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To reach us by email follow this link http://www.westfallhorsemanship.com/contact/
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Lynn Timmer
September 27, 2011 at 2:31 pm
My name is Lynn Timmer and I live in Eastman, Ga. I have been riding since I was six.. I , also, rode bare back. Through the course of years, I was unable to ride.for different reason. That is something I always missed. My horses were my best friends.
I lost my husband and best friend, 2 1/2 years ago. I am now finding my self again and riding. I am having to ride friends horses at this present time. God willing, I will have my own.
I have watched your viedo more than a dozen times, can not get enough. How long did train your horse to ride with no rains??? You both were just oustanding.
This is one of my dreams, one day. No one can take your dreams , away. My oldest son is downsyndrome ( 43 ) and he loves to ride, also. I pray that one day to meet you and your family or just have communication.
God, just may send someone in my life, that will love horses as much as I do..
With all my blessings to you and your family.
Lynn Timmer
Stacy
September 27, 2011 at 3:46 pm
You are correct that dreams keep you going and no one (except yourself) can rob you of them. It might sound self serving but the best way to see how I trained the bridleless stuff is in the Bridleless Riding: How Does She Do That? Dvd It is Waaayyyy to hard to describe without a horse. Keep dreaming!
Christina
January 17, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Stacy,
Hi I am 16 years old and have been riding since I was a little girl. I stumbled upon your video on Youtube for your Champion Run in 2006. Wow. You are an amazing rider. You inspire me to go far with my dream of barrel racing. Also I have trained every horse I have ever ridden and I never just jump on a horse and go unless it’s my own. I have had some bad accidents that put me in the hospital but my mom always taught me to get up shake it off and cowgirl up! So that’s exactly what I do. I know it must be pretty hard for you to get back to everything everybody posts, you are a very busy woman. And I just hope that maybe not right away but sometime soon you’ll get back to me. Thanks!
-Christina Taylor,MI-
Stacy
January 21, 2012 at 9:50 am
Sounds like your mom is pretty great. Keep up the good work.
Amanda Accordino
September 27, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Hey Stacy, I’ve been a fan since I first saw your “live like you were dying” routine on youtube… which was a long time ago… and since then, I’ve came to many of your clinics at the Columbus Equine Affaire, and watched many of your videos. I’ve come SUCH a long way with a horse I’ve been working with (I’ve only been riding for a handful of years) but this horse and i just clicked. (I posted a couple videos of us working on riding bridleless on your facebook)
Anyway, I was wondering-for a competition, how do you practice your reining patterns? I can’t practice a full pattern or my horse will anticipate. i.e: if I do a reining pattern even once, she anticipates a flying lead change almost every time we reach the point she did it the first time. If we’re practicing horsemanship or eng. eq, and we set up cones, she knows what’s to come and often gets excited or doesn’t have her full attention on me. So what we usually do is practice patterns in pieces. I NEVER do the same horsemanship or eng. eq pattern more than once, and if I feel that there’s something I need to work on, I’ll do it away from the cones, keeping her mind OFF what she thinks she knows. Sometimes we’ll walk to the cone, stand until she relaxes, then walk away. Or sometimes we’ll walk and stop at each cone. If I need to practice flying lead changes, I’ll do it ANYWHERE but NOT where it will be during a competition. This does help a lot to keep her focused on me, but I was wondering if you have any other suggestions since uhhh you’re AWESOME! and every horse I’ve seen you ride never appears to be anticipating anything but what you want. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration!
susan talmage
October 4, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Your Blog is a wonderful treat. thanks Susan Talmage
Sage Crandall
October 8, 2011 at 2:29 pm
As a lifetime equine and reining enthusiast, I just wanted to say that you truly inspire me and I love watching you ride and compete. Thank you!
Sage Crandall
Will Therrien
October 10, 2011 at 2:55 am
Dear Stacy,
I Love your videos, it shows that every horse certainly does have a personality of its own.
Stacy, just a note that the inspirational video that I made over two years ago which includes your Championship Ride, not only is still #1 all time most viewed on One True Media where I made it, by more then 25,000 views. But that video inspired me to start a social networking group discussion forum, which led to starting a non-profit organization that has now lead to The Cowgirls Git-R-Dun World Record Ride around America, on Iron Horses. 35 states, 35 days 9,637 miles with one goal in mind, to raise a million dollar for each of three causes, breast cancer patients, victims of domestic violence and our homeless veterans.
We are just finishing our 1st Annual ride, and have HUGE plans for our 2nd Annual. In fact it would be a privilege to us, and a fitting tribute to you, if you would consider making an appearance at one of our check points in Ohio when we come through next year. After all you were the inspiration that planted the seed that will now touch and change countless lives.
Git-R-Dun Cowgirl,
Will Therrien
Will@CowgirlsGitRDun.com
http://www.WorldRecordRide.com
http://www.CowgirlsGitRDun.com
321-926-6156
Here is the One True Media version of that has been 1# there for over a year and a half now.
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=86dd3a504f0022ed3ef111&skin_id=1603&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
Here is an older You Tube version.
DeeDee Blackburn
October 10, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Could you send me an email of how to pick up leads?
Stacy
October 11, 2011 at 9:54 am
I won’t be answering individual questions through email but I will try to make a video to post explaining questions asked here.
patricia woodruff
October 13, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Hi Stacy My name is Pat and I am the lady who wants you to make a full lenght movie of yourself and how you started out with your love of horses and what your mom taught you about horses. Please look into it and contact Disney Productions to see what they can do and also ELLEN, I KNOW she would LOVE to see it, after all, she paid for you and your family to be on her show with Roxy, so let’s get on with the show!!!
