach the horse that training isn't a scary thing, but before that happens you have to believe it in your mind.
[11:14] A simple, but not easy exercise. Take the slack out of the reins and find the rhythm of the horse's head as it walks.
[11:36] When a horse walks their head moves up and down or slightly forward and back.
[12:17] Following the horse's head with your hand makes you easy to hold hands with.
[12:49] If you have a tenseness about the idea of contact in your mind, you won't have a good result.
[13:18] Both people and horses need to understand pressure in order to learn things.
[14:20] To advance in life, you need to be able to understand and handle degrees of pressure.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall on YouTube
Tamarack Hill Farm
Stacy Westfall Championship Bareback & Bridleless Freestyle Reining with Roxy
Top 5 - Valegro & Charlotte Dujardin
I get a lot of emails and comments from people who are afraid that they are giving their horse the wrong cues. They are afraid they will fail their horse by not keeping their commitment to riding. They are concerned about reading their horses body language wrong. They fear doing the wrong thing. They feel like they are letting their horse down.
When I read these, I wonder where your failure line is. In my mind, I have a line drawn that is where I would consider would be failing my horse. Don't leave failing your horse as a vague idea. Consciously decide where that line is drawn. In this episode, I share my clearly-defined failure lines with you, I'll be discussing failure lines and disappointment lines, because it is important to separate these in your mind.
Show Notes
[02:38] I would be failing my horses if they didn't have adequate food, shelter, and a basic level of health and enjoyment. This is where I define my failure line.
[02:58] They need access to clean water, safe hay, and enough nutrients that their body scores around 5. They also get their hooves trimmed regularly, dewormed regularly, and a vet called in an emergency.
[03:24] If I couldn't provide these things, I would be failing my horse. I do absolutely aim to go above this line.
[03:44] My horses see a dentist regularly, have massages, sometimes they have chiropractic work, and some wear blankets.
[04:27] There is a difference between my disappointment line and my failure line. I could be disappointed in the quality of the hay but as long as it's safe, it should be okay.
[04:43] This also gives me the freedom to treat horses more like individuals and give them the individual care they need.
[05:17] The basic failure line for training is that the horse has a fundamental understanding so that I can hold that horse for the vet or the farrier.
[05:28] I'm not aiming for the failure lines. They are fairly low. The lines I stack above the failure lines are what I would label as disappointment lines.
[06:59] I often see people drawing failure lines as something that I would see more as human disappointment.
[07:22] If you're running into problems where you feel things aren't safe for you or the horse, then you should probably get professional help.
[08:38] People often ask too little of the horse as opposed to asking too much of the horse.
[09:35] Picture a kid and a pony and how happy and confident they look. This is a good place to aim for.
[10:16] People often judge themselves, but the horse isn't judging them. The horse is just trying to figure out what they want.
[12:22] Horses aren't judging. They are just asking questions and following along in the conversation.
[13:00] The lack of clarity between the horse and the rider is just a chance for them to learn.
[14:28] Horses can become very smart as to where each person is drawing the lines.
[14:48] If you're holding yourself to a really high standard while you're learning and you label it failure, it can be really crippling.
[14:58] While you're learning be really clear about what you are calling failure and about what you are calling disappointment.
[15:32] If you are in a situation where all you can do is keep your horses healthy and fed, you have permission not to feel like a failure.
[16:53] if you're not actively harming the horse, it's not as big a deal as it may feel.
[17:14] Professionals get to set their own standards.
[17:52] It's important to understand what we label as disappointments and what we label as failures, because the words we use and how we speak to ourselves affects us.
Links and Resources:
The First Horse I Refused to Train
It's the start of the year and time to talk about goal setting. I'm going to talk about SMART goals or goals that you have control of and accidental goals. These are goals that you can't control the outcome of but you can set yourself up for success with them.
I explain what a SMART goal is and how it applies to horse training. I also share how a goal setting mindset shift resulted in how I look at competing in horse competitions. Breaking things down into measurable things that you can control can lead to surprising success.
Show Notes
[01:12] SMART goals are specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound.
[01:35] Set specific goals and then leave room for magic to happen.
[01:45] Non-specific goals are things like improve my riding and build a solid relationship with my horse. These pieces of goals aren't broke down far enough to be SMART goals.
[02:20] They aren't specific, measurable, actionable, etc.
[03:22] You can't control the outcome, but you can set yourself up for success.
[03:47] My 2018 smart goal was running or weight training 3 times a week plus yoga 2-3 times a week. This goal was specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound for me.
[05:05] This also left room for an accidental goal, and I ran a 5K.
