Hello Everyone,
Wow…it is a bit chilly here…snow and all…but I like it!
I am so excited all of you are wondering what I am up to these days! Well, lots is happening…and ALL OF IT is FABULOUS! I am SO HAPPY!
On Tuesday and Wednesday, I had lots of things to get used to in my new ‘home’. The Moss’, John, Dottie, Steve and Mario all stayed to help me in this transition.
My new stall is great. I have a wonderful big window looking out to several large paddocks. I will get to go out and play in them once I am fully acclimated. The sun shines in my window…so even though it is cold outside…I have lots of sunshine and warmth. I also have a wonderful warm blanket that keeps me cozy.
Both Tuesday and Wednesday, they took me for walks in the barn. Then John took me for walks outside…getting me used to everything. There is a round area right outside my barn that is grass. (snow on top right now) It is about the size of my grazing area in CA. John would take me out there and let me walk for about 30 minutes each time…and then let me graze on the grass. (After I walked on it, the snow was moved aside and the grass ‘popped’ up.) The snow is fun…and feels great on my feet. The grass is lush and plentiful. It is terrific. Then I’d get to stand in the sunshine and just look around for a bit. It is beautiful here.
After this, I’d go in my stall. I’d get to eat and drink water, snack on a few bites of banana and carrots and spend some time with my new friends. This is so relaxing.
My barn here has about 8 other girlfriends for me to ‘hang out with each day’. They are all very nice and friendly. We chat back and forth and I see them out playing from my window. I will be able to join them soon…but I need to do things in baby-steps first to get ready for the bigger paddocks. It is really special…and all of my new friends are great…both horse and human. I’ll let you know about my new caretakers soon. They are very, very nice. Mario and John have spent a great deal of time chatting and working with them…my every need being discussed and met. LUCKY ME!
At 3 today (I’m on KY TIME NOW), some photographers are coming to the farm to take photos of me outside. Dottie has been working with Sarah (at Lane’s End) and our web-site people to help get photos and videos up for all of you so you can see me!
I hope you are well…and enjoy all of my updates.
I’ll keep you posted.
With Love,
Hugs~
Z
Cheryl
So glad to hear from you, I saw some photos of you and the snow on Daily Racing Form. I hope for you all the happiness that you deserve for many years to come. Lane’e End is very lucky to have you. Maybe they will even let us come and visit sometime in the summer. Stay Warm and know that you are always in our minds and hearts! There is ONLY ONE ZENYATTA!
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Today’s Blood Horse.com features an interview by Will Farish, written by Deirdre Biles, on Queen Z’s activities so far at Lane’s End. Another piece by Charles Campbell also includes alot of great photos of her being walked around outside. She’s all dappled-out & doing her “strut” in one of them. . . . Check it out.
Jenna
omg, what cute photos: http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/throughthelens/archive/2010/12/10/zenyatta-at-lanes-end.aspx
Sharon Call
Hey, Kathryn: The article was great and the pictures were very good. I will not order any of the pictures because I take strong exception to the lip chain on her. I totally understand that it’s a control issue, especially in a new place, on pavement and snow/ice. But, my questions is, according to Mr. Farrish Z is settling in beautifully and is no trouble at all. Then why don’t they wrap the chain around the noseband of her halter, like Mario always did, instead of across her gums. I never used a lip chain with any of my horses and only occassionally used a twitch for a very brief time. According to the brief article accompanying the pictures, the young man in the pictures with her is the Broodmare Manager. Perhaps he feels it’s necessary to use this rather extreme method of control, but I have never found it necessary even when handling stallions. I think an e-mail is in order to Mr. Farris and Mr. Campbell. This really ticks me off.
Alexandra Bowdoin
Dear Zenyatta,
I just saw the photos on Bloodhorse and you look Great! I see you still have your strut, keep that going girl. Thank you LE for posting the photos. I just might have to order one, your first time being walked in your new paddock! You are going to keep Charles rather fit I think with all this walking!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
sue
I loved all the photos on Bloodhorse.com and especially enjoyed the interview with Mr. Farish. Lane’s End absolutely knows how special she is…any worries we may have should quickly disappear. They are the experts and John and Mario spent a great deal of time discussing Zenyatta’s care with them. We should stay out of their business …she sure seemed happy and at home in those photos.
teetee
Sharon—
Agree with you. Lip chain is not NECESSARY!! It is being used not because of what “they think” Z may do, but rather their own nervousness about Z and their belief that all horses are created equal.
See attached youtube video below of Z with another trainer. She is gentle and TRUSTING of people. If you approach her like you don’t trust her, then our beautiful Z will eventually react accordingly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=967Exnk0zqU&feature=related
jo
Its sunny and warmer today in Versailles Im sure Zenny will get to graze more but i bet its real slippery in the paddocks.Thank you so much for all the updates. and sorry some of your fans feel they are entitled to say cruel things. Im sure the team is watching carefully and the Mosses would be there in a heartbeat if they thought something was wrong. She will be fine. She will teach the Lanes End Team a few things. Just take the time to listen and watch!
