Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall

Episode 364: A Pause While I Become A Student

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

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

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 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...

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

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores why moments of discomfort are not only normal but necessary—for both horses and riders—as they grow and learn together. Stac...

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

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores what hesitation at halter pressure really means—whether you're starting a young horse or checking the foundation of an older o...

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

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, m...

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

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 nec...

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

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how the challenges of age and physical effort intersect with the stories we tell ourselves. From running a 10...

Episode 356: Why Concentrated Moments Teach Lasting Lessons

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy Westfall unpacks three key topics that shape both riding and life: goal setting without overwhelm, success defined from within,...

Episode 355: Strategy Isn't the Starting Point

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What makes some riders succeed where others stall out? In this episode, Stacy Westfall unpacks Tony Robbins' model of state, story, and strategy and s...

Episode 354: How Support Feels Different Than Correction

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When riders add layers of communication, the line between offering support and making a correction can blur. In this episode, Stacy Westfall shows how...

Episode 353: When Cues Become Conversations

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ri...

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

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy Westfall explains how survival riding develops, why it often goes unrecognized, and what keeps riders stuck in that cycle. Draw...

Episode 351: Why 'Kind of Working' Feeds Dissatisfaction

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

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

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy Westfall offers three distinct ways to think about how horses learn to handle surprise. Drawing from her experiences with horse...

Episode 349: What Critical Mass Really Looks Like in Riding

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 prepa...

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

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode 345: 4 Reasons Riders Don't Teach Focus

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most riders want a focused horse—but many unknowingly skip the steps required to develop it. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores four common re...

Episode 344: Ask December You: The Time Travel Trick for Better Decisions

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 343: Why "Almost Right" Will Bring Less Tension

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Striving for precision too early in training often backfires—not because correctness is wrong, but because perfection adds pressure. In this episode...

Episode 342: Stuck Between Knowing and Doing

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 341: Forward Is a Direction—And a Trained Skill

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode builds on the previous discussion of horses "falling in" on circles by shifting from the problem to the proposed solution: teaching forwa...

Episode 340: Why Your Horse Keeps Falling In—and Leaning on Your Inside Leg

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 339: Training with Energy: Preparing Horses for Real-World Challenges

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded from her truck at a horse show, Stacy Westfall explores the critical but often overlooked concept of energy management between horse and ride...

Episode 338: The Mind-Body Connection at Tricky Trail Crossings

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy shares insights from her first off-property trail ride with Ember, revealing a critical moment where riders unknowingly teach their horses probl...

Episode 337: Change the Angle, Change the Lesson

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores how shifting between perspectives reveals critical blind spots in your horsemanship.  To illustrate this Stacy shares a 'backwa...

Episode 336: Horsemanship as Art—And the Tension of Teaching It

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Horsemanship is often described as an art—but teaching it requires breaking that art into pieces. In this episode, Stacy reflects on the challenge o...

Episode 335: The Rider's Body – When Your Body Tells a Different Story (Part 2)

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy Westfall explores the hidden conversation happening between riders and horses—beyond conscious cues. Using the analogy of learning to float wh...

Episode 334: The Rider's Body – Your Cues vs Your Core (part )

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy explores the critical distinction between specific riding aids and your overall body intention. Riders often experience a disco...

Episode 333: The Rider's Mind - The Critical Balance Between Knowledge and Meaning

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores the two core elements inside the rider's mind: the information you rely on and the thoughts that either help or distract you. St...

Episode 332: The Horse's Mind – From Instinct to Intention (Part 2)

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy explores how horses experience emotion—and more importantly, how they can learn to regulate it. Through stories, training exa...

Episode 331: The Horse's Mind: What Their Body Tells You About Their Thinking (Part 1)

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A horse's body reveals more than just physical movement—it reflects their thoughts, emotions, and understanding. In this episode, Stacy Westfall exp...

Episode 330: The Horse's Body: Observation vs. Interpretation

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When your horse hesitates, pins its ears, or struggles with a movement, what's really happening? It's easy to jump to conclusions—assuming resistanc...

Episode 329: Misdiagnosed? A New Way to Diagnose Riding Challenges

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When training your horse, are you treating symptoms or addressing the real issue? In this episode, Stacy Westfall explains why accurate diagnosis is a...

Episode 328: The Moment is Gone (But That's Not a Problem)

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Not every ride goes as planned—but what happens after the ride often determines whether you improve or stay stuck. In this episode, Stacy Westfall b...

Episode 327: The Recipe for Success: Balancing Structure and Intuition in Horse Training

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode tackles the challenge many riders face when trying to balance structured training plans with intuitive horsemanship. Stacy Westfall uses ...

Episode 326: The Physical Expression of Your Dream: Beyond Words Like 'Trust' and 'Enjoy'

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you find yourself using words like "trust" and "enjoy" when describing your horse training goals, but struggle to translate these concepts into act...