Stefanie
October 17, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Ok so after seeing your video in which you were riding bridleless and bareback, it got me to thinking. I’ve never ever been on a horse and up until this past summer, I’ve never even been close enough to touch a horse (let alone see them in great detail). I’m from PA and just wondering if you could recommend what someone who has never been near horses can do to gain an experience that I want to try but am slightly fearful… (The idea of being tossed makes my stomach toss..) I work non-stop and have school (college) as well. I’ve heard that riding a motorcycle releases stress, having animals (3 dogs), and horseback riding. I’ve done none of the above, just have dogs. As much as I want to control a motorcycle stupid drivers on the road make me think it’s not such a great idea. But evaluating it all, I really just want to get on a horse and go… Sounds kinda lame but hey.. oh well. I just have no idea where to start…
Stacy
October 18, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Not lame. I don’t happen to know anyone to recommend to you. Usually there will be a paper in your area like, http://www.thepaperhorse.com/, where you can find out about local events. Find places where you can go and learn from watching and getting closer slowly. Maybe a friend that has horse? Take your time & enjoy.
Maria
October 19, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I haven’t looked into the rules but i have recently got a QH fro free from a girl that couldn’t show her in english because her gait looks like a limp. she has a scar tissue issue that makes her like that we found out. my question is, can i still show her in westurn?? this horse has such a fighters heart and she wants to compete.
Stacy
October 19, 2011 at 4:05 pm
You will have to talk with a vet and the show. Sometimes a horse can have a ‘mechanical’ lameness (the stride is altered although the horse is not in pain) and you may be able to get special permission…but it is usually difficult to show. Hard for a judge to place a horse in a class where they are judged on movement (western pleasure) if they move in an altered way. Some other classes could be more forgiving.
Arielle
October 20, 2011 at 2:24 pm
I have to do an essay for school and i chose you. Where can i find more information about you and what you do than what is on the meet us page?
Stacy
October 20, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Visit http://www.yourhorsecareer.com and listen to the podcasts there. You should find everything you need either in the podcasts or on http://www.westfallhorsemanship.com
Angelique Aia Hill
October 21, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Hey! my name is Angelique and i live in Sweden, i saw you’re ” live like you were dying” routine and i was just stunned!
I guess you’ve heard it before but, you are amazing and you are everything i want to grow up to be.
I’m only 15, and when i was eleven my father gave me our three year old stallion, i had to do everything with him my self, if i wanted mum and dad could have helped me, but stubborned as i am i wanted to do it my self.
Now he’s seven and, i love him so much he’s really good and we are training to do a freestyle reining this summer. I think i will be riding with a rein or a rope around his neck, like you had when you where riding in the wedding gown, and it will be in honor of you,
because you make the world a better place for horses, and that means the world to me.
marion brown
October 23, 2011 at 12:09 am
Hi Stacy , I left 2 comments on the blog about your son . check em out . TB172@LIVE.COM TEXT OR TESTIMONIIES TO 931-982-9977 MINISTER MARION BROWN .. COLUMBIA , Tn
Sandra Rodewald
October 31, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Hi Stacy! My name is Sandra and I’m 16 years old and live in Sweden. I just want to say that you’re really my big inspiration! You’re absolutely amazing, but of course it’s hard work behind it. And I hope I can be as good as you one day, but me and my horse has a long way to go until then. But we’re trying as good as we can. You has inspired me into a better thinking about horses!
Yrsa Iris (@YrsaIris)
November 1, 2011 at 8:54 am
Hey Stacy, I’m Yrsa Iris and I’m a 16 year old girl from the Netherlands, I was wondering, how did you start riding without a bridle and saddle? And do you think that you can ride any horse without a saddle and bridle?
I used to ride my horse without a saddle but since he’s too old for that now, I stopped doing that.
I really admire your work and everytime I see videos of your shows I get tears in my eyes!
Thank you for letting other people know you can ride a horse without all the fuss like martingales or violence.
Stacy
November 1, 2011 at 10:13 am
Yes and no. You can mount any horse without a saddle and bridle but NOT all will be safe! It takes well trained ones, and ones that want to participate, to really be reliable bareback and bridleless.
Jagoda
November 11, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Hi Stacy! I’m 16 years old girl from Poland. I really like you and you are my inspiration. I have one question to you.. I have arabian horse and he will be 6 in next year. And we must start riding for one hand.. You have any idea how teach my horse that? And.. if we’ll someday ask you for coming to Poland for something like Riding workshops could you do this?
Erica
November 18, 2011 at 10:58 am
Hey Stacy, I was wondering, what is your opinion on blanketing. I live in southeastern Ohio,close to the Ohio-West Virginia border. I don’t clip my horses&they are turned out on pasture all year round,they have a barn to run into out of the wind&rain&snow. Some friends them me I should blanket them,but I’ve heard that sometimes blanketing can do more harm than good&can actually make them colder? I just wondered how you feel about blanketing?
– Erica
Jody Tribe
November 28, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Hi Stacy
I recently watched your show in Sydney, Australia and was in awe of what you do. My husband and I breed Quarter Horses and own a trailer building business in Queensland. I have been around horses all my life and we have never seen anything quite so amazing as you. I have been watching your you tube videos and I just can’t believe what I am seeing. You are truley inspirational and I just can’t wait to get your videos and change some of our training techniques. Everything is making so much sense and I can’t believe we have been doing it so tough all these years. I hope you had a great stay in Australia, we would love to see you out here again sometime.
Shanly Bryant
December 4, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Hi Stacy,
I’m 11 years old, and a new rider at western and want to start doing reining. Do you have any suggestions that I can read or watch? Also, what is a run down? I love the way you work with your horses and the way you ride. It’s fun to get on your blog. I really like your tips for weanlings. We’ve got some babies at the farm were I ride and they are sooooooo different. Two of them are just the snuggliest little things while the other two are the exact opposite. But I just wanted to ask your opinion and tell you that I like you a lot.
In Christ,
Shanly
Dawn White
January 11, 2012 at 7:30 am
Hey Stacy this is Dawn Gias owner you trained her back before I made you famous LOL if you remember that joke. We are putting together a benefit horse show in honor of my good friends two kids that were killed in a car accident on December 17. You might have heard of it ashlei and Nick the brother and sister killed on 13. Ash loved reading your blogs and horses where her life she showed sense she was a toddler and learned to train her horse critter reining and much more from your blogs she was only 24. Nick has just getting into horses and had just got a new horse that he was contesting in 4h.he was such a great kid we were at a 4h camp out and I was taking Kayleys saddle to her stall there where grown men everywhere but Nick ran up to me and said let me help you with that. He was only 16. I was wondering if there would be away you could donate some of your valuable time to do a meet and greet or maybe a freestyle show to help bring people in for the show. I know its a lot to ask and you’re a very busy women. I just thought of you because Ash would have loved it and Carrie her mom loved watching you ride she posted your YouTube videos all the time.
