Stacy Westfall recites poem at Weaver Congress Freestyle 2013-video & written poem

I’ll lend you for a little while my grandest foal, He said.Screen Shot 2013-10-26 at 3.54.51 PM
for you to love while he’s alive and mourn when he is dead.
*
It may be one or twenty years, or days or months, you see,
but will you, till I take him back, take care of him for me?
*
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
you’ll have treasured memories as solace for your grief.
*
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught on earth I want this foal to learn.
*
I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, with trust, I’ve chosen you.
*
Now will you give him total love, not think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come here to take him back again?
*
I know you’ll give him tenderness and love will bloom each day,
and for the happiness you’ve known, forever grateful stay
*
But should I come and call for him much sooner than you’d planned,
you’ll brave the bitter grief that comes, and someday, understand.

37 Comments

  1. Leanne on November 9, 2013 at 11:06 pm

    Last year I too lost my beloved mare suddenly, and in a freak accident. For 16 years Fate and I shared a bond few could possibly understand. Thank you Stacy for sharing this poem and your heartache over losing Roxy in this difficult way.

    I relate to your hesitation to even try to love another horse. After all, it is just so painful! However, I do quietly hope to one day find the vulnerability necessary to give myself fully to another horse and for that horse to trust me and find me worthy enough to do the same in return. Right now though, it just seems impossible.

  2. justforlovefarmandstables on November 7, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Stacy, I borrowed this poem to place in a post of my own. I absolutely love it and it is very fitting because the story of this horse is short as he passed as a 6 month weanling. He was one of our first babies born on our farm and his loss was very tragic to us. Any how to see the full story of this pony check out my blog at http://www.justforlovefarmandstables.wordpress.com.

  3. Carmen on November 6, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    My 10 year old daughter and I just lost our horses to a freak flash flood in TX. This poem gives us some peace.

  4. Anita on November 6, 2013 at 8:07 am

    I am 76 and my beautiful, loving and faithful Quarter Horse mare is 34 and we are both doing well.
    We’ve been together since day one. I purchased her mom in foal and have been blessed with both of them.

  5. J2B on October 31, 2013 at 10:47 am

    Loosing my 5 yr old last year was the first time in my 33 yrs I have ever had to put a horse down that was not failing in health due to age. This poem sums it up completely. He was given to us by his breeder because he was so quirky and I had already started his equally quirky sister successfully for someone else. It’s amazing how god picks us to own certain horses. When I got him no one wanted him just before he left us everyone wanted him.

  6. Karrie on October 29, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    Thank you for sharing so much with all of us!

  7. Stephani Owens on October 28, 2013 at 11:39 pm

    I will never understand, my precious beautiful Mr. Peppy filly was taken and in pain before she was a year old and we still don’t know what killed her. I don’t understand at all. I never will, I just hope she greets me at the Rainbow bridge.

  8. Bobby LeAnn on October 28, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    I cried while I remembered 4 grand horses I have lost, Maggie May,SoGo, Parson, & Judy. I thought ahead to the day I well lose my current horse Lena. Thanks for sharing.

  9. notsomodernblog on October 28, 2013 at 12:23 am

    Absolutely beautiful. Definitely a tear jerker. It seems that God needed a lot of good horses back last year. I lost my Zippo Pine Taylor mare last year only a couple of months after having a miscarriage. She was such an amazing horse. Arguable, the best horse I’ve ever owned. I never thought one person could hurt so much. It hurt for a long time. I still have anger and regret when I think back on it. But it’s taught me not to take my remaining horses (and life in general) for granted. I don’t want to lose another one and be left wishing I had ridden them more. I haven’t shown for the last few years. Hopefully 2014 sees us both back in the show ring.

    • Stacy on October 28, 2013 at 7:16 pm

      Sounds like a plan-lets do it!

  10. Gina on October 27, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    I’ve got a 25 year old gelding that I started when I was a freshman in high school. I took him to college with me. He helped me make a name for myself starting colts and training on older spoiled horses. He has helped me though high school, college, marriage, becoming a mother and recently started both of my kids in their love of ranch life, moving cows, roping and their junior rodeo careers. I nearly lost him to two Russian Olive thorns in his coronary band 2 years ago. He is my ‘Roxy’. Although he can’t give me foals to continue on with, he has given my and my family soooo much. I am so glad he was loaned to me. I was the chosen one and thank my lucky stars that I was! Bless you for sharing your love with the whole world to see. Wonderful for me to see such a well known horseman as yourself showing us your vulnerable side…that you have a heart that breaks for those horses you train and love.

  11. Terry Bolduc on October 27, 2013 at 11:10 am

    Oh Stacy, Thanks for making me cry, T.

