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 begins. Key takeaways: What it means to set a goal without letting it take over your thinking Why measuring success goes beyond ribbons, scores, or outside opinions How the mindset you choose beforehand shifts the entire experience Why concentrated moments magnify lessons already present in daily rides This episode examines how compressed experiences reveal the deeper patterns in horse and rider, offering lessons that carry far beyond a single ride.
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32:32
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32:32
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 just finding the right plan. She explains how success often depends on the unseen layers that shape choices in the arena and beyond. Key takeaways: – Chasing strategies while ignoring state and story leads to frustration and stalled progress – The story you tell yourself directly colors how you interpret and apply strategy – Your emotional state sets the tone for both your ride and your horse’s response – Shifting state and story first allows the right strategies to actually work This episode examines how the interplay of state, story, and strategy influences both horse training and personal growth. Strategy gives you the steps, story gives you the meaning, and state gives you the power to use them.
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13:05
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13:05
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, release—can create very different experiences for the horse depending on the rider’s intent and timing. Key takeaways: – What makes steady support feel so different from a late correction – Why the same aid can either build confidence or create tension – How horses reveal whether they’re guided or corrected – What riders must notice to make guidance clear This episode explores how horses interpret the difference between guidance and correction, and what that means for riders who want to communicate with more clarity, reduce tension, and build trust.
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31:42
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31:42
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 anticipation, contradictions, and “mistakes” often signal effort and learning rather than resistance. Key takeaways: What looks like a problem may actually be proof your horse is trying to apply what you’ve taught Anticipation isn’t something to eliminate, but a tool that can reveal missing pieces in your cue system Strengthening one cue often exposes weaknesses in another—this is part of balanced communication Viewing feedback from your horse as part of a loop transforms training into a two-way conversation This episode examines how shifting your perspective—allows you to recognize effort, guide balance, and deepen the connection with your horse.
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34:06
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34:06
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 patterns she sees in adult riders, Stacy reveals the two main roots of survival riding and why avoiding the uncomfortable work only makes the problem grow. Key takeaways: – Survival riding often begins with not knowing what you don’t know, leaving riders unprepared for escalation – Guilt and fear in adult riders can keep them from practicing the very skills that would prevent runaway moments – Short-term safety choices can mask long-term gaps in communication and control – Building advanced skills creates readiness and dissolves the need for “white-knuckle” riding This episode examines how survival riding shows up, why it persists, and how skill-building replaces scraping by with confidence. It’s especially relevant for riders who recognize moments of barely holding it together and want to move toward deliberate, prepared riding.
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.
Listen to Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall, The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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