Dawn White
January 11, 2012 at 7:36 am
Sorry I hit the wrong button any way if you could contact me David Byler has my phone # thank you so much Dawn
Erica
January 16, 2012 at 11:35 pm
Stacy, I have a 9-10 year old gelding,not sure on what breed(think Tenn Walker cross). We don’t really know his history. He was given to us. We were told he was broke for trail riding and was good with other horses. Well when we brought him home&put him with our 5 year old aqha gelding(who was gelded 2-3 months before), he decided he was going to be herd boss&proceeded to chase our gelding around the field trying to bite&kick him. Once he got it established that he was going to be superior, the kicking&biting stopped. I saddled him up and rode him out through the pasture,he did great. But if you try to work with him on a daily basis or every few days, he does not respect you. If I wait a week and then work with him,he does fine. I know that horses have a pecking order but its gotten so bad I have to seperate my 3 to feed because if I don’t the problemed gelding will bite&kick the other 2 until they leave him. He also is protective of his feed,so much so that he bit my husband while he was feeding him. My husband had been around him beforehand & fed him before so it wasn’t that he had not been around&he had never acted up around him before. It was like all of a sudden. They have been pastured together for more than a year so I know its not him still trying prove himself. What would you suggest I do to earn his trust&respect?
Deborah Casteel
January 18, 2012 at 9:38 am
Hi Stacy, I bought a horse that has a rearing problem. I had his teeth floated, cleaned his sheath, had the chiropractor out, so now i know it is a behavioral problem. Any suggestions on how to correct this.
Margaret
January 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Hi Stacy,
Can the exercises in your groundwork DVD be executed without a round-pen? I have access to a small, square indoor and my horse lunges (if that helps). Thanks so much!
Margaret
Stacy
February 9, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Yep, the groundwork DVD is all done on a long line, not in a round pen.
Mary Doornbos
January 26, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Hello Stacy,
I have a 2 year old AQHA filly. Right now I’m just desensitizing her with everything. I plan on going to Congress with her when she is older. I’ve lunged her with the saddle on and she has done some rodeo bucks and rears! Shes a little nut! Anyways what is your rule on riding young horses? What age do you start riding your horses?
Thanks!
-Mary
Sydney Hale
February 9, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Hi, I recently got a 4 year old Tennessee walker rescue horse filly,She’s my first horse, and I realize it was stupid to get a young horse as a first horse, but she needed a good home, she was skin and bones when I got her, but she’s fattening up.
I rode her at her old home, and she did perfect.
I tried to ride her where I board her yesterday, and a few days ago and she went crazy.
I let her in the arena so she could run, and she ran.
She was used to being in a pasture the whole time.
Does she just have a lot of energy from being in her stall a lot?
I’ve also tried lunging her, but she hasn’t been trained to lunge.
Or does she need better training?
Teena Rossiter
February 9, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Hi Stacy,
Have you ever met a horse with major insecurity problems? I have a beautiful AQHA mare, but she occasionally has what I can only explain as anxiety attacks. She does not like being alone in the field and she also doesn’t like to leave her field. The last time I took her out she started biting, panting, showing the whites of her eyes and trying to rear up. The second she was put back in the field she returned to her normal sweet self. I’ve never felt so out of control with a horse before and I feared that she was going to really hurt me. What can I do about this problem??
Thank you,
Teena Rossiter
Nancy davis
February 10, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Stacy: I just learned of your loss of Roxy through following the Gillwood video channel on Justin.tv and their foaling cams. I am very saddened at this, and hope you will feel better soon. I can hardly imagine…Nancy Davis
Freida Weldon Burdette
February 10, 2012 at 11:00 pm
Hi Stacy, I’m so very sorry for your loss ! My heart goes out to you and everyone in Roxys’ family! I am very blessed to have seen you & Roxy preform severa times. Please know that you, your family and Roxys’ owner are in my prayers——-I do know what ya’ll are going through—–I’ve lost several of my horses (one was my very best friend & the only male I could count on for many, many years). If I can do anything please let me know horsearoundfarm@yahoo.com or http://www.horsenaroundfarm.com . I do hope to see you again—was hoping you would be at the RTTH this year—–I keep asking Tootie to get you back !! I’m so glad that I have my Breyer Roxy and your autograph (my picture also)!! You’re awesome and please keep up the great work you for us girls!!!
God bless you,
Freida
Pam Brandon
February 11, 2012 at 9:59 am
I am so so sad, Stacy you were an inspiration to us all. I am heartbroken for all who loved her may God comfort all of you. I got to met you several years ago at the Mane Event, you were so gracious, thank all of you for giving us that inner strength needed and the vision for our own beloved horses.
Deb
February 11, 2012 at 4:24 pm
I am truly sorry for your loss. I do know how blessed you were to be fortunate to share time with such a wonderful animal. Deb
Ron Jones
February 11, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Stacy,
Several years ago I requested an air quality DVD of your bareback ride on “Wizzards Baby Doll” to air on my program, Sportsman’s Lodge on WMBB ABC in Panama City Florida. Thanks so for the DVD, and for allowing me to share this touching video with my viewers. We have aired the video several time at the request of our viewers and have been inundated with calls and emails each time it has aired. A good friend of mine and an avid viewer, Sandra Young of “Iroquois Ranch” in Vernon Florida sent me the article about “Roxy”.
I am so sad to hear about this. I will be airing the video on an upcoming program to let the viewers know “Our Sweet Baby” has passed.
Again, Thanks for being the wonderful person you are.
Ron Jones
Sportsman’s Lodge
Panama City Florida
Stacy
February 11, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Ron, Thanks for sharing Roxy with the world, this way even in passing she will still be touching lives. Stacy
Olivia
February 17, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Stacy
I was so saddened to hear about the mis fortunate death of Roxy.
