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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. -
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 changeDelve 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.
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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.
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In this podcast episode, Stacy Westfall responds to a listener question from Laura, who has a highly trained and well-behaved horse named Parker. Laura says, “he's just so good. And me being new, I kind of wonder what I can offer him.” Stacy offers four angles for Laura to consider:
1. Use Parker's excellent behavior as a model to study and apply to her other horses.
2. Avoid the "infatuation" or "awestruck" phase, and instead focus on observing Parker's individuality and differences.
3. Recognize that training is not just about correction or reprimand, but also about supporting and guiding the horse's strengths. An excellent employer would do the same with an excellent employee.
4. Look for one thing that each of her other horses does better than Parker, to avoid becoming "barn blind" and losing sight of the nuances of each horse's behavior.Stacy emphasizes the importance of shifting one's paradigm to see training as a multifaceted process that can enhance even the most well-trained horse.
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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:1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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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.
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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 processOverall, this episode provides practical strategies for handling the challenge of big, complex decisions and avoiding the mental strain that can come with prolonged indecision.
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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 those we can't. She shares personal experiences, including breeding her horse Gabby after losing another mare, to illustrate how choosing change can build resilience and prepare us for unexpected changes.
Key points:
Change is constant and inevitable, even when we try to keep things the same
Choosing change often feels challenging due to the uncertainty it brings
Recognizing "red flags" when considering change for the wrong reasons is crucial
Building mental resilience through consistent habits helps in navigating both chosen and unexpected changes
When others disagree with the change you choose (for example: choosing to sell a horse) you'll likely experience an additional layer of challenge
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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 horsesStacy emphasizes that a deep understanding of marking behavior and its implementation can greatly enhance training effectiveness and improve overall communication between humans and horses.
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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.
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