I read a quote once that went something like this: “Life is not fair. Once you accept that- you will appreciate the good times when they are here.”
I will remember Vaquero like this:
This is a picture of his neck x-ray. If you follow the line that runs through the bones –that is his spinal column. If you look from the right side of the photo and move left you will see a bony finger that sticks into the spinal column. It is a bony, arthritic growth that sometimes happens in horses and is considered a growth defect. Not caused by injury, etc. just the way he grew.
A couple of years ago we decided to geld Vaquero. We made that decision for HIM. As a stallion he spent his life alone and couldn’t be turned out with friends (he drove them crazy). So we gelded him even though we knew he would go on and win. And he did go on and win. He was shown three times bridleless and was undefeated. And by gelding him we lost the money we could have made. And I never regretted it because he got to play with his friends like in this video:
This decision was even harder than that one but again we know it was for HIS best.
Vaquero May 18, 2005 to May 7, 2012
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My deepest sympathy. Thank God his time here he was obviously loved very much.
You are the most courageous horsewoman I know….to have the courage to let Vaquero go…..my deepest sympathies.
I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this again and so soon after Roxy. My prayers go out to you and your family. You’re an inspiration to so many people; not just your wonderful horse training and riding abilities, but how you treat the sometimes star-struck people that meet you at events. May your next great horse be healthy well into retirement.
I was so excited to see you both at Equine Affaire this year (my first year)! I can’t tell you how much joy you and Vaquero have brought to others. May God bestow special care and blessings to you and your family during this time of tragic loss.
Stacy: I am so sorry for your loss of Vaquero…..These decisions are the hardest even tho we know it was the best….it’s heartbreaking…..Having to do this myself with my half Arab I really do feel your pain and loss……….Judi
i’m so sorry for your lost,so sad
I am so sorry Stacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. They may not be here in the flesh but I think Roxy is showing Vaquero the way around heaven and they are here in spirit!
The quote is so true. We feel so fortunate when these noble creatures come into our lives. They give us so much…and carry us on so many paths of growth. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry.
I just watched your Titanic ride on Vacquero at Congress again (through the tears) and it struck me how perfectly fitting the words were!! Near, far, wherever you are….he will always be in your heart…and your heart will go on. What an awesome and moving tribute that ride was destined to be!!!! God works in such amazing ways!!
Oh, Stacy, I’m so sorry! It’s a hard decision but the only one that could be made under the circumstances.
I thoroughly understand as I’m facing the same decision within a couple of weeks for my 16 year old cat, Meep.
I’m with you, life isn’t fair. My deepest sympathy. I cannot even try to imagine how devastating this was so close to Roxie. But I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and surely you will find some comfort soon when the reason is revealed to you. Prayers are with you.
Stacy and Jesse, I am so sorry about Vaquero!! Your text message caught me completely off guard and I replayed in my mind that February day when Roxy passed. Such a painfull decision. Have peace knowing that it was the right one and Vaquero and Roxy are together in a much better place! They both Loved you!! Take care and we’ll talk soon,
He didn’t even want to eat treats at the end. Imagine Roxy or Vaquero not eating treats:(
Sad day! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
So sorry to hear this. Hang on the memories and he will live forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
Grief will someday pass, but the greatness of your partnership will endure forever in the memories of so many. Bless you for giving the gift of compassion to your friend. I wish you comfort and peace.
” Certainly, grief is the price we all pay for love”, Gretchen Jackson said. On the loss of her great Kentucky Dery winner, Barbaro. Stacy and family I am so sorry. Your Congress videos have always had me in awe and tears in my eyes.
I am so sorry for your loss of such a great horse. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today.
Stacey , you have been through so much this last few months .there are SO many people thinking of you , praying for you . I heard yesterday about a very close friend who is waiting tests at the moment as her legs have stopped working . She said ( which is a little similar to your post) only when you have been sick can you really appreciate good health ..
I’m so sorry and so sad about Vaquero , RIP
God only gives us what we can handle, unfortunatly right now you may be asking, “Lord, really how much more?” The thing is your a special person who was put in Vacquero, Roxie, and many other horses to come lives. Horses get chosen by people, but I truely believe the Lord allowed these horses to choose you to be that one human in their life that showed there can be a bond between human and equine without ever speaking a word. Your a special woman to many, my heart and prayers are with you and your family. At least you know they are grazing in the heavenly grass waiting to see you again one day.
Stacy, My heart is so heavy for you and your family. I believe God has his hand on our lives and will see us through everything! Someday we will know why. ~~~PRAYERS~~~
So sorry Stacy…life has not been very fair to you or the horses lately 🙁 RIP Vaquero
I feel for you! Losing a Horse is like losing a child!
I’m so,so sorry. Wonderful horse. You did what was right for him once again.
Once again I have no words to comfort. Both ypu and Jesse ard great stewards. Just keep it in ypur heart that the Lord has much greater plain,and the ministry that ypu habe created because of ypur success with two outstanding aanimals is next to none..
I can not tell you how sorry I am for your lose to have lost 2 in such a short time. I can not Imagine what you are going through . I lost my best friend of 24yrs on x-mas morning, and to this day I still find it hard to talk about him and get a lump in my throat when people bring him up to me.. I never thought it would be so hard to get over his lose. so my heart so goes out to you..
I am so sorry for the loss…….
I am saddened by your loss and hope that the warm support of all his (and your) fans helps you make it through this difficult time.