He loves hanging out with the kids, and as an icebreaker decided to show them this particular video. They all loved it so much! It was so amazing to see their reactions. Ever since that day I have been pestered to ‘please miss, watch that video of the horse and lady” It was so sweet to see that these people, often shunned because of their disabilities, took such delight in seemingly such a simplistic thing.
I wanted to let you know how she not only touched my life, but many others.
I volunteer my time between work at our local R.D.A. I work with mentally disabled and also physically disabled people. One day my husband came across your video of you and Roxy doing bareback and bridleless on youtube. He came to work one day during lesson time. Being a policeman I think they were all a bit in awe of him
Every week now, at the end of riding, they all troop inside and sit down for another video of “that lady and her horse” We have followed your journey through youtube for more than a month now. When I told them about Roxy, it was heartbreaking. One or two of them even burst into tears.
There is a young woman who comes faithfully every week. Her name is Natasha. When she was a young girl she used to ride often, and owned her own ponies, until a car accident left her paralysed. She came up with this memoriam for Roxy. I know it might not seem like much to you, and it may not seem very good but you have to understand that Natasha was always very distant and un-communicative, but over our journey of following you and Roxy she has opened up more and more to people. She put her very heart and soul into this piece of work. Please excuse the spelling. I decided to leave it as is.
With this I will conclude,
Roxy, A true hero.
Unbeknown to many,
but a treasure to some,
she held her head proud,
and showed for the crowd.
Unbeknown to many,
but a treasure to some,
she was my true star,
I had but one.
Roxy, our hero,
you showed us the way,
and lit up our hearts,
Rest in peace, our superstar.
Natasha Black
Stacy
February 29, 2012 at 9:16 am
Thank you again…this means even more know knowing the whole story. Thank Natasha for me personally. Stacy
linda
March 2, 2012 at 8:15 am
Stacy, You are a Godsend! I do hope He is sending you to Road to the Horse again this year…..I loved your performance in the beautiful black caped dress in 2011.
Stacy
March 2, 2012 at 9:35 am
I will be there…but with out a horse. Think he can still use me without a horse? lol
linda
March 2, 2012 at 5:18 pm
You make me smile, as I think you make God smile, and yes, He can use you whoever-whatever you are without! lol See ya!
Tina Jaskiewicz
March 2, 2012 at 10:38 pm
I just heard about the untimely death of Roxy today………..she touched my heart during the tribute to Stacy’s dad………..I lost my horse last August……….he was a 20 year old black mustang I adopted at 6 months old. He looked like a small Friesen………….I was able to ride him bridleless and no saddle and we wern’t as good as Stacy and Roxy but we had that same trust and bond. I have had a hard time dealing with loosing my precious Toby and today I know he is with Roxy and they have crossed the rainbow bridge. I run a retirement ranch in CA and loosing an ole one is hard……………loosing a young one that got cast during the night leaves guilt in your heart………..I know the pain I am still feeling 7 months later……..I can only imagine your hurt and for the lil colt she was caring……….but the thought of Toby and Roxy and the baby together in heaven lifted the pain in my heart tonight. For some reason God chose to take these horses from us at an early age…………..maybe someday I will understand………..I have lost my will to ride and own another horse…………..nothing will ever replace Toby ! My other horse is 33……….he is the horse with 9 lives………….he has used 7 so far……….I am mentally ready to loose him…………..but God chose Toby and that is what confuses me.
Thank you Stacy for all your training tips………..I raise Richard Spooner babies here and thanks to Roxy I found you and teach the Spooner babies what you teach me.
Our horses will forever be in our heart…………..they were both the once in a life time horse………..but left us tooooooooo soon !
Tina Jaskiewicz
Foxtail Ranch
Frazier Park, CA
Freida Weldon Burdette
March 3, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Hi Stacy,
AWESOME to hear that you’ll be at the RTTH this year! Yes, GOD has a plan for you to be there. Love talking with you everytime I see you!! I keepasking Tottie to get you back to RTTH—-hope it works out so you can!! See you in a few days!
God Bless You,
Freida
Freida Weldon Burdette
March 3, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Sorry for my miss-spelling!! I’m an old blonde!! Tootie!!
Cheryl, MI
March 20, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Thank you for being such an inspiration! I have your dvd of teaching your horse to bow. I have a bad leg and this would be soooo helpful. Things started out with a bang – she caught right on but am currently stuck at how to get her to stay down. Any tips???
Dana
March 27, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Stacy ,
You have inspired me so much ! I am 13 and I live on a farm that my neghiebors own and I ride a very old horse who is 30 (cody bar doc) . I also ride with Yale university , who is at the barn and I love it. A few days ago I took a big steep from a normal pleasant canter to a gallop ! I loved every second of it ! And with the videos I have seen of you , well… Makes me want to push my self even more ! Instead of trotting and cantering in a saddle, so I now I have chosen to trot bareback till I get good enough and feel confident to canter bare back ! Thank you so much Stacy you are absolutely an amazing rider/person !!!
Dana
Dana
April 3, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Stacy ,
I am riding a 30 yr. old horse. And he has a tooth that is bothering him and i am trying to explain to the owner that it is bother him a lot . But she has had him for a VERY long time so she is very afraid if anything were happen (so its holding the horse back). And the vet said that he would have to put him out and a bunch of other things. but, I think that it would be worth it to have it taken out. Even when I ride him he will pull on the bitt (i ride with VERY light hands). But he keeps pulling on the bit and he constantly throws his head when I try to put the bit in his mouth. I try to ride him with a halter or hackamore . But the owner absuloty hates when I ride in that.
Any advise???? Anything would help
Thank you so much
Dana
Emma H
April 7, 2012 at 9:12 am
Dear Stacy,
I love your work! You are so great! I met you at horsefest 2012 and you signed my boots. I just wanted to say that you and Popcorn are really quite the match! I watched your whoa demonstration thing and I was thing, I really wish my horse would do that. I also want to learn to ride at least bridleless. You are so luck to have such good horses. You are amazing Stacy! I also wanted to say that I’m sorry for your loss of Roxy she was such an amazing mare. Keep it up!