Episode 325: The Missing Link: Why Some Keep Going and Others Burn Out

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if your fuel—not your effort—is the problem? Stacy Westfall shares a surprising lesson in persistence, revealing why sheer determination isn'...

Episode 324: Heart and Goal: Your Dreams Made Visible

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When riders set goals, they often strip away the emotional elements in an attempt to make them more "professional" or achievable. Stacy Westfall chall...

Episode 323: "I Feel Behind" - And What To Do About It

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you catch yourself saying "I'm behind" so often it feels like a permanent state of being? That nagging sense of always playing catch-up can follow ...

Episode 322: Why Smart People Abandon Good Goals

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When pursuing a meaningful goal or implementing a yearly theme, three specific challenges consistently emerge that can derail your progress. Join Stac...

Episode 321: The Missing Step: Why Your Goals Need a Theme

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you find yourself cringing when someone asks about your goals? Or maybe you've set goals before, but they felt hollow and meaningless? You're not a...

Episode 320: Your Next Chapter: Finding Magic in Your Own Timeline

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy explores how a fresh perspective on learning can transform your horsemanship journey. Through sharing her own mindset shift abo...

Episode 319-The Gift of Seeing: Finding Magic in the Rewatch

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"If I could snap my fingers and give you a gift..." In this episode, Stacy shares what she considers one of the most powerful tools in any rider's jou...

Episode 318-Noticing Progress While Embracing Reality

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy explores why celebrating small wins matters, even - and especially - when faced with unexpected emotions about our progress. Th...

Episode 317: Your Horse's Year in Review: Seeing 2024 Through Their Eyes

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy guides listeners through creating a year-end review from their horse's perspective. Building on her popular approach of sharing...

Episode 316: Three Revealing Behaviors: When Horses Want to Play

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Stacy explores the nuanced concept of play in horses, identifying three distinct types of playful behavior: possessed play, repressed ...

Episode 315: Why are you thankful for horses? How have horses changed your life?

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy Westfall shares a personal tip on the value of re-listening to podcasts, courses, and books to deepen learning and retention, e...

Episode 314: New is Always New: Why Experience Doesn't Eliminate Uncertainty

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy Westfall explores a common misconception in horse training: that professionals don't experience uncertainty or caution when facing new situation...

Episode 313: Preventing Secondary Reactions: Preparing Your Horse for Success

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 y...

Episode 312: Is Your Horse Seeing Contradictions? Helping Your Horse Understand

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy explores the concept of recognizing and embracing contradictions in horse training, sharing insights from a recent experience w...

Episode 311: The Silent Conversation: Three Hidden Challenges in Understanding Horse Language

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores three key challenges in reading horse body language and how misinterpretation can affect horse-human relation...

Episode 310: When Your Horse Disagrees: Managing Conflicting Viewpoints

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Horse owners often encounter situations where our horses seem to "disagree" with our choices or training methods. This can trigger feelings of conflic...

Episode 309: Back to the Basics: The Dance of Internal and External Focus

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy shares a unique perspective on foundational skills in horsemanship. She explains how this viewpoint can reveal subtle imbalance...

Episode 308: Maintaining Momentum: Riding Through Life's Interruptions

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here's a cleaned-up version: This episode explores the challenge of maintaining momentum when faced with interruptions in your horse training plans. W...

Episode 307: Through Their Eyes: A Horse's View on Group Riding

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

Episode 306: Listener Q&A: Enhancing the Relationship between a Novice Rider and a Capable Horse

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast episode, Stacy Westfall responds to a listener question from Laura, who has a highly trained and well-behaved horse named Parker. Laur...

Episode 305: Listener Q&A: How Can I Increase My Confidence In My Goals?

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 304: The Anticipation Paradox: When Good Training Creates New Challenges

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy addresses a common issue in horse training: anticipation. A listener from Denmark asks how to handle a horse that performs lear...

Episode 303: Consistency is Key: Transitioning from Arena to Trail

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy shares insights on transitioning horses from arena training to trail riding. She emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges as opportunit...

Episode 302: Words Matter: How Language Shapes Your Equestrian Experience

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy Westfall discusses the overuse of the phrase "I'm sorry" in everyday situations and how it relates to horsemanship. She recounts observing exces...

Episode 301: Indecisive No More: Conquering Decision Fatigue, and Miserable Maybes

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of the podcast explores the concept of "decision fatigue" and the challenges of navigating the "messy middle" or "miserable maybe" when f...

Episode 300: The Challenge of Choosing Change

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this milestone 300th episode, Stacy Westfall explores the challenges and benefits of choosing change. She reflects on her journey of creating weekl...

Episode 299: Thematic Thinking: Unlocking New Perspectives

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 peri...

Episode 298: Mimicry's Limits: How Horses Move Beyond This And You Can Too

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast explores the crucial difference between mimicking and understanding in learning processes, using examples from horse training and human s...

