Good Morning to my DEAR FRIENDS,
I hope all of you are having a wonderful Saturday. I am doing GREAT! Yesterday I asked Sarah to bring some TREATS for my guys, Charles, Todd, Andy and all of the others, here at my KY Barn. She and her family have lived in KY for quite some time, thus, she knows all of the FABULOUS GOODIE places. Well, she stopped by Magee’s Pastries (she says it is the best in town) for some special breakfast goodies for them. They looked yummy and were a big hit!
Also, the people who work here at Lane’s End are now trickling in to see me. I am beginning to meet everyone who works here at the farm. It is really fun! They also told me they are reading the Diary each day so I am really working hard to keep everyone up-to-date.
I am continuing to go outside and become more and more acclimated to my new environment. I have to be honest…it is so much fun! Each day, I am becoming so much more comfortable and relaxed in this gorgeous setting. So many of the things are just like CA…I have a barn cat (same color as one at Shirreff’s Barn) named Kitty. They tell me he has been here for quite some time…and he really likes me. I have gorgeous trees to look at and beautiful geese by a pond close to my new paddocks. It is splendid! I just stand and stare at this beautiful setting for hours!
As you know, each day is baby steps to help me to feel more and more relaxed and comfortable. I know several of you have asked why I am wearing a lip chain now and then in some of the photos. I consulted with Dottie and John so I could properly explain this to you. Bottom-line, it is just for my safety and well-being.
Since farm life is new to me and I am really excited and want to explore all of the areas of my new environment, I need a bit of structure at first to be sure I do not do too much too soon. In truth, if left to my own thoughts…I’d probably rush around and skip too many steps…which would not be in my best interest. So, it is applied just to remind me to settle down. Per John, “the way we are using it with me is just a mild way of reminding me to be careful and relax…not to jump around where I could step on or hurt myself.” Since I was 2…this would be done every so often when a new setting was being explored by me…not often but when needed to PROTECT ME. Once I was comfy and everyone knew I was fine, it was immediately removed. The same thing is happening here now.
I respect the fact that my handlers want me safe and this mild little reminder makes ME focus on my safety. Like I said, it is only used briefly and then when I have my focus and am really paying careful attention to what I am doing…it is removed.
John said to tell you it is like a gymnast learning to do a balance beam activity etc. They use the ropes at first to be sure the person does not fall and get hurt. It is simply for safety.
Each day, I really making great progress…if I say so myself. I must be really, really honest…I know girls do not like to talk about their weight…but I am one really big girl (Dottie said we can say 1200 pounds ‘ish’). Thus, I am very, very, very strong and I am feeling great. So, all of the things are being done for my complete safety. I understand this and deeply appreciate the fact that my handlers want me safe and happy. I am so fortunate people care so much about ME! Thank you for also wanting me safe!
I wish all of you a wonderful weekend. There are some great races and games going on the next few days. I do love SPORTS! (Oh, maybe that is because I am one terrific athlete.)
Enjoy you day!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL~
Z
Sarah Powell
Good to know that John is still there supervising care – that fact alone makes everyone feel better. I have 11 horses and safety for them (and me) is top priority. As a previous poster stated “we’re all just a bunch of mother hens” where Lady Z is concerned – don’t know what about her makes us all feel that way – I guess that’s what makes her so very special!! Take very good care of her.
Leslie
Happy Saturday sweet Zen! I’m glad you are having fun and doing well. Thanks for the post! I love hearing from you.
I don’t have a facebook account. Are photos and videos going to be posted here too? I hate to miss out. Thanks!
Love you,
Leslie
Robyn Mullhausen
Awwww, Zenny, thanks for another wonderful post. Silly me, worrying about the chain. You and your “peeps” at Lane’s End with soon be use to each other so you can go back to not having anything in your mouth. Probably