Please right back! Emma
Stacy
April 9, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Emma, Thanks, Horsefest was great…Popcorn is always funny! Don’t wash your boots,lol
kenadi whitaker
April 9, 2012 at 11:18 am
hi stacy, im kenadi whitaker i met you at horse fest in springfield you sighned my boot andmy purse, now i was gonna ask you do you have sister?
Stacy
April 9, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Nope, one brother!
Erica
April 9, 2012 at 11:25 am
Stacy,
and God bless!
Hello my name is Erica. I just wanted to say what an inspiration you are. I have a Horse Illustrated subscription, and saw the tribute to Roxy in the May2012 issue. She was such an amazing horse&the two of you made a beautiful team. I’m constantly reading through my magazines(because I’ve seen several articles that you have conntributed to.). I feel like in the world of horses there is always something new to learn,so I’m always looking to learn something. From your posts&articles&watching your videos I have learned alot&plan to continue learning all I can. Thank you for being who you are.
Jody Munson
April 9, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Hi Stacy,
About 3 years ago I successfully taught my horse to bow by following your very informative DVD. I now want to take it a step further and teach him how to lay down. I have tried to take him from the bow to the laying down position but he gets anxious and always wants to get up. Can you please help me with this? Or do you plan to make another DVD about this? I would be the first to buy! Also will you be doing any clinics in Kansas this summer?
Thank you!
chris larsen
April 9, 2012 at 2:57 pm
I am listing to your podcast and realy enjoy it my Wife and I are passonite about gaited horses and we do training horse and rider and saddlefitting and clinics . We dont do the show ring stuff we speicializeing good safe trail horses . And teaching prople how to properly maintain there horses once they get the best natural gait out of them. So much of what you say rings so true . And the struggle you have to go through to get your self out there. Our clientel is mostly 50+years old that always dreamed to have a horse but realy has very little exrierance with them . They want want a smooth rideing trail companion. I think when someone say just a trail horse they dont relize all that makes to be a good safe trail horse. The ability to keep a clear head under preashure and deal with unexpected situations on the trail . Gaited horses are a lil differant and takes time to get the “feel” of how they move. You realy cant be just a passenger to get the most and keep moveing in good form (realy you cant on any horse). So we always include lessons with any of out training. Once agian thanx for the great podcast. Chris Larsen http://www.willbegaitin.com “training starts everytime you approach a horse and dosnt end until you walk away”
Michelle. Alberta Canada
April 11, 2012 at 7:37 pm
Hi Stacey. My name is Michelle and i have a small favor to ask of you. I am the pattern co-ordinator and coach for our drill team and i am looking for some easy to do begginer and intermediate riding test to use for our training. Improving horsemanship is at the heart of all equine projects and this is one of the ways i have found to help find things that we can improve on. Any and all help is appreciated.
Lori Silcher
May 4, 2012 at 8:43 am
Stacy, write me, I will talk to you about your horse. Prayers to you
Elizabeth Cruz
May 5, 2012 at 6:24 pm
Hello, Stacy
I was wondering can Vaquero still see? There was a unknown parasite up here in CT that sadly we lost the horse. It happen in less then 24 hrs. He lost his site out in the field ran threw a fence where. He was complety healthy the day before. When the farm found him he was very ” drunk”. We had to put him in the indoor until the arrived becaus he couldn’t keep his balance in cross ties. The vet said they hadnt seen it before but it had happend to two other horses at two different farms. They aren’t sure what causes and arent sure of the signs. I’m sure the horse at our farm would be fine if she didn’t run though the fence the fence just scared her and being scraped upset her.
I’m not telling you this to scare you, I’m just hoping it may help.
caledoniansocietyofrestigouche
May 7, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Hi Stacy
I am about 15 yrs from retiring, and i am gearing up to have a horse by then.
I have access to land to build a horse barn and it also has two field a large field to hay and a smaller field to build a fenced in area and a round pen. my question is how much does it cost on average to feed a horse, veteran visits etc and any incite into what kind of barn to build for the horse i was looking at this one http://www.beambarns.com/barn-plans.html Model HB2232
cheers
James Thompson
Louwnique
May 31, 2012 at 6:01 am
Hello Miss Stacey,
I’m an 15 year old Missionary daughter. with big heart for Missions as well. We live in Zambia as a Family!! its AWESOME!!
We are a Horse Loving Family, but has never had the oppertunatie to have horse.
I just want to say that i Know the Lord is Proud of you, because your proud of HIM.
Bless yoU
Lindsey
June 14, 2012 at 3:28 pm
Hi!
My name is Lindsey, I just turned 18. I’ve been sitting on horses for about 4 years, but I was waaayyy to scared (ie. terrified) to do anything faster that a very very slow jog on very small horses until about two years ago when God gave me my first horse. I’ve started barrel racing, and I’m working with a good trainer and a good (God given) mare. I’ve been galloping the barrels for a couple months, but I am still a little bit nervous to go all out around the barrels, especially in the turns. It’s kind of weird because i love the sport. Any suggestions?
Kristi Horbach
June 15, 2012 at 10:50 am
Hi Stacy,
I have just purchased your DVD’s on basic groundwork and am very excited receive them. I have a horse that is so dead calm at home, however, when she leaves the property she becomes a frantic lunatic. I recently took her to a now ex-coach who instead of addressing her fear of a new property plus her fear of cows dragged her into the round pen and basically beat her with a lunge whip and was told she is dangerous and this is what round penning is!!!! Being new to round penning I am not sure of the entire technique but I find it hard to believe that beating a horse into submission is not the entire process. Can you please clarify briefly for me the purpose of round penning and the general process and possibly any other suggestions you may have to desensitize her to being in new situations.
Thank you.