[06:21] I set daily and weekly goals that point in a specific direction for showing my horses. I can't control where my horse will end up, but I can set goals of where I will train him five days a week.
[07:01] There are a lot of things I can't control, so I really need to focus on the things that I can control when showing my horses.
[08:08] I share how I almost quit being a professional horseman because of setting goals with outcomes that I could not control.
[08:57] Being devastated by leaving out a maneuver was actually a turning point for me and dramatically changed my view on goal setting.
[09:26] By releasing the outcome of the judging, I was able to make it a specific SMART goal.
[10:58] I had freedom after releasing the things that I could not control.
[12:04] By breaking down goals into SMART goals, you have a good chance of reaching those goals.
[13:54] Break things down into measurable and obtainable things that you can control and then leave the things you can't control.
[14:49] I would challenge those that are interested in the training industry to set specific goals. Such as doubling ads as opposed to getting a certain amount of clients.
[16:01] If you want to ask me a question or leave a comment, you can hit the voicemail button on my website.
Links and Resources:
Stacy Westfall 2003 NRHA Futurity Freestyle Bridleless Reining
It’s important to understand that riders and horses don’t follow the same path of learning. I talk about the straight line progression of a horse’s learning process. I also talk about the best stage of the horse’s progression for a new rider to begin learning on.
I talk about how everything can’t be learned at once, but how an experienced mentor can help speed up the process. I also talk about how it’s important to understand and accept what stage of learning that you are at instead of getting frustrated.
Show Notes
[01:02] Paths that a horse follows while training is pretty straightforward. It's like the path from kindergarten to college.
[01:23] When I start training a horse they are starting kindergarten and the progression of their learning goes up in a straight line.
[01:40] Riders do not follow the same path of learning that the horse does.
[02:05] As I said in my book Smart Start, the safety line where it's safe to get on a horse and ride is somewhere around third grade for horses.
[02:20] All of the basic groundwork is before that.
[03:04] A rider should start learning on a horse that has moved up to the high school level. The odds of something going bad with a horse that is really green are higher.
[03:15] If a horse has made it to the high school level, it means that they steer pretty good and they are generally easy to move around.
[03:56] The side effect of a person learning to ride on a horse that is at the high school level is that they feel like they are lacking on both ends. They have a horse that they can start, stop, and steer, but they don't truly understand the base work that went into that.
[04:42] It's the same theory as learning to drive a car. You don't begin in a Ferrari. You begin driving in a nice functional safe car.
[06:12] Frustrations can be not knowing what to do next, not knowing when enough is enough, when to back off or when to push through and ask for more, and not knowing when to push an exercise to the next level.
[07:05] When you are in the middle, it makes sense not to know what to do next.
[07:59] There's a difference between feeling frustrated and understanding that you're in a certain stage.
[09:11] Knowing when to push through or knowing when enough is enough comes from experience. You need to ask for help when you're not sure.
[09:18] Finding someone who's already been through it is a wonderful way to to learn and gain experience.
[09:39] Recognize when you're in a certain stage and don't judge yourself.
[11:25] Have fun and there is no shame when you are learning.
[11:44] Hopefully understanding the difference between the rider's path and the horse's path is helpful.
[12:36] Start with a horse that is in high school don't do the green green thing.
[14:05] A lot of professionals actually specialize in different disciplines. Then they focus on different stages within that discipline.
[14:58] Understanding the whole spectrum is a big big job.
Links and Resources:
Smart Start: Building a Strong Foundation for Your Horse
There are four stages of competency when riding your horse. I first read about these on an article in Dressage Today. The first stage is unconscious incompetence. The second stage is conscious incompetence. The third stage is conscious competence. The fourth stage is unconscious competence.
I talk about what these stages mean to riders and the stage that people often get stuck in. I also talk about how there is no shame in having to relearn habits, and I share a passage from a readers email and talk about getting the right teacher.
Show Notes
[01:09] I found an article on Dressage Today about the four stages of competence.
[01:21] The first one is unconscious incompetence or you don't know what you don't know.
[01:29] The second stage is conscious incompetence. This is the stage for you become aware of things you don't know.
[01:37] The third stage is conscious competence. This is where if you focus and try hard you can be confident and able to perform whatever you are trying to do.
[01:53] The fourth stage is unconscious competence. This is where you have to work less, because things are happening at an unconscious level.
[02:05] A good example of these stages is when you are teaching someone how to drive.
[03:03] When applied to riding unconscious incompetence is kind of that dreaming stage.
[03:33] Even though riders in the dreaming stage don't have a lot of knowledge, they have a lot of excitement.
[04:03] If someone falls off a horse for the first time in the unconscious incompetence stage, they quickly realize that something can happen.
