Best Stacy Westfall Podcasts (2025)

Most riders only think about safety after something goes wrong. But what if the most effective way to feel secure—and actually be safe—is to prepare before a problem ever shows up? In this episode, Stacy explains why proactive riding builds not just safety, but also clarity, emotional stability, and dependable habits that hold up under pressure. Ke…

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Episode 347: ‘I Just Want to Feel More Confident’—but Which Kind? 25:11

Play Pause

14d ago25:11

25:11

By Stacy Westfall

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Episode 346: How Can I Reward My Horse Without Stopping the Flow of the Ride? 18:06

21d ago18:06

18:06

If you’ve ever hesitated mid-ride, wondering how to acknowledge your horse without losing momentum, you’re not alone. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the often-overlooked skill of pausing in motion—a subtle shift that turns mechanical movements into a connected dance between horse and rider. Key takeaways: – Long pauses work in early train…

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Episode 345: 4 Reasons Riders Don’t Teach Focus 37:35

28d ago37:35

37:35

Most riders want a focused horse—but many unknowingly skip the steps required to develop it. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores four common reasons riders don’t actively teach focus, and how this omission affects connection, performance, and safety. Key takeaways: – Some riders don’t believe focus is teachable—or even possible—and assume it’s…

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Episode 344: Ask December You: The Time Travel Trick for Better Decisions 35:35

1M ago35:35

35:35

Checking in on your goals mid-year might feel uncomfortable—especially if you’ve lost track of them or suspect you’re not where you hoped to be. But that discomfort holds valuable clues. In this episode, Stacy Westfall shares why she used to resist mid-year reviews, what finally changed her mind, and how looking honestly at where you are now can re…

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Episode 343: Why “Almost Right” Will Bring Less Tension 19:49

1M ago19:49

19:49

Striving for precision too early in training often backfires—not because correctness is wrong, but because perfection adds pressure. In this episode, Stacy shares how choosing to leave something slightly off, or “almost right,” can actually lead to greater clarity and softer communication. Using a real-time groundwork session with her mare Luna, St…

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Episode 342: Stuck Between Knowing and Doing 22:56

2M ago22:56

22:56

By Stacy Westfall

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Episode 341: Forward Is a Direction—And a Trained Skill 24:22

2M ago24:22

24:22

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 …

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Episode 340: Why Your Horse Keeps Falling In—and Leaning on Your Inside Leg 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

By Stacy Westfall

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Episode 339: Training with Energy: Preparing Horses for Real-World Challenges 19:34

2M ago19:34

19:34

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 energ…

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Episode 338: The Mind-Body Connection at Tricky Trail Crossings 16:55

3M ago16:55

16:55

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. Key takeaw…

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Episode 337: Change the Angle, Change the Lesson 42:03

3M ago42:03

42:03

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…

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Episode 336: Horsemanship as Art—And the Tension of Teaching It 25:11

3M ago25:11

25:11

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 instabi…

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Episode 335: The Rider’s Body – When Your Body Tells a Different Story (Part 2) 23:52

4M ago23:52

23:52

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 pattern…

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Episode 334: The Rider's Body – Your Cues vs Your Core (part ) 24:45

4M ago24:45

24:45

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 tha…

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Episode 333: The Rider's Mind - The Critical Balance Between Knowledge and Meaning 24:55

4M ago24:55

24:55

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 mi…

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Episode 332: The Horse’s Mind – From Instinct to Intention (Part 2) 25:01

4M ago25:01

25:01

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 n…

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Episode 331: The Horse’s Mind: What Their Body Tells You About Their Thinking (Part 1) 30:13

4M ago30:13

30:13

A horse’s body reveals more than just physical movement—it reflects their thoughts, emotions, and understanding. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how a horse’s behavior can show both their level of knowledge and their maturity. She shares why interpreting the horse’s mind requires stepping outside of our automatic reactions and learning to …

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Episode 330: The Horse’s Body: Observation vs. Interpretation 22:29

5M ago22:29

22:29

When your horse hesitates, pins its ears, or struggles with a movement, what’s really happening? It’s easy to jump to conclusions—assuming resistance, pain, or a training gap. But the key to true understanding lies in separating observation from interpretation. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores the importance of neutral fact-finding when ass…

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Episode 329: Misdiagnosed? A New Way to Diagnose Riding Challenges 20:11