Camille
June 18, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Stacy,
I, like most girls, have been enamored with horses since I was young. Unable to afford riding lessons for long I volunteered at a local therapeutic riding center. I went for the horses and stayed for the students. It’s been years and now I’m an instructor there and hope to open my own center one day. We have a process called simply “sensory” where they students get on the horse, bareback and in a quiet place, and just lay on the horse. Forwards, backwards…whatever they want. After seeing the peace it inspired in them, I was tempted to try it myself, and I have to say…there is nothing quite like sitting backwards on your horse and giving their butt a big hug! I could go on for pages, rambling about our students and horses but I guess the point of this post is just to say thank you for dedicating to your life that special relationship between horses and humans. That more than anything is what drives the healing and miracles at centers around the world.
Madeline
June 26, 2012 at 2:21 pm
I want to get into reining but know nothing about the sport. I am 15 and have been ridding for over 5 years now. Do you know of any good books, or other pieces on knowledge that would help me learn about reining?
charlotte adcock
June 30, 2012 at 10:18 am
I have a 8 yr old grandaughter Madelyn and we watch you all the time. (about the last 3 yrs) She loves watching you and wants to be a trainer when she grows up and I hope she does. She looked at me one day and said Granny was your horse Foxy as a good as Miss Stacey’s horse is …..I looked at her and said yes honey yes she was and one day you’ll have a horse like that too then she said what about the wedding dress……..(having to laugh) lets get the horse first…. she said ok its roxy foxy is her name so now we are looking for her and o yes she’s got to be black. thank you for your videos
adam
July 2, 2012 at 10:05 pm
hi i live in the city i have been riding horses bare back since been 11 i can,t ride saddle an 25 its just never apealed to me! i have saw your videos wat u do with out bridle an mean bit, is crazy to think that u could do that living in town with fools in car buses basicaly rubing your leg when pass u.i break lot horses in for travellers so me few m8s always have people bringing them down to get riding an going in the cart.i break horses in by not giving into them playing up,like trying to take off with u! i had cob mare that use to roll with if could’t throw u off.my great grandad who can,t rember meeting cuz was so young worked shires on the plough as job moved round farms all round country in the uk i never had chance to ask him is opinion.i found that if i got them draging weight round logs or wat ever it knocks all the silly stuff out them an more play up the longer miles u do. is that right attitude to have cuz seeing u with horses no bridles an the trust u them both seem to have is amazing to watch. and i i now want quatre horse when u next on tour in the uk?
Cheryl Barrett
July 4, 2012 at 8:12 am
Hey Stacy,
I told you some time back that our mare was going to have a colt & if it was a boy it would be Wizard & if a girl it would be Baby Doll. Well, we have now got a new baby & since her dad’s name is Doc, she is now known as Doc’s Baby Doll in Roxy’s honor. Take Care, Cher
Bobbie Gaines Wessel
July 15, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Do you teach personally or take interns or allow someone to come to your facility? My neice 18 rides and loves and saw your tribute to your father and would like to learn more. Thank you.
Stacy
July 16, 2012 at 9:37 am
Right now I teach clinics that are from 2 days to 6 days long. In the future (when my boys are older) we would like to do an intern type program but not now:(
Brittany
August 8, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Dear Stacy,
I’ve been a fan of yours for quite some time now. My heart sank when I heard about Roxy, and now Vaquero. About three months ago, my Arabian horse Sammy had what the vets think was a neurological episode. The video you shot of Vaquero reminded me exactly of what he looked like when that terrible day came. I was out riding Sammy on the trail, after two weeks of giving him off. He had been lame on his right hind. I turned him out for a few days and he looked great. So I decided to get back on him. We were setting out for the trail and all of the sudden he fell over sideways on top of me. I jumped from my feet stunned, and he looked confused as well. Luckily I was ok, just startled me quite a bit. I led him back home and called the vets out on emergency. Luckily I had friends there to help me, I was a total wreck. He could barely walk into his stall from the field, and almost fell when he was inside. It happened out of nowhere. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so emotionally torn in my lifetime. I took him for neck x-rays 2 weeks after the incident and he had been on anti-inflammatory medications. They did a neurological exam on him when he arrived at the New Bolton Center. They found nothing wrong. They said the arthritis in his neck was average for a 15 year old, and that he seemed to know exactly where his feet were. They told me that he was ok for turn out when he got home. Its been three months, and he seems back to his old self. I’ve been lunging him every couple days, and he looks great. I got on him bareback and just walked around a bit. I still feel uneasy about it, and still am confused because I never got a full answer as to what was wrong with him. All they could tell me was it sounded like a neurological episode. Unfortunately, I now know how it feels when something so sudden and tragic strikes. I pretty much told myself the day that his incident happened that I would soon to be saying goodbye to him. I cried for days on end. I can relate exactly to how you felt at that time. The emptiness I experienced can’t even be put into words. I am so sorry that your story has ended tragically. I hope that you are healing.
Would love to hear from you,
Brittany
Stacy
August 13, 2012 at 8:13 am
Brittany, My heart breaks for you! I am happy that your horse seems to recover to some degree in between, that is good. On Vaqueros x-rays the amount of arthritis was considered normal…not even close enough to cause the symptoms I (or you in this case too) are describing. This made me hopeful but the vets explained that unless they did a mylogram, where they inject dye into the spine and then take x-rays, they would not be able to determine what the arthritis was doing inside the spine. On the first trip and with the outside x-rays looking good we passed on the mylogram (which cost thousands of dollars) because they had said it would be unusual for the outside to be OK and the inside to be terrible.
Unfortunately when Vaquero got worse we went back, spent the money, and found that the inside was a lot worse than the outside had indicated.
I am healing. I still catch myself wondering if it really happened and for a split second hoping not. Maybe you can have a happy pasture pet. When Vaquero got so bad that was my hope but even that didn’t work out.
nikki
August 11, 2012 at 6:20 pm
Hello Stacy.
) I am just very frustrated.
I left you a comment to one of your Trailer videos and I am so frustrated, cause my very scaredy claustrophopic paint, knows how to do the limbo under the trailer bar ( every reiner probably would be quite jealous of how this horse can lower his hips
I was on workshops with some really good and sweet horseman. I was told I need to boost his confidence, make him braver… I think he knows exactly what he wants when he does the limbo, braking the trailer interior under the bar.
