Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall

S28E364 Episode 364: A Pause While I Become A Student

In this episode, Stacy shares why she's taking a winter break from the podcast after seven years of weekly episodes. She talks about stepping into the role of student again—traveling, taking lessons…

S28E363 Episode 363: Multiple Ways, Deeper Understanding — The Preschool of Horsemanship

In this episode, Stacy explains how teaching a horse to respond to more than one cue—whether that's leading and sending, or using reins, legs, and voice—builds understanding that holds up anywhere.…

S28E362 Episode 362: Discomfort Is Part of Learning — The Preschool of Horsemanship

This episode explores why moments of discomfort are not only normal but necessary—for both horses and riders—as they grow and learn together. Stacy explains how recognizing discomfort as part of the…

S28E361 Episode 361: When Your Horse Hesitates at Halter Pressure—The Preschool of Horsemanship

This episode explores what hesitation at halter pressure really means—whether you're starting a young horse or checking the foundation of an older one. Stacy explains why the horse deserves to…

S28E360 Episode 360: How Lightness Gets Lost — The Preschool of Horsemanship

This episode explores how a horse's lightness can quietly fade long after the "preschool" stage—and how that process often begins in the smallest, most overlooked moments of handling. Using Baby…

S28E359 Episode 359: Bend That Begins in the Body- The Preschool of Horsemanship

This episode explores how bend can be developed through the horse's body—beginning in the shoulders and hips and flowing forward to the head and neck. Key takeaways: – The head and neck often reflect…

S28E358 Episode 358: The Preschool of Horsemanship—It Starts with Curiosity

The earliest lessons in a horse's life often echo through every stage that follows—and understanding them can transform how you work with horses of any age. In this first episode of the Preschool of…

S27E357 Episode 357: Aging, Physical Challenges, and the Stories We Choose

In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how the challenges of age and physical effort intersect with the stories we tell ourselves. From running a 10K at 51 to coaching riders of all ages, she…

S27E356 Episode 356: Why Concentrated Moments Teach Lasting Lessons

In this episode, Stacy Westfall unpacks three key topics that shape both riding and life: goal setting without overwhelm, success defined from within, and the mindset you bring before the moment…

S27E355 Episode 355: Strategy Isn't the Starting Point

What makes some riders succeed where others stall out? In this episode, Stacy Westfall unpacks Tony Robbins' model of state, story, and strategy and shows how lasting progress comes from more than…

S27E354 Episode 354: How Support Feels Different Than Correction

When riders add layers of communication, the line between offering support and making a correction can blur. In this episode, Stacy Westfall shows how the same physical aids—pick up, guide,…

S27E353 Episode 353: When Cues Become Conversations

In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how a simple cue system can evolve into a conversation with your horse. Through real examples from her own riding and her students, Stacy shows how…

S27E352 Episode 352: Survival Riding—What It Looks Like and Why It Happens

In this episode, Stacy Westfall explains how survival riding develops, why it often goes unrecognized, and what keeps riders stuck in that cycle. Drawing on stories from her own childhood as well as…

S27E351 Episode 351: Why 'Kind of Working' Feeds Dissatisfaction

When things are "kind of working," it's tempting to stay the course—even if you're not fully satisfied. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the hidden resistance that keeps riders from making…

S27E350 Episode 350: How Does the Training Ever Work to Stop a Spook?

In this episode, Stacy Westfall offers three distinct ways to think about how horses learn to handle surprise. Drawing from her experiences with horses like Willow, she explains how layered training…

S27E349 Episode 349: What Critical Mass Really Looks Like in Riding

S27E348 Episode 348: Don't Wait — Prepare Before the Problem

Most riders only think about safety after something goes wrong. But what if the most effective way to feel secure—and actually be safe—is to prepare before a problem ever shows up? In this episode,…

S27E347 Episode 347: 'I Just Want to Feel More Confident'—but Which Kind?

S26E346 Episode 346: How Can I Reward My Horse Without Stopping the Flow of the Ride?

If you've ever hesitated mid-ride, wondering how to acknowledge your horse without losing momentum, you're not alone. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the often-overlooked skill of pausing in…

S26E345 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…