5M ago20:11

20:11

When training your horse, are you treating symptoms or addressing the real issue? In this episode, Stacy Westfall explains why accurate diagnosis is always the first step. She shares insights from decades of horse training, revealing how misdiagnosing a problem can lead to ineffective solutions, frustration, and even new challenges. Key takeaways: …

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Episode 328: The Moment is Gone (But That's Not a Problem) 31:13

5M ago31:13

31:13

Not every ride goes as planned—but what happens after the ride often determines whether you improve or stay stuck. In this episode, Stacy Westfall breaks down a "less than perfect" training session with her horse Ember, sharing how experienced riders turn these moments into stepping stones instead of setbacks. Key takeaways: Progress follows a cycl…

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Episode 327: The Recipe for Success: Balancing Structure and Intuition in Horse Training 25:42

5M ago25:42

25:42

This episode tackles the challenge many riders face when trying to balance structured training plans with intuitive horsemanship. Stacy Westfall uses an unexpected cooking analogy to demonstrate how mastering any skill requires both systematic planning and gut-level awareness. Key takeaways: Strategic time investment in foundational training during…

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Episode 326: The Physical Expression of Your Dream: Beyond Words Like 'Trust' and 'Enjoy' 18:30

6M ago18:30

18:30

Do you find yourself using words like "trust" and "enjoy" when describing your horse training goals, but struggle to translate these concepts into action? You're not alone. Many riders grapple with the gap between their aspirations and day-to-day training decisions. In this episode, Stacy Westfall explores how to transform abstract horse training c…

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Episode 325: The Missing Link: Why Some Keep Going and Others Burn Out 17:26

6M ago17:26

17:26

What if your fuel—not your effort—is the problem? Stacy Westfall shares a surprising lesson in persistence, revealing why sheer determination isn’t enough—and what actually sustains lasting effort. Understand why intense effort alone often leads to diminishing returns—and what to do instead. Explore the subtle but crucial difference between belief-…

Stacy Westfall Podcasts

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Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall

Stacy Westfall

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The Barbra Schulte Show

The Barbra Schulte Show

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Episode 349: What Critical Mass Really Looks Like in Riding 26:59

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Episode 348: Don’t Wait — Prepare Before the Problem 11:16

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Episode 347: ‘I Just Want to Feel More Confident’—but Which Kind? 25:11

1
Episode 346: How Can I Reward My Horse Without Stopping the Flow of the Ride? 18:06

1
Episode 345: 4 Reasons Riders Don’t Teach Focus 37:35

1
Episode 344: Ask December You: The Time Travel Trick for Better Decisions 35:35

1
Episode 343: Why “Almost Right” Will Bring Less Tension 19:49

1
Episode 342: Stuck Between Knowing and Doing 22:56

1
Episode 341: Forward Is a Direction—And a Trained Skill 24:22

1
Episode 340: Why Your Horse Keeps Falling In—and Leaning on Your Inside Leg 33:55

1
Episode 339: Training with Energy: Preparing Horses for Real-World Challenges 19:34

1
Episode 338: The Mind-Body Connection at Tricky Trail Crossings 16:55

1
Episode 337: Change the Angle, Change the Lesson 42:03

1
Episode 336: Horsemanship as Art—And the Tension of Teaching It 25:11

1
Episode 335: The Rider’s Body – When Your Body Tells a Different Story (Part 2) 23:52

1
Episode 334: The Rider's Body – Your Cues vs Your Core (part ) 24:45

1
Episode 333: The Rider's Mind - The Critical Balance Between Knowledge and Meaning 24:55

1
Episode 332: The Horse’s Mind – From Instinct to Intention (Part 2) 25:01

1
Episode 331: The Horse’s Mind: What Their Body Tells You About Their Thinking (Part 1) 30:13

1
Episode 330: The Horse’s Body: Observation vs. Interpretation 22:29

1
Episode 329: Misdiagnosed? A New Way to Diagnose Riding Challenges 20:11

1
Episode 328: The Moment is Gone (But That's Not a Problem) 31:13

1
Episode 327: The Recipe for Success: Balancing Structure and Intuition in Horse Training 25:42

1
Episode 326: The Physical Expression of Your Dream: Beyond Words Like 'Trust' and 'Enjoy' 18:30

1
Episode 325: The Missing Link: Why Some Keep Going and Others Burn Out 17:26