Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall

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

  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.

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

  Stacy Westfall explores the hidden conversation happening between riders and horses—beyond conscious cues. Using the analogy of learning to float while swimming, she reveals how riders can unintentionally contradict their own instructions through subtle physical signals. In this episode: Discover why your horse reads your tension, breathing patterns, and hormone shifts as clearly as your intentional aids Learn to distinguish between helpful awareness and counterproductive anxiety by recognizing when your body is communicating mixed signals Understand why even experienced riders must consciously evaluate both their horse’s readiness and their own physical state in challenging situations This episode demonstrates that skilled riding isn’t just about technical precision—it’s about mastering the subtle interplay between internal belief and physical communication. Your emotions will always "ooze out" of your body and become part of the conversation your horse is already listening to.

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

  In this episode, Stacy explores the critical distinction between specific riding aids and your overall body intention. Riders often experience a disconnect between the small cues they apply (leg pressure, rein contact) and the broader message their body position and energy convey to the horse. Key takeaways: – The rider’s body communicates more than just cues—it reflects intention, emotion, and unconscious signals – Clarity arises when physical aids align with internal intention and focus – Emotional states influence the horse, whether or not the rider is aware of them – Building awareness of your own body language is essential for clear communication – Questions are a natural part of the learning process for both horse and rider This episode demonstrates how critical it is to align physical cues with internal clarity. It’s especially valuable for riders who want to improve communication with their horse through better body awareness—not just better technique.

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

  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. Stacy unpacks how both missing knowledge and unexamined beliefs can quietly interfere with clear communication and forward progress with your horse. Key takeaways: Gaps in understanding may look like missing information—but can also stem from mismatched or misapplied techniques Your body unconsciously reflects your true beliefs regardless of your intentions, creating mixed signals your horse can't interpret When your mind automatically creates meaning from every interaction Unexamined thoughts and stories can distort feedback and trigger self-doubt during key moments This episode examines the powerful concept of having "enough" knowledge to proceed confidently.  It’s especially valuable for those balancing learning with leadership, offering insight into how to sort through mental noise and act with clarity in real time.

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

  In this episode, Stacy explores how horses experience emotion—and more importantly, how they can learn to regulate it. Through stories, training examples, and thoughtful reflection, she illustrates how emotional elasticity allows horses to pause instead of panic, and process instead of simply react. Listeners will learn how to recognize a horse’s natural default state, how that state influences outward behavior, and how training can help develop more thoughtful, responsive equine partners. Key takeaways: – The difference between raw instinct and thoughtful responses – What emotional regulation looks like in motion – How temperament plays into training outcomes – Why a horse’s reactions aren’t always what they seem This is part two in a series on The Horse’s Mind. For a foundation on how physical behavior reflects a horse’s thinking, listen to Part 1: Episode 331. To dive deeper, visit Stacy’s website and take the free quiz on the four quadrants of horse and rider development. The results will highlight where to focus next—and follow-up resources will guide your next steps.

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