He can kill himself with his doing…. He doesnt really trust the two leggeds… I just wished I would find a way to always stay one step ahead of this really smart horse.
Do you have any idea??
Any smart comment is highly appreciated.
Cheers from germany.
Stacy
August 13, 2012 at 8:03 am
When you say ‘he doesn’t really trust the two leggeds’ it makes me want to agree that he needs a boost of confidence in humans. Can you find his confidence issues in other places, outside of the trailer? Can you do all of the exercises I have shown before going to the trailer? If yes, go ahead and video doing the exercises and send a clip.
Kenady Johnson
September 8, 2012 at 11:58 am
Dear Stacy,
You are such an amazing
Kenady Johnson
September 8, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Srry bout the post befor my labtop has been messing up & doing crazy things for the last few days
I just wanted to say you are such an amazing horse trainer & have greatly inspired me so much. I am 14 going on 15 & have trained 3 amazing horses so far. My horse Star I can now ride bareback & bridless. My new 2yr. old Image that I just got had never been touched or worked with & within 2 weeks I had her riding like a pro. My biggest acimplishment though was training my 8yr. QH mare Mistie. Mistie was deathly scared of humans when I got her & had never been rode or had a saddle on in her life. Everyone who had seen her was shocked when within a week I had her riding well & trusting people again. Thank you for being such an inspiration!
I am so sorry to hear about the 2 horses you lost. I know how it feels to lose one. I lost my first horse Casey last June & I’m still not over her death. She had taught me so much & I am lucky now to have her only daughter Star to train & learn from.
Would really like to hear back from you!
Kenady
Dominique Mclean
September 18, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Hey Stacy!
You’re absolutely amazing! Gosh I wish I could do all the things u do! I first hear of u from my grandmother who found the video of u at the congress bare back and bridle-less doing all those fancy tricks, hahaha let me tell ya my grand-ma was just as amazed as I was.
anyways =) , I got my horse, Reese, who is 8yrs old and I’ve owned him for about 2 yrs now. Reese, also known as Reese’s pieces <3, is my first horse and let me tell ya he is just amazing. All he wants is to be loved; he has a lot, A LOT of character and is just a great all around horse. He was trained western but I converted him over to british english style because I have never had any western training. I’ve been taking lessons one a week for the pass 8yrs now and I’m just looking to improve my riding and my relationship with my horse anyway I can. but this year Reese has me stumped usually it’s not a big deal relearning everything in the spring after winter and the snow is all gone but this year we've been having some cantering problems. he just doesn’t want to pick up the right leads, I don’t know if it’s me or of he's just being lazy (witch isn’t like him, he's full of energy and ready to run at any moment when asked) but I was wondering if u had any advice about the canter leads? I really want to do some eventing with Reese but I don’t know if we’re ever going to be ready. Oh well I just hope at some point me&him could go compete so I can show everyone how much potential he has because he is really quite amazing. Any advice would be great! I’m just real eager to learn all I can so that me and Reese could someday be one of the greats =P cross my figures! X) Oh and if u need a clip of me and Reeser-boy riding let me know and ill dust off the camera =D
And I don’t mean the question of canter leads to be an insult if this level of training is too low, I just don’t know what to do anymore. Well thank u for your time.
By the way, GREAT web site! I’ll be sure to use some of your tricks I learned today =)
Thanks So Much,
Dominique <3
Oups! almost forgot =P I’ve been having trouble finding eventing shows in Ontario and I was wondering if u knew any, I know it isn’t your style of riding (I think =S maybe I’m mistaken) but yeah just curious =-) thx again!
Madison Alexis
October 1, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Hi Mrs. Westfall! My name is Madison. I’m 14. I have a bay AQHA horse, Duke, that I have just bought. He is a really good horse and cooperates reall well. I really am interested in how you train your horses to work without a bridle. I have looked up some stuff on the internet, but I figured the best person to ask would be you. Could you give me a couple of tips? I know how to train with the saddle. Is it very different?
Erica T
October 17, 2012 at 12:23 am
Hi Stacy,
For starters, im a big fan and pray that one day I may be as close to my horses as you are to yours.
Secondly, we have a gelding, he’s about 10-11 years old. Was gelded around age 9,was kind of spunky until a few months after being gelded,once the hormones were out of his system. He loves being groomed. But most generally hates being led. He is supposedly broke to trail ride. We don’t really know his past. Or how he was trained or rode. And seeing that I have a 2 year old and now a 3 month old,I haven’t had the time to closely get to know him. I rode him once after my first child and he did alright, although he just walks,wouldn’t pick up even a trot. Then the other time I rode him, he threw a fit and proceeded to try and buck me off because we were out of sight from my mare. He didn’t succeed at bucking me off,we continued on our path made a loop and then I walked him back to the barn. So now that I am getting time to work with him, I have read the article in the September 2011 Horse Illustrated issue. You describe a 3 month training period to get young horses off to a good start. Do you think it would benefit him&I to use that article as a starting point to try and get us on the same page? Im thinking g back to ground work will be the best way to refresh him,especially since i dont know his background. Any tips will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Erica Totmanoingdhgoing back to ground work will be the best way to refresh him,especially seeing that I ddjdon’t know his background. Any tips will be appreciated.
Ashley
November 24, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Hi Stacy, my name is Ashley and I am from Australia. I just received your DVD’s for my birthday and was very excited to get started. I have a few questions though. I have a two horses, one young horse who is 2 years of age and not overly quiet but he is very friendly and allows me to do most things with him. However, I have a 12 year ok who is very spooky and very hard to catch. He is great to ride and is ok after being caught but he doesn’t like being handled much at all. I was wondering if it is still possible, because he is at such an age, if ur methods will still work with him? I am a little worried as he is so spooky. Your advice would be much appreciated.
Regards
Ashley
Stacy
December 5, 2012 at 7:10 am
It would be great for you to practice all of the methods with the older horse. It will give you more practice and confidence and who knows…it may help him too. Lots of times with the older ones we really can help them, they just have a few more habits that can take longer to change. Still worth trying and you will still learn a lot from it.
