Official Site of Stacy Westfall

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… The post Episode 302: Words Matter: How Language Shapes Your Equestrian Experience appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

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… The post Episode 301: Indecisive No More: Conquering Decision Fatigue, and Miserable Maybes appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

In this milestone 300th episode, Stacy Westfall explores the challenges and benefits of choosing change. She reflects on her journey of creating weekly content for over a decade and how it has shaped her perspective on change. Stacy discusses the constant nature of change and the importance of distinguishing between changes we can control and… The post Episode 300: The Challenge of Choosing Change appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

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… The post Episode 299: Thematic Thinking: Unlocking New Perspectives appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

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… The post Episode 298: Mimicry’s Limits: How Horses Move Beyond This And You Can Too appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

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… The post Episode 297: Marking Mistakes: Why Non-Reactivity Matters in Horse Training appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

This podcast explores the intricate relationship between theoretical horsemanship concepts and their practical application in real-world riding situations. Stacy delves into topics such as rein contact, rider awareness, and the nuances of horse-rider communication. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful analysis, she bridges the gap between classroom learning and on-the-trail experience. Key topics include: The concept… The post Episode 296: From Theory to Saddle: Building Your Equestrian Toolbox appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

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… The post Episode 295: Allowing Choices: Empowering Your Horse’s Mind appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

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,… The post Episode 294: “Predictable vs Unpredictable: From ‘Oh This Again’ to ‘Oh, I See It There!’ appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

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 •… The post Episode 293: Recalibrating Your Horse Training Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]

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… The post Episode 292: You are Invited: Two Invitations Horses Offer Riders appeared first on Official Site of Stacy Westfall.... [Read more]