  12. Jane Crowley on October 27, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Thank you so much for posting this! I will never forget the first time I saw you ride bridleless on Roxy. I sat all by myself in the stands and cried! It just hit me and I had no control – just wept! Then feeling a bit self-conscious, I looked around me and noticed that everyone else was crying as well! I have never been moved like that before. You are truly an inspiration and remind us all that it is all about the relationship. Thanks so much!

  13. Brenda on October 27, 2013 at 10:24 am

    copied from I will Lend You A Child of MIne BEAUTIFUL

  14. vaes romain on October 27, 2013 at 5:08 am

    mooi dat je uw kennis wil delen .cucses verder. g r romain

  15. Breeanna doty on October 27, 2013 at 1:17 am

    I loved it so much I am crying and I don’t cry much!!!!!

  16. Judy Campbell on October 26, 2013 at 10:21 pm

    An aspiring poem read by an aspiring person! Thanks!!!!!

  17. Sandie on October 26, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    Absolutely beautiful, , so well said and so very true. I had a vet tell me almost the same thing when I had to put one of my babies down. Just when things look bleak and you just can’t go on,, stop, feel the love you were given and fly with it! Ride tall in the saddle and reach for the love,,

  18. Melody Clark on October 26, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    Yup I am in tears. What a great poem and a wonderful way to look at things. I heard your voice crack a lil but you cowgirled up and did what you came there to do. Keep on ridin and makin your dreams come true.

  19. Bobbi Naylor on October 26, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    In tears! So sweet! And, omg, a red dun!?? Love my sweet Colonel! He is the BEST! And absolutely gorgeous. Is this one yours or a loaner?

    • Stacy on October 27, 2013 at 10:47 am

      I am riding Newt. I call him ‘Nephew Newt’ because his mom is Roxy’s full sister. Hopefully I will show him next year and he will start building a name for himself! He is a cool color. He is such a goof ball I forget he is beautiful until I see the video!

  20. Betty on October 26, 2013 at 8:49 pm

    well now I am all teared up and can’t read anymore..: )…that is beautiful…

  21. Dave Tate on October 26, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    Thank you Stacy fallowing you in the training of Jac is wonderful and i thank you so much for taking the time to video and blog it,. You have been an inspiration to so many over the years and we all endure your feelings with the loss of Roxy and your other horse. I have lost horses that were a part of me so i know well the feelings. God Bles you and Jac as you go forward in making him a world champion

  22. LaVonne on October 26, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    Your the best,

  23. Carolyn on October 26, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    So glad you posted the words to the poem. It’s a real tear- jerker, especially for those who have lost a vey special horse.

  24. Janet on October 26, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    Thanks.

  25. Jessica on October 26, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    I loved this presentation Stacy! Jac is so pretty, I enjoy the videos each week! What is the horse your riding name?

    • Stacy on October 27, 2013 at 10:46 am

      I am riding Newt. I call him ‘Nephew Newt’ because his mom is Roxy’s full sister. Hopefully I will show him next year and he will start building a name for himself.

  26. stormidnight on October 26, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    What a beautiful poem for any species, ever loved.

  27. Jeanine on October 26, 2013 at 6:36 pm

    Such beautiful words and sentiment. Both thought and tear provoking. Especially for those of us that have shared and felt that same kind of pain.

  28. stormidnight on October 26, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    What a beautiful poem for all who love another, of any species.

  29. Johanna on October 26, 2013 at 6:27 pm

    beautiful-!
    jac looks calm and attentive too!
    can’t wait to see more of your training and work with him; i have so enjoyed your video diary thus far-
    thank you for taking the trouble and time to do this-

  30. Charyl Murray on October 26, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    Geez Stacy you made me cry again…..I have a mare named Roxy and she has given me 2 beautiful babies. Just the thought of losing her makes me cry, I can’t imagine how much love you had for your Roxy, but if it is anything like mine for her, then I understand why it has been so hard for you. Good luck with Jac! Let him touch your heart….keep your chin up girl.

  31. Susanna Snell Addesa on October 26, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Stacy, I am a wanna be cowgirl with horses in my past, and I saw you at Equine Affaire in Ohio a few years ago. I watch your videos again and again, and I love how you share your expertise. I lost my horse to colic about 3 days before he was to be moved to the barn where he was going to be mine. My heart broke. Your loss of Roxy must weigh so heavy on your heart. I live vicariously through you and wish I could be in the saddle again. I am a very young 60 and don’t really want to go through that heartbreak and commitment…so I just watch you, and Jac! What a beautiful animal. The poem was beautiful! Watch you every chance I get! Roxy is watching too as you train her son!

  32. irisvillagegirl on October 26, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    I am so glad you printed the words to the poem! When I heard you recite it I cried! Such a wonderful poem! Blessings to you Stacy!

  33. Diana Pieters on October 26, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    Thank you for the poem! ♥

  34. deltamyhome on October 26, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Saw a video of you on the Ellen Degenerss show, awesome!

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