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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So sad for you for the recent losses you’ve had of two great horses!
My heart is so sad for you Stacey but you have done the right thing by Vacquero it is always the hardest decision to have to make but I know God will give you the strength to continue with your great work and look back with pride at what you achieved with two beautifull horses and friends in Roxy and Vacquero both running free together
I have been following Vaquero’s story and this is just a shock. I am so sorry for you and your family. I have a 7 year old Mogan gelding, same age as your Vaquero, I cannot imagine such a young horse having to be put down. I would be devastated if I had to put my boy down. My best to you and your family.
I am so sorry thay you lost a wonderful partner. You will grieve for him but, keep the good memories fresh in your heart. Wishing for better days for you and your family.
I am so very very sorry for your loss. You did your very best for him, found the very best care and made difficult decisions in his best interest.
I am so sorry to hear the news. I pray that the Lord will comfort you and your family. I sit here with tears in my eyes because I know how much you loved him. He now has peace and will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Stacy, my heart is breaking for you, watching your ride to Celine there must have been a huge reason for choosing it as it is fitting for you & Vaquero today, what a tremendous athlete!
So Sorry he was amazing.
I’m so sorry Stacy! My heart hurts for you. I pray that the Lord will comfort you and your family and that you will have peace about this most difficult decision.
My name is Bob Duley. I do not know you, I’ve never shaken your hand, or the hand of Cox, Parelli, Anderson, McNabb, Cameron or any of the others that make their living through horsemanship. I follow all of you and at 63 with 46 years of experience owning, training and dealing with God’s greatest creature, you alone are the only clinician I’d like to meet. I am touched by your loss and I will be forever impressed by the respect, trust and commitment you paid to Vaquero. May God bless you and your family…….
To place your horse’s need for you to let him leave his failing body above your need to keep him with you – that – is the greatest and purest love.
– Cynthia Garrett
Rest In Peace Vaquero and God bless you Stacy for doing the right thing for him.
Stacy, I am so sorry for you loss of your horses. It isnt fair. Thankfully you have been able to make those very hard decisions and do what in the end was best for the horse, but that doesnt really make it much easier. Will keep you in our prayers.
Bless you and Godspeed to your partner
Stacy, I never met you or Vaquero but am with you now same as I was when you did your emotional ride on him that actually turned out to be about him in the end. We’re with you now, wishing you the best of times and more inspirational rides on more incredible horses that will show the world the kindness and respect you have for the horse. Its a rocky journey sometimes especially when they steal your heart so totally and completely. I hate that we become sooo attached to them sometimes. And it was all so soon, he had so much left to give and he certainly would have, with everything he had in him. You are so dedicated to the horse and the sport. Paula Walker, Western Dressage of Oklahoma
So very sorry to ready your post today. Our condolences to you and your family. Your performances were breath-taking and your partnership was inspiring. We hope that you will find comfort in knowing so many people care. And we laughed through our tears as we watched the video of the horses playing in the mud. Our Baily is a lot like Vaquero and our Misty is definitely a Popcorn wannabe, a mud pig who occasionally masquerades as a gray-white Arabian.
So terribly sorry. May his memory be a blessing.
<~3
No words-just know that our hearts are heavy along with yours…
I am so sorry to hear about Vaquero. Like your song choice says he is hear in your heart but your heart will go on. Losing a beloved animal is never easy but with time, it get easier to remember wonderful times they gave you. Losing two beautiful, special horses so close together and both young and unexpected must be terribly difficult for you and your family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. The very first reigning I ever saw at congress was in 2011 and I’ll always remember the depth of the amazement I felt watching you and Vaquero. Your performance at congress left tears in my eyes that night and to this day I can’t articulate how deeply I was touched watching the connection between you both during that performance.
I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed and will always be remembered. No one did it better in the bridleless.
Stacy – my heart goes out to you. I lost one last year and it was extremely painful, I can’t begin to imagine the pain of losing 2 so close together. I admire you for doing everything in your power to help him and then regardless of your pain you gave him peace and the freedom from pain he was in. Many are too selfish to go that route. I pray that you may find another partner in time, they can never replace the one that was lost but they can bring you new joy and new memories. Prayers my friend!
We are with you.
Sending prayers for comfort your way.
So very sorry for you loss Stacy..but at leas Vaquero is pain free now.
So Sorry Stacy, I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Please keep the faith; I know this seems like an awful test or dream, or something. Prayers for you and your family are going up all over.
