Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall

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 rob...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 defau...

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 foun...

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 fr...

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 impa...

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,...

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 ver...

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 examp...

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 c...

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...

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 be...

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...

"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 caus...

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....

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...

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? Wha...

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 fr...

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 f...

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 downl...

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...