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Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall

Sep 20, 2023

In this podcast episode, I answer a question from a listener who is preparing to start their horse under saddle and has questions about the progression from a rope halter to bits with shanks. 

Topics include:

Progression with a focus on understanding the purpose of each tool.
Consideration of the horse's understanding...


Sep 13, 2023

A listener wrote in that she recently got a new trail horse, and she said, “he's supposed to be a "super finished" trail horse.” 
But he is not acting the way she imagined a finished trail horse should…

Which brings up the question: What is a finished horse?

There are many categories that can be used to...


Sep 6, 2023

Early in training, or early in introducing a new concept, it is an EXCELLENT idea to reward the smallest try. 

But here is the question.

When do you start expecting the full answer?

This is where people often get stuck.


In this podcast, I explain the challenge that comes along with only rewarding the smallest try,...


Aug 30, 2023

It is remarkable how well horses can learn to read a rider's seat cues. 


In this podcast, I explain how I use my seat cues to communicate with my horses, including how these seat cues can naturally develop. 

A seat can:

  • Follow the motion
  • Get ahead of the motion
  • Get behind the motion
  • One hip bone can be more on top of...


Aug 23, 2023

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, you have probably heard me say, “Your horse is asking you questions.”

Sometimes people will reply, “My horse isn’t asking questions…he is making statements!”

In this episode, I explain how horses develop limiting beliefs, what useful beliefs are, and how...