Stacy, I’m soo sorry about Vaquero. You did the best thing possible for him. I will pray for you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. It’s obvious what a strong connection you shared with your buddy. I’m sure Vaquero’s spirit will be trotting alongside you as you heal from this tragic loss.
Stacy, I never had the pleasure of meeting you nor Vaquero but I’m so very sorry about your loss., Losing a horse is always difficult but losing a special one can be unbearable. I’m sending you prayers and hugs .
So sorry for your loss Stacy….He was one very special horse and he will live on in your heart and in everyones hearts that saw how talented and special you both were together……
I am so sorry for your loss. I know there can be no consolation in this but I actually just had to put my horse down and they were unsure of what was wrong. He too was negative for all tests but we were unable to do the x-rays and other testing but having watched the videos of Vacquero his symptoms looked identical. It was such a devastating decision because as you said my horse was also alert, aware and never went off feed even the last two days when he was down and couldn’t get up. I pray you can find comfort in the memories you have of your great horse. He was lucky to have you as well.
oh no–i am so sorry. this is heart-breaking, and i’ve never even met him..
it seems so unfair that the best animals are often the ones that are hit with the worst things/diseases. etc.
as a vet (albeit mostly small animal) i have found this to be the most heart-breaking and ‘unfair’ aspect of practicing.
God and the Universe are with Vaquero.
May Vaquero visit you often when you dream and at the times when you most need him.
RIP a truly amazing and wonderful horse.
i’m so sorry to hear of your loss!! 🙁
OMG I am so sorry for your and your husbands loss. I have so enjoyed watching the 2 of you perform. It was so beautiful. You and your horse were one. I am heartbroken for you as I have felt that pain. In your head you know you did the right thing by him but your heart just breaks from that decision. My heart goes out to you!!
Crying with you Stacy…
I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love and light to you.
So very sorry for your loss, we just went through something similar at Rood and Riddle back in November of last year. Our beautiful palomino, Tucker, had double basket neck surgery back in 2007. He had done great for 4 1/2 years. He became symptomatic again and we found after the milogram that one of the baskets had broken…we were devastated. We had to put him down and had him cremated. Again, thoughts and prayers are with you, our horses are forever a part of us.
Oh so sorry, it never gets any easier, but know that you made the right decision for your horse(s). I just watched the Congress run with tears streaming down my face and remembering my “best horse ever” that I had to put down,Hang in there, it will get better with God’s help. And please keep us posted, so glad you do that, helps all of us get thru thses rough times…..sending prayers and love to you all.
We are so sorry…..our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family…..
From Karen and Heather D.
Our deepest sympathies. I pray that your many memories of Vaquero help you during this time. I know the faith in God that you and your family have, will help to ease the pain of your loss.
Be blessed. Our prayers are with you.
Chris and Ida Marie Carlough
Rising Glory Farm
Wow, that was an amazing ride with him! That song and your performance was beautiful, but not as much as that hug around his neck @ the end! I of course cried just like most people do when watching that 🙂 I’m so very sorry for him leaving you too soon, but thankful you rode and trained him!
You don’t know me, but I’ve been following your videos and love watching you with your horses. I know your mom and knew your dad. My heart goes out to you, Stacy. Prayers for peace and smiles as you remember that beautiful creature.
So sorry Stacy. The good thing about this, if there is one, is that you did get to share lives with some great horses. I lost the two best horses I’ve ever had in a short time frame so I can feel for you and know there is a big hole in your heart. My sympathy.
Im so sorry for you, it’s just crazy, i love horses so much that i cry when other people loose thier beloved four legged ones, because i know how hard it really is. Remember that thet will always be there in our hearts no mather what.
What a tough decision. It’s hard to feel that it is right, but it is from our deep compassion of what is best for the horse, not us. Our sympathy to you and your family. It is amazing how our animals become such a part of us and our family.
Stacy, I am very sorry. Prayers up for you and your family and friends. I can imagine the horse family you have that is feeling the pain of loss. ((HUGS))
I was lucky to of seen him at the Springfield MO horsefest. Such a beautiful boy.
RIP Vaquero, you were one handsome horse.
Knowing the pain and heartbreak as I also lost both of my horses within the last year, knowing that they will be there waiting for us someday and running in green pastures again. Rood and Riddle are the best and I would send my horses to them again, know that you did all that you could…sending prayers for strength at this diffucult time.
Awww, Stacy. That is so hard. I know you did right but it doesn’t make the loss any easier. What a hard year. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Deepest sympathy on your loss.
Stacy, I am so very sorry!! My heart goes out to you and your whole family
Pat & John
enjoy your boy