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

Train Your Own Horse with Stacy Westfall

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 natural default state, how that state influences outward behavior, and how training can help develop more thoughtful, responsive equine partners.

Key takeaways:

– The difference between raw instinct and thoughtful responses – What emotional regulation looks like in motion – How temperament plays into training outcomes – Why a horse’s reactions aren’t always what they seem

This is part two in a series on The Horse’s Mind. For a foundation on how physical behavior reflects a horse’s thinking, listen to Part 1: Episode 331.

To dive deeper, visit Stacy’s website and take the free quiz on the four quadrants of horse and rider development. The results will highlight where to focus next—and follow-up resources will guide your next steps.