Do you think horses can be taught to be emotionally mature? What would that look like? Can you teach a horse to ‘help you out’? Or do you expect things will always feel ‘manual’ with your horse? In this episode I share my thoughts on emotional maturity and the three reasons people don’t teach it. (Spoiler alert: here are the three answers) The main reasons people don’t do it are: 1) they aren’t aware its an option 2) it is repetitive 3) repetitive is a bit boring But it is all worth it when you get to say, “Yes!” to your horse and you’re really excited they volunteered!

Episode 138: 3 reasons people don’t develop emotional maturity in horses

Stacy Westfall teaches people how to understand, enjoy and successfully train their own horses. In her podcast, she shares all of her knowledge in her area of expertise: horses. She offers insights into issues that riders face in their own minds as well as the way they are viewing the challenges and goals they have with horses. She shares tips on becoming a better rider as well as a better leader for your horse. 
Discover how you can understand things from your horses point of view so that you can enjoy the learning process with your horse. When you are able to understand what your horse is experiencing mentally and physically the process of learning new things becomes more enjoyable.  
Your goals may be showing, trail riding or simply enjoying life with horses-all of which Stacy enjoys herself. 
She shares her own struggles and successes to allow listeners to understand that everyone experiences ups and downs. 
Through her podcast, website, YouTube channel and social media Stacy answers questions about: Fear, when to sell a horse, goal setting, safety, ground work, trailer loading, lead changes, reining, spins, stops, western dressage, ranch riding, when to get help, lessons, clinics and improving your safety, success and enjoyment of horses.

Hobbies

Games & Hobbies

Sports

Wilderness

Leisure

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.

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

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. 

Episode 281- Earning Wisdom: Two Stories of Personal Growth

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.

Episode 280: Gratitude Amidst Adversity: Caring for Orphaned Foals

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.

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

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

Episode 138: 3 reasons people don’t develop emotional maturity in horses

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