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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.