Stacy Westfall

Stacy Westfall at the PA Horse Expo

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Stacy
• Westfall
• Horse
• Expo

[BourgeoisieBore]

How many extra feet do you need? They're an aid, not an extension. They're for more accurate cuing, not an extra 2 feet of leg with a rooster's spur. The leg is already there. A whip is an extension- it gets to the hind for a dressage rider or the front. Rowels, as Stacy is wearing in this video are for serious and accurate cuing and should only be worn by those who know how to use them- as aids. They are not an extension of the leg with the exception of a very tall or a very short rider.

[warriorcats101]

Stacey is awesome! She's my idol! And as Pat Parelli says, spurs are used as an extension of your legs

[Cristinabel7]

I agree with a lot of the comments made here. Stacy is an incredible rider and her horse is extremely relaxed and confident in herself and her rider. Spurs, just like strong bits, are tools of refinement, not abuse, unless you choose to use them as such (in which case, get off the horse and don't get back on until you know what you're doing). That is why GP dressage riders use double bridles, whips and spurs, often times. They are only for the most trained of horses. They are aids--tools.

[savvygirl19]

I think that if her horse disagreed with what she was doing.. it would really ark up. The fact that she can do this without a bridle and a light touch says it all! Stacy is a brilliant horsewomen.

[savvygirl19]

Well said batgirlluvrock! I don't think people understand this... Elevation of stride! A spur is another phase, and extension of the heel(so to speak) It should not be used to make the horse go and it should not be used in an abusive way.. though there are many people who use it for this. Some horses are so sensitive that you can't use spurs on them.

[batgirlluvsrock]

OMG! Spurs are not bad! They are essentially an AID and extension of the foot, if you know how to properly use them, they WILL NOT hurt the horse! And yes, you should give your horse a chance to only respond by leg, but if they don't respond, thats when the AID comes in.

[MANALOC1]

I have been training horses for years and my horses are amazing like hers but, i also use spurs, they are not for hurting they are an extention of your foot, and for direction only, i have never left a mark literally its just to help GUIDE a horse that may be a little off that day, i listend well to mine and know if they shouldnt be shown, she is a great rider, and trainer, if you only see hurting with spurs you are not looking in the right place!

[sbird2go]

Omg spurs are not just for getting the horse to go!

They serve a lot of purposes. Fot example, getting the horse to list its back.

And spurs aren't bad unless you don't know how to use them!!

(:

GO STACY!

[scottmiller75]

Stacy is a talented and great trainer, rider, and person... Stop trying to find fault with her- I'd like to see you try this. Spurs are not cruel, and niether is she.

[savvygirl19]

Wow some interesting comments here about spurs...

Beautiful vide! Spurs in my opinion, should not be used if your horse does not respond off your leg. Spurs should only be used for elevation of stride. Your horse can respond lightly off your leg if you give them the chance. I'm sure Stacey has a good reason as to why she uses spurs. She is after all... an amazing horsewomen.