Carter Taylor
November 29, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Hi Stacy,
Yesterday morning I watched a video sitting in my office here at work. That video had a very strange impact on me emotionally, took me to a wonderful place. I do not understand what part of the video impacts me the most, your simple outfit, the way you sit a horse, your hair bouncing around, being bareback, no tack, the way Roxy moves, the enthusiasm of the crowd, the music? It created my own lifetime of horse memories, that started at the age of seven in 1967 when I took my first riding lesson, to around 42 when I finally quit competing. Anyway, I wanted to find out the story behind the video and what I found, was a much bigger story than the nonfactual account that accompanied this particular video. What I found was a very inspirational woman, a phenomenal horse trainer, a wife and a mom with an incredible journey through life! The timing is interesting as I have been having my own personal struggles with life, basically getting wore down, but your site is full of reminders that God is in control. Thank you for a very pleasant couple days.
Carter Taylor
Stacy
December 5, 2012 at 7:01 am
Well I guess if I get letter like yours Carter the whole ‘deaf mute’ email might just be worth it! So glad you found inspiration in the sight.
Tammy
November 30, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Hi Stacy!! My mom found your video with roxy and shared it with me. I am so sorry to hear she has passed.. Makes me sad.. I have a black horse with one white hoof looks sooo much like roxy it’s scary! She too is a quarterhorse from Texas.. Doc Barr is her great grandfather. Pretty cool.. And I taught her to bow.. I love your videos and I am buying your book.. My girl is alittle too much for me sometimes so would love to learn from you.. Thanks for sharing..
Cynthia Norton
December 3, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Stacy, what a gift from God you are. You are truly an amazing and inspiring woman. That you are a good person would go without saying, for animals always know the truth. And, it is evident that they are connected to you. My heart goes out to you for your recent losses. The Beloveds will run free forever in Heaven and in our Hearts. Blessings Always,
Linda Morse
December 11, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Stacey Saw your amazing ride on FB and shared liked it so much I wanted to know more about you so Googled you and found your page. I have amended my post and put a link to your page hope people will see it.. Why do people have to invent things about people You are such an inspirational rider and awesome to watch It makes not one bit of difference to your talent you are simply amazing
Shannon
December 28, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Hi Stacy!! I love your videos with Roxy and Vaquero, they are so amazing!
I’ve been riding for almost 3 years now, and I was really scared of horses before I started riding my friends horse. One thing that amazes me when I watch you ride is how balanced you are on the horse. When I’m riding bareback I can balance ok at a trot (in a straight line), and when I ride with a saddle, I can ride up to a lope just fine but when I try running, I get really unbalanced. I was wondering, are there any exercises that you use to help improve balance, or is it just a lot of practice?
Stacy
January 4, 2013 at 7:55 pm
Mostly lots of time, although there are some things you can do to help. Walk and trot poles in a straight line are great, having someone lunge you so you can hold on to mane and let go with left hand, then right hand, then no hands (really quick at first) etc.
Shannon
January 7, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I’ll definitely try that!!!
Cheryl Barry-Fryer
January 5, 2013 at 6:06 am
Hi Stacey I’ve watched your video’s over and over and practice the lessons on my horses regularily. I thought you’d like to see a very short video I took the other day of my horse Tucker going for a walk with my new puppy. Luckily I had my phone with me or I would have missed this !
Rachel
February 23, 2013 at 11:25 am
Hi Stacy!
I’m Rachel and I am 11 years old. I think you are soooo AMAZING!!! Your 2006 bareback and bridleless ride was sooooooo great!!! That video was so inspiring! I ride english but I really hope one day I can learn western reining! I do jumping and things like that. I have ridden western some when I went trailriding. I love trail riding because i dont have to worry about diagonals and leads and stuff.
Well I don’t expect a reply because I know your busy. i just wanted to tell you how amazing and awesome you are!
Stacy
April 11, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Lol, I enjoy trail riding too. Thanks for the note!
Morgan Danielle Warr
February 26, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Hi Mrs. Stacy! It has and is my dream to meet you! I’m Morgan & I’m 13 years old. When I first saw one of your videos, I knew I wanted to ride. I started riding when I was 7 and didn’t have the best one to start out with. For Christmas last year my dad bought me an Appaloosa mare named Pay K’s Gold. She was a reining champion and I knew I would love her! I recently showed in my first Stock Horse show that had reining, of coarse I did everything else, but the highlight was reining! I had tons of fun, although Pay K did not do her flying lead change for the second half of the pattern, it was a great experience. I will be showing in April, and wanted to let you know how great of a role model you have been! Thank you so much!
Stacy
April 11, 2013 at 2:28 pm
You are soooo very welcome! Thanks for the note:)
tjedhorsegirl
March 5, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Hey Stacy!
I would like to get some info on clinics. I would like to do a 4 day personal clinic at your place next fall(if you still plan on doing them that far out) and would like some more info, I’ve tried emailing and calling, but they’re always full! You’re a very popular woman!!!(Because you’re awesome!) Anyway, if you could contact me I would appreciate it!
Stacy
April 11, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Lol, sorry about that. I should be doing some in the fall. I am swamped with emails but when I get to yours I will respond. I would consider fall to begin in September-about when kids go back to school-so I would probably start booking September in July or August. Does that sound about right for you?
tjedhorsegirl
April 11, 2013 at 3:11 pm
That would be amazing! I am excited already!
Do you mean book it this July for next Sept or book it all next year? (2014) My parents are letting me do it for my 16th birthday(we get to pick anywhere in the world, ~ advantages to being home schooled!!!). I spend just about all day everyday with my horses(unless it’s too cold and then I’m watching training videos online!) and my goal is bridle less reining eventually, and I’m pretty sure you’re the best mentor out there for me to learn from! I LOVE your book btw! I have read it just about a million times and have marked it up like crazy and still learn something new from it EVERY TIME I read it! It’s awesome! (My favorite part is your signature on it!)
Sarah laplant
April 5, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Stacy I’m 12. I love and dedicate my whole life to riding and horses. I love my best friend which are my horses. I love watching you ride you are amazing and you are my idol. One day I hope and dream of meeting you. 😘