Kathryn Cogswell
Hi, Sharon: Did you go back to the BCC’10 “‘Z’ & Airplane” ‘She Flies In’ video? As she’s exiting the trailer, Mario has placed the chain over her tongue, going down the ramp, but as soon as you see her again on the grass, the lead is over her nose-band. Steve was inside with them. Though we mostly saw her shank over band, it may have been if other pics were more detailed, Mario’s use there was a preferred practice. Just glad to see her w/ Mario months before.
Delores
Hi Our Beautiful Queen Z. I am so happy that you are enjoying your new home. I am glad to hear that they are taking good care of you. I’m glad you are making new friends and you are doing okay with all the changes. I miss you and everytime I think about you being gone, it brings tears to my eyes and breaks my heart. I think your fans are the ones that are having a hard time with you being gone. I am happy for you and you will always be in my heart. I will be in Kentucky in May for the Derby and plan on going to see you, hopefully we will be allowed there. You take care and be happy our beautiful girl. Love you lots Z. Thanks for keeping us posted on what is going on with your new home.
Patricia
Hi All!
If you haven’t seen today’s article from LE, it is fantastic. There are lots of beautiful photos of Zenyatta with snow in the backdrop…she looks so lovely.
I think Charles Campbell just received an instant pass to stardom with all of the PR shoots they will be having, since he is Z’s primary walking companion. How glorious this must be for him as well.
In closing, as we are only two weeks away from the Christmas holiday, wishing the Mosses, Shireff’s and all of Team Z, new and old, a wonderful holiday season.
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Just watched the Facebook videos & read most of the comments about Post #26. I think some of us need to give her new “family ” a little break here. I personally don’t know any of these people & I’m sure most of you don’t either, but we all know that not everyone has a sparkling, outgoing personality or is gifted as a writer/journalist. Doesn’t make you a bad person. When was the last time you tried to write something “from the horse’s mouth”? Just look at the variety of prose styles on these posts. As for the humans in the videos. . . come on. I know I have been involved, (both sides of the lense), with some pretty embarrassing attempts at home videos that conveyed nothing but stupid, let alone make a clip that you KNOW will be viewed by thousands! Yikes. Let us not lose sight of the fact that these posts were designed to keep us up-to-speed on our favorite Big Girl, not to be judgemental about the writing & photography skills of others. I for one am very grateful to see the continuation of her diary as I thought it would be a thing of the past once she retired. Peace, Love, & Understanding to ALL.
Mary Alice Kier
Hello again Zenyatta – it’s great getting another post from you and all seems well and on track as you make your transition at beautiful Lane’s End. These are early days and it’s just like kids going off to college and leaving home. This is going to be such an exciting new chapter in your wonderful life as you will bring new life into being hopefully sometime next year for all of us to cheer. Meantime, in addressing still an aspect of your old life…I hope all your fans of this post have gone to the PETITION SITE AND VOTED YOU AS HORSE OF THE YEAR!! There are now over 5,700 signatures and it would be great to get to the 6,000 mark soon!!
Terri Penrod
We love ya Z. Look forward to your updates and the smile they bring to all us who read them. We love ya and can’t wait to come see ya.
Alexandra Bowdoin
In one of the pictures, Charles is really smiling! Good to see everyone relaxed and now really enjoying her personality! Please everyone, give the folks at Lane’s End at break. Our Z looks happy and healthy! Don’t forget, she is racing fit and it takes time to let her down. We all love her and worry about her.
Jeanenne
Queen Z – we are so glad you are here in Kentucky, we know you are being extremely well cared for and can’t wait to come see you whenever it is appropriate. Love you
Sharon Call
Hey, Teetee: I just looked at the link you posted to youtube and the trainer with her. Just wonderful!! This is wht Z is like when someone knows how to handle a horse. Hope the folks at LE get an opportunity to see this. It might give them a different perspective on her.
S
Glad to hear Z is getting acclimated! Knew you would. Sorry to hear so much cynisism from a few of your loyal fans. I, along with many other still believe the Mosses along with John and Dottie have your best interest at heart. I believe you will love being at LanesEnd. And… There is something to say about free time and beautiful surroundings! I am thankful that you have had great care and attention that has nurtured and allowed you to develop into the wonder you are. I believe it would have been “only about the money” if they had continued racing you for just the glory and almighty dollar. You have earned yourplace in the history books … You owe us nothing more…nor do your wonderful connections. Enjoy retirement, motherhood, green pastures and lots of caring Lane End people who will love you as much as we all do! You are Horse of the year and horse of a lifetime!
Patti Viola
So happy to hear from you, beautiful girl! You are outstanding! Thanks for the updates…really like seeing them. Hugs.
Sally Blank
I can tell that your family is making sure you settle in well. Wish I could be there to help out too, but they know what is best better than I. Stay warm and healthy Z!! love you
Melissa
Can’t wait to see some video of you running out in the pasture with your new “friends”. Thanks so much for the updates. We miss you here in California
Pre Medical
You really make it appear so easy together with your presentation but I to find this matter to be really something which I believe I might by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very wide for me. I am having a look forward to your subsequent submit, I will attempt to get the grasp of it!