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.
Episode 275: The biggest relationship mistake I see riders make with their horses.
2/21/2024 • 19 minutes, 16 seconds
Episode 274: From Doubt to Discovery: See your horse more clearly to bring back the wonder and joy
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.
2/14/2024 • 30 minutes, 26 seconds
Episode 273: “From 'I Don't See It' to 'I See It!’: Breaking Down the Barrier Between Seeing and Understanding"
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.
2/7/2024 • 17 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 272: Stuck at the Start: the 5 steps riders use to improve and why many get stuck on step one
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?
1/31/2024 • 24 minutes, 15 seconds
Episode 271: The Unseen Connection: Counting Strides vs. Navigating Emotional States
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.
1/24/2024 • 23 minutes
Episode 270: The Art of Being: Embracing a Way of Being Approach
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.
1/17/2024 • 28 minutes, 29 seconds
Episode 269: Catalyst for Change: 3 Steps to Shift Your Way of Being
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.
1/10/2024 • 14 minutes, 23 seconds
Episode 268: Seeing your horse dream on a daily basis