[04:57] Once you enter conscious incompetence, you can start learning and becoming more aware.
[05:18] An example of this is you've been dreaming of getting a horse, you get a horse, the horse is getting pushy, and you start looking for more help.
[06:00] The conscious competence comes around when you're focused and thinking about what you are doing.
[06:33] Unconsciously competent looks kind of magical to people, but it just comes from hard work and good practice.
[07:14] It's important to recognize that these stages exist.
[07:35] People often feel stuck right in the middle when they are working between conscious competence and conscious incompetence.
[08:17] If you study and put in the time, you can get to the unconscious competence stage.
[09:33] A lead change is an example where a high degree of awareness is needed for a long time.
[12:06] My muscle memory is unconsciously competent for a certain set of things that I've trained my body to do. I had to be conscious of my right hand when taking dressage lessons because it was on autopilot.
[15:42] When switching disciplines there's a challenge that comes along with it.
[16:09] When you have to break old habits don't start condemning yourself. Don't start beating yourself up mentally, because it's not needed. It's not helpful. It will hold you back instead of moving you forward.
[16:57] An email from a reader who is going to take up riding. She needs to find a riding instructor that is the right fit for her so she can be open.
Links and Resources:
Dressage Today
Learning Strategies for the Dressage Rider
Episode 4: In episode 3, I talked about the three stages that riders go through in their horsemanship journey. I also discussed a little bit about responsibility. In today's part 2, I'm diving a little deeper into how I think responsibility and accountability fit into the three stages.
Show Notes
[01:04] I send out a weekly email and get a lot of feedback. I received some helpful feedback when it comes to explaining responsibility.
[01:21] The dreaming phase is when people enter owning horses and they just expect it to work. I called this my Disney phase.
[01:40] The learning phase is nuts and bolts. It's how things work.
[01:57] The balance face is when you can hold on to both ideas the dreaming and the learning. And move back and forth between the two.
[02:07] There is some resistance to responsibility in people who are unaware that they are afraid to give up the dreaming phase.
[02:21] Feedback from people who are afraid of being mean to their horses.
[03:39] You can have both phases at the same time.
[04:45] In the dreaming phase, the responsibility is always with the horse. People think things are magically going to work.
[05:07] When we move into the learning phase, the responsibility shifts over completely to the rider. The rider feels like they are 100% responsible for whatever happens.
[05:30] In the dreaming phase the horses have no accountability. They have us hoping, but if it doesn't work it just doesn't work.
[05:46] In the learning phase, we are responsible, but we're not sure what that means as far as holding the horse accountable.
[06:41] Natural push back from a horse makes people reluctant to set a boundary. People worry if their horse will still like them.
[07:10] Think about whether it's possible even in human relationships to have great accountability breed more trust.
[07:33] I know of a high school teacher who sets very high standards for their students. This teacher ended up being the most respected person there.
[07:48] Somewhere in the mix of responsibility and accountability, we breed this storm of respect.
[08:00] When you are working with your horse you are each 100% responsible.
[08:25] You will have to work out the consequences inside your relationship.
[08:58] Stand outside the pasture and watch and see how your horse reacts and what emotions they are going through.
[09:23] Horses that challenge lines are telling you something about who they are when you go to work with them.
[09:32] Stop and think about how you are interpreting the things that I am saying when I talk about the dreaming stage, the learning stage, and the balancing stage or when I bring up words like responsibility and accountability and respect. How do these words fit in with what you are experiencing with your horse?
Episode 3: The topic of responsibility is going to be a two-part series. In this first part, I'm going to talk about the stages that riders actually go through when they are learning with horses. The three stages riders go through are the dreaming stage, the learning stage, and the balanced stage. Learn how to understand which stage you are in and how to work towards balance.
Show Notes
[01:07] The first stage that riders jump into is the dreaming stage. I call this my Disney moments. This is the stage that most people enter horses through. Whether it was cowboy movies or the Black Stallion books.
[02:00] At some point, people transition into the learning stage.
[02:17] The learning stage kicks off a lot of thoughts about how things function. I call this the nuts and bolts.
[02:35] The third and final stage is the balanced stage. This is where someone believes in both of the stages.
[03:22] Learning more doesn't mean you have to give up dreaming, and dreaming is not less than learning. It's beautiful when balance happens.
[03:54] In the dreaming stage, you think everything works, and you give all of the responsibility to the horse.
[04:29] In the learning stage, you can get too bogged down in the nuts and the bolts.
[05:39] Thankfully, I found my way to a more balanced phase.
[06:09] I don't criticize anyone who is dreaming, and I don't criticize anyone who is learning, but I love it when they can join me in the balanced stage.
