Episode 345: 4 Reasons Riders Don’t Teach Focus

Most riders want a focused horse—but many unknowingly skip the steps required to develop it. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores four common reasons riders don’t actively teach focus, and how this omission affects connection, performance, and safety.  Key takeaways: – Some riders don’t believe focus is teachable—or even possible—and assume it’s just a fixed trait – Many confuse physical obedience with mental engagement, ignoring signs of distraction – “Good enough” behavior often hides a lack of real focus, which unravels under pressure – Riders frequently wait until the horse is overwhelmed before trying to teach focus—when it’s too late This episode examines how small oversights in daily work can lead to bigger issues in new environments or under stress. It provides riders with the awareness to identify subtle distractions and the tools to create more mentally present, engaged horses—long before they “need it.”

Checking in on your goals mid-year might feel uncomfortable—especially if you’ve lost track of them or suspect you’re not where you hoped to be. But that discomfort holds valuable clues. In this episode, Stacy Westfall shares why she used to resist mid-year reviews, what finally changed her mind, and how looking honestly at where you are now can realign you with what matters most. In this episode: Discover why forgetting your goals or avoiding progress checks signals a deeper problem with your approach Learn the difference between changing your plan because it got hard versus finding a genuinely better path Explore the "time travel" technique that helps you make decisions with clarity and confidence Understand how emotions sabotage your willingness to look at facts and what to do about it This episode demonstrates how a simple mid-year pause can transform scattered efforts into focused progress. Whether you're a goal-setter who's lost momentum or someone who typically avoids goal-setting altogether, you'll discover practical strategies for staying connected to what matters most without the guilt and overwhelm that often derail good intentions.

Striving for precision too early in training often backfires—not because correctness is wrong, but because perfection adds pressure. In this episode, Stacy shares how choosing to leave something slightly off, or “almost right,” can actually lead to greater clarity and softer communication. Using a real-time groundwork session with her mare Luna, Stacy illustrates how intentional imbalance builds understanding without triggering tension. Key takeaways: – Aiming for perfect balance too soon often creates tension in both horse and rider – Allowing small, chosen “mistakes” can give horses space to problem-solve – Overcorrecting sends mixed signals and creates a trapped feeling for the horse – Progress comes from subtle repetition, not dramatic gear changes This episode examines how allowing “almost right” moments helps horses and riders stay mentally and physically relaxed while learning. Ideal for riders who find themselves overthinking, micromanaging, or unknowingly creating tension in pursuit of perfection.

This episode builds on the previous discussion of horses "falling in" on circles by shifting from the problem to the proposed solution: teaching forward as a direction, not just a speed. Stacy explains why forward is often misunderstood and rarely trained as a purposeful, straight-line intention—and how this gap shows up in real riding issues. Key takeaways: Most riders unconsciously cue left or right more often than they intentionally ask for straight forward movement Horses do not default to straightness—it's a trained skill, not a natural tendency Trails and arena rails can give the illusion of straightness, masking a lack of rider-directed movement Problems like dropped shoulders often stem from poor forward engagement, not just steering issues This episode examines how redefining “forward” as a deliberate, trainable direction can dramatically improve your horse’s balance, straightness, and responsiveness. Riders struggling with tight turns, imprecise lines, or inconsistent stops will benefit from this practical framework for improving both clarity and control.

Recorded from her truck at a horse show, Stacy Westfall explores the critical but often overlooked concept of energy management between horse and rider. She observes that many riders fail to prepare their horses for the inevitable energy fluctuations they'll encounter in new environments, whether at shows or on trails. Key takeaways: External energy sources (flapping tents, other horses, tractors) and internal energy (rider nervousness, horse excitement) create an energetic environment that many riders mistakenly label as "problem behavior" when their horse responds Training at home rarely includes deliberate practice with higher energy levels, leaving horses unprepared when they encounter intense situations in unfamiliar environments When challenges arise, a rider's instinctive physical response—either shrinking back or providing confident support—reveals their underlying mindset and directly impacts their horse's confidence This episode examines the fundamental difference between riders who approach challenges thinking "I might be causing this problem" versus those who think "my horse needs support," demonstrating how this mental distinction creates dramatically different outcomes when horses face uncertainty. Particularly valuable for riders who compete or trail ride in varied environments where energy management becomes critical for success.

Stacy shares insights from her first off-property trail ride with Ember, revealing a critical moment where riders unknowingly teach their horses problematic behaviors. By identifying the exact instant when most riders make a fundamental mistake at water crossings, Stacy demonstrates how arena training directly transfers to trail success. Key takeaways: When a horse hesitates at obstacles like mud or water, is "go now" REALLY what you want to say? Arena work that develops nuanced communication between horse and rider enables successful navigation of trail challenges  Maintaining consistent guidance when horses encounter new situations prevents confusion, unlike the mixed messages This episode examines the direct connection between indoor schooling and outdoor application, demonstrating how the "high school" level subtleties developed in controlled settings become essential tools when facing real-world trail challenges. Riders who struggle with water crossings or similar obstacles will gain actionable insights into how their communication either resolves or creates these common trail problems.

This episode explores how shifting between perspectives reveals critical blind spots in your horsemanship.  To illustrate this Stacy shares a 'backward' look at a common problems: a horse that spooks.  When you commit to looking from each of these angles, you are more likely to get the full picture, transforming how you interpret and address training situations. Key takeaways: Discover how alternating between perspectives exposes patterns you miss when fixed in one viewpoint Explore how the same situation (like a spook) transforms completely when analyzed from each of the four angles Learn why your interpretation of events is heavily filtered by which perspective you habitually default to This episode demonstrates the transformative power of intentionally changing viewpoints to solve persistent riding challenges. By using spooking behavior as a practical example, riders will gain a framework for applying this four-perspective approach to any training situation, allowing them to break through plateaus and develop deeper understanding of the horse-human partnership.

Horsemanship is often described as an art—but teaching it requires breaking that art into pieces. In this episode, Stacy reflects on the challenge of translating feel, flow, and intuition into teachable steps—and why both structure and flow must coexist within the art of horsemanship. Key takeaways: Building flow without foundation leads to instability—structure is what gives flow freedom Inspirational teaching often reflects flow, but lacks the tangible grip of mechanics Over-focus on structure can limit the experience of partnership and presence The artistic expression of riding emerges when steps become second nature This episode examines the contrast between structure and flow in horsemanship, offering insight into why both are essential—and how recognizing your own tendencies can bring more balance to your training. Ideal for riders who want to understand the 'why' behind the feel, and step into the dance themselves.