Episode 272: Stuck at the Start: the 5 steps riders use to improve and why many get stuck on step one

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