[06:56] You can still experience the magic of horses while learning the dynamics of how things work.
[07:50] People who become horse trainers are often in that learner phase. They often move closer and closer to robotic training.
[09:34] If you're a professional with horses, you can write your own rules.
[09:48] Take a minute and reflect on the stages and see if you are in predominantly one stage or the other. Are you spending more time in one stage or the other? Have you found balance? Do you switch back and forth fairly frequently? Is there an area where you are stuck?
Episode 2: Today's topic walks the line between the mental idea of leadership versus the physical execution of leadership. I’m tempted to talk about the physical side of this topic, but season one is about the mental side.
I want to break everything down into the four-quadrant model, so we can get clarity before we put everything together and use it. In this episode, I’ll be talking about how leadership is different from just getting along and how it impacts the way we show up with our horses.
Show Notes
[00:54] The four square model is a really simple tool for breaking down complex problems.
[01:29] In this season, I'm focusing on the rider's mind.
[01:31] This episode is about the idea of leadership and how it is different from simply just getting along and how this idea impacts the way that we show up with her horses.
[01:48] The interesting thing about this topic is how it walks the line between the mental idea of leadership and the physical idea of leadership.
[02:22] Horses are hardwired to look for a leader. If they don't find a leader, they are compelled to step into that role.
[03:13] Some horses are more mild-mannered and some are more strong-willed.
[03:44] Jane shares an email about how her horse won't go around the ring.
[04:27] Natural horsemanship came out with the idea that horses have emotions. If we recognize these emotions, we can use them to change the horse.
[05:10] Some people have used this idea as an excuse to just "get along".
[06:06] There's nothing wrong with wanting a relationship with your horse.
[06:38] You can have an element of leadership in your relationship with your horse while still knowing them as who they are.
[07:28] Leadership is about actually taking the responsibility inside that relationship. You are responsible for your horses safety and what happens with your horse.
[08:03] An email from Amy about her new horse.
[09:46] Grandma's rules. Between human relationships, there is a distinct difference between what different adults will allow. If children can determine this, so can horses.
[11:12] Guilt can affect riders and what they are willing to ask for.
[13:12] If a horse's state of mind is going to impact the training a lot, we have to admit that some horses are more strong-willed.
[13:54] What is your first gut reaction when I say you need to be a better leader? Do you show up feeling guilty when you ask your horse to do something.
[14:40] Are you trying too hard to be perfect and not giving the horse any responsibility?
[15:50] Your challenge for the week is to write down one place where you have really great leadership skills and one place where you need to improve.
Links and Resources:
Natural Horsemanship
Episode 1: Welcome to season one of the Stacy Westfall podcast. I'm Stacy Westfall, and I'll be teaching you why horses do what they do and action steps for creating clear confident communication with your horses. In this first season, I'll be discussing issues that frequently affect the way that riders think.
I use a tool called the four square model. The purpose of this model is to simplify complex problems and break them down into smaller actionable pieces. The four quadrants include the rider's mind, the rider's body, the horses mind, and the horse's body. Season one will focus on the rider’s mind. Today’s episode is about fear. I talk about how it is different than danger and some of the ways that it affects riders.
Show Notes
[00:34] Season one will be about issues that frequently affect the way riders think.
[00:47] One of the tools that I use is the four square model to simplify complex problems by breaking them down into smaller actionable pieces.
[01:05] The model is created with four quadrants which include the rider's mind, the rider's body, the horses mind, and the horse's body.
[01:43] This first season of the podcast will be focusing on the rider’s mind. Today, I'll be discussing fear and how it is different than danger and some of the ways that it affects riders.
[02:30] Fear is something that you experience in your mind. Danger means that you are actually in physical danger.
[02:59] Melanie writes in about having a fear of riding.
[03:51] Think about having fear and anxiety about riding.
[04:21] Fear in people's minds is frequently because there isn't a guaranteed outcome.
[05:08] There's no guarantee that your riding experience will always remain the same.
[06:11] Letting fear hold us down guarantees we won't achieve what we want.
[06:14] An email example about another horse owner not riding because of fear.
[07:18] If you really want to do something, don't let the fear of not having a guaranteed experience stop you. Otherwise, you are guaranteeing pain.
[08:57] Even when you have fear, you will live through it and at least you know you tried.
[09:45] One of the greatest ways to learn is by making mistakes.
[10:51] Other people are also experiencing fear.
[11:07] We literally teach our horses to face their fears, because we want them to know that not all fear equals danger. The same thing is true for you.
[11:34] What is one step you can take to face your fear?
[11:54] Sharing your fear in a comment can be one small step towards facing it.