Ms. Stacy – my sis (Noni)” introduced” me to ‘Stacy Westfall’ & your training/riding skills some years back -together, we attend your clinics; I have always been amazed at your graciousness, skills, love of the animal, sense of humor, & FAITH . As have many- I have been following Vaquero’s journey and today – I weep, as I reviewed the bridleless ride & read your note. Such difficult decisions have burdened your heart lately-yet, our Jehovah Jireh knows your every hurt – Lifting up you & your family in my thoughts & prayers. Joyce Miller, RN
So very sorry for your loss. Your special gift and wonderful horses touch more lives than you’ll ever know. We had the opportunity to meet Vaquero several weeks ago when you visited Missouri, he was such a happy, wonderful horse. Praying for you and your family.
So sorry to hear you had to say goodbye to another of your friends so soon, Stacy, but than again it would never be easy! You have once again shown your deep love, strength and courage by making this very painful decision and I hope knowing that you did what was best for him helps you in these sad hours… Thinking of you!
Wow I saw your other videos first of him trying to come out of the stall. I didn’t realize you had lost him. So sorry for your loss. 🙁 What a wonderful partnership you lost.
Stacy, my heart is aching for you but I want to share something with you that I hope you will find as encouragement. I was praying for you and Vacquero yesterday and all that you’ve been through lately. I asked God why this had to happen with Vacquero, especially so soon after Roxie. I don’t always get a definitive answer from God … but this time I did. He told me that He gave you an awesome gift in teaching others how to train these awesome creatures with gentleness, respect and kindness. You set the example for how willing a horse can be to do anything you ask, when you ask it in that way, instead of in cruelty and manhandling. He said that there will be many out there who will take your examples with Roxie and Vacquero and say that you just happened to have a really special horse to achieve that. Or that it was an isolated success. And I’m sure there’s a measure of truth to that. But He told me that He needs for you to keep going and by achieving these amazing results with more horses, you will be able to show the doubters that it really is in how they’re handled. He is using you, Stacy, to help end the abuse that other horses are suffering out there! I debated wether it was too early to share this with you but I know you have a great Faith. I pray that you will get some comfort from knowing that God is in control and is VERY pleased with you!!! By the way, your titanic ride on Vacquero at Congress was the very first time I saw you ride and I will NEVER forget how happy you BOTH were!!! I love you! HUGS & PRAYERS!!!!!
losing a good friend is always hard.
so sorry to hear that you had to let him go.
big hugs to you and your family!
My heart is breaking as I have been reading your daily post… LIVE ISN’T FAIR but you have been blessed in many ways… Continue your great horsemanship and I will continue to enjoy…
I am so sorry for your loss. God bless.
First Roxy and now him…I am so sorry for your loss…it has been so much….he is in a better place now
Stacy, I can only hope that the thousands of supporters you have will comfort and inspire you half as much as you have inspired us. We share your sadness and will keep you in our prayers.
the support is amazing, thanks to all
I had heard about Roxy but came across your blog and to hear about Vaquero breaks my heart. I remember seeing the video of you and Roxy that was for your father that passed away and couldn’t stop crying. Then to watch your video of you and Vaquero, tore my heart apart. I can’t imagine what you went through watching him in that condition. Watching you with horses just amazes me, I wish I had that special bond with all my horses. God Bless you and help you through this difficult time.
Amy
You and your family are in my prayers, so sorry that your heart is hurting. You’ve been in my prayers all weekend. I know God is carrying you through this difficult time and will continue to hold you close as you grieve this loss. Prayers of strength and healing for you and your family.
Thank you for so publicly doing the right think for this horse and the others. It gives us courage when it comes to making similar hard decisions.
God bless you as you mourn the loss.
So very sorry for your loss. You did the right thing. He is running free now. He had a good life with the Westfalls.
Words cannot express how sorry I am for you and your family Stacey. My heart breaks for you. ~Hugs~
All of us who have made this same decision are right there with you crying for your boy and for your heart break.. Memories of my own welling up inside me with mixed emotions of loss of a special friend and joy for those great times spent. Gone but certainly not forgotten. Hugs and prayers your way.
I am so sorry… I cry with you. Our hooved friends leave an incredible hoofprint in our hearts that I believe will remain forever. You are right … life is not fair, but God does grant us some wonderful moments in time that we can cherish and keep in our hearts. How does that go? Don’t be sad it is over, but rather, be glad it happened. I will p.s. that with please never lose your love and passion for horses, Stacy … you were as great a gift to Vaquero as he was to you.
Stacy and family – am blown away by this … have been anxiously following your blog and am so sorry he has been lost. The hardest things to do are sometimes also the best things to do,.,,, thanks for sharing this special horse with us… may God bless …
I am so sorry for your loss. Vaquero was an amazing boy, and he knew he was loved. Know that he is pain free and running through the fields of Heaven now. My family and I will keep you and your family (both human and equine) in our prayers.
I am so sorry, the heartache has to be overwhelming. I admire you for having the strength and courage to let him go, I frequently pray that when the time comes, I will have the courage to do what needs to be done for my equine friends. “Life is not fair!”. Praying for your comfort!
It is so hard to make decisions that we know in the long run are best for our 4 legged friends…in the end you’ve made the wisest decision..I know your heart is breaking but then again I know you will see your good friend again.. He and Roxy are frolicking in a paddock in Paradise..They are part of God’s Creation which someday will be resurrected….Paradise lost will be Paradise restored and with all my heart I do believe we will see our animal friends in that restoration…my heart and prayers go out to you and your family….praying peace in the midst of your storm….
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so painful to lose our 4 legged friends. They mean so much to us. I have so much respect for you for doing what was right for him. Our animals depend on us for everything and you did the best thing for him when he was depending on you the most. I am so glad to have been able to see him perform… What an amazing horse. He won’t be forgotten. Hugs
ps. thank you for posting about him playing with his buddies… 🙂
I am so very sorry for your loss..He was a lucky boy to have been so loved, you did what was best for him..that can be very difficult, you are a brave woman, your Father would be so proud of the girl he raised..God bless you & your family