Episode 297: Marking Mistakes: Why Non-Reactivity Matters in Horse Training

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy Westfall discusses marking behavior as a fundamental aspect of horse training. She explains how this technique, often used in clicker training, ...

Episode 296: From Theory to Saddle: Building Your Equestrian Toolbox

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 295: Allowing Choices: Empowering Your Horse's Mind

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy Westfall introduces the concept of "allowing" versus "making" in horse training. She emphasizes that both approaches have their place, with "mak...

Episode 294: Predictable vs Unpredictable: From 'Oh This Again' to 'Oh, I See It There!'

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy discusses the importance of addressing predictable problems in horse training before tackling unpredictable ones. She argues th...

Episode 293: Recalibrating Your Horse Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy addresses the common feeling of being "behind" in horse training, offering a framework to reassess and recalibrate goals. She provides four key ...

Episode 292: You are Invited: Two Invitations Horses Offer Riders

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast episode, Stacy Westfall introduces the concept of viewing a horse's behavior as an "invitation" that riders can choose to accept or de...

Episode 291- Lessons Learned on the Trail and Foal Update

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Stacy recaps her experience with the Tevis Cup Virtual Challenge. She shares that she will do it again, and what she will do differen...

Episode 290-The Power of Touch: Building Connection Through Contact

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy emphasizes the importance of establishing contact with horses in order to achieve connection. Contact refers to physical touch,...

Episode 289: Recovery Time: The Missing Piece of Your Training Plan

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When pursuing long-term goals with your horse, it's crucial to intentionally plan for both physical and mental recovery time. While most riders allow ...

Episode 288: Dancing with Discomfort: Steps of Faith and Evidence

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 287: Distracted: Should I let my horse stop and look, or keep him moving?

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 286: When Words Fall Short: How You See It vs. How I See It

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy dives into the challenge of using words to describe what happens with your horse. She starts with a common experience: reading ...

Episode 285: Five levels of distraction you can see in a horse.

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Stacy shares five levels of distraction that she see in horses.  This is important to think about, because if you can recognize it i...

Episode 284: How Riders Can Avoid These 3 Self-Created Obstacles

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 283: Switching Gears: Mastering Multiple Roles with Your Horse

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast episode discusses the dual roles riders embody: the supportive advocate and the accountable coach. The challenge arises when riders need ...

Episode 282-Riding Towards Understanding: the Virtual Tevis Cup Challenge

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the power of goal-setting and learning in layers, using her own experiences and the upcoming Virtual Tevis Cu...

Episode 281- Earning Wisdom: Two Stories of Personal Growth

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's podcast explores the concept of wisdom as something attainable through experiential learning, rather than mere accumulation of knowledge.  Th...

Episode 280: Gratitude Amidst Adversity: Caring for Orphaned Foals

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy Westfall shares a deeply personal journey of unexpected challenges and gratitude in her latest podcast episode. Following the sudden loss of her...

Episode 279-The Pitfalls of Regret: Tracing Its Effects on Thought Patterns

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 conversat...

Episode 278: Rushing Forward: Overcoming the temptation to rush

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy shares a challenging moment she very much wants to rush through. Drawing parallels between human behavior and equine tendencies...

Episode 277: Two ways you may be disconnecting from your horse

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Stacy explains two unintentional releases riders often overlook and the challenges they cause for the horse. These are also things t...

Episode 276: Resolving Resistance: Believe your horse's feedback

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 re...

Episode 275: The biggest relationship mistake I see riders make with their horses.

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 274: From Doubt to Discovery: See your horse more clearly to bring back the wonder and joy

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anger, frustration, fear… to wonder and joy. In this episode, three students share their challenges and growth with their horses inside the Resource...

Episode 273: "From 'I Don't See It' to 'I See It!': Breaking Down the Barrier Between Seeing and Understanding"

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy shares valuable insights into how riders unintentionally slow their learning.  She explains why many less experienced riders skip what she call...

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

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy explains the five essential steps riders undertake to enhance their horseback riding skills and their training techniques. She ...

Episode 271: The Unseen Connection: Counting Strides vs. Navigating Emotional States

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 reflec...

Episode 270: The Art of Being: Embracing a Way of Being Approach

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 fu...

Episode 269: Catalyst for Change: 3 Steps to Shift Your Way of Being

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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." inc...

Episode 268: Seeing your horse dream on a daily basis

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 267- Dream bigger, measure backward, and let things count.

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An important part of setting future goals is reviewing and learning from the past.  This episode includes an 8-step process for reviewing and learni...

Episode 266: Red zone, yellow zone, green zone

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you notice that you find yourself thinking or saying, 'look, I messed up there'  or 'my timing could have been better there' and you have an under...

Episode 265: Raw reactions vs. rewarded responses

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode,  Stacy Westfall delves into the intricacies of raw reactions versus rewarded responses, using her new yearling horse, Ember, as an e...