Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall Stacy Westfall

In this episode, Stacy dives into the challenge of using words to describe what happens with your horse. She starts with a common experience: reading a student's description, then watching a video to match it with reality. This exercise often reveals discrepancies. For instance, while a student might describe a horse as "reactive" or "stuck," the video might tell a different story.
Topics include:
How you describe it vs what I see Childhood game of telephone Emotions impacting your viewing Viewing from calm, neutral Identifying normal stages Below the safety line...’just barely’ above the line Repeat exposure changing the way you view and interpret your horse She also introduces the Resourceful Rider program, which helps riders connect through shared terminology and mutual understanding, aiming for consistency in describing horse behavior.

In this podcast, Stacy shares five levels of distraction that she see in horses. 
This is important to think about, because if you can recognize it in layers, or levels of distraction, then you have a chance to see the progression. 
People use the term ‘distracted’ to describe a wide range of behaviors, so I want to show you this in layers.
Level 1: Checked Out
Level 2: Panic, But With Recovery
Level 3: Just Above the Safety Line
Level 4: Second Story Window
Level 5: Roof Top
Listen and identify which level you are at, and learn more about the common challenges with each level

This podcast episode discusses the dual roles riders embody: the supportive advocate and the accountable coach. The challenge arises when riders need to  switch between these roles depending on the situation with their horse. 
Using personal anecdotes and analogies, Stacy illustrates how these roles manifest in real-life scenarios, such as encouraging a horse to canter in a confined space or making decisions while trail riding. 
Drawing parallels between sports coaching and horse training, she elucidates the challenges riders face in pushing their horses beyond their comfort zones while maintaining a supportive rapport. 
By sharing personal experiences and insights, Stacy encourages listeners to reflect on their own roles and challenges in horse training, offering practical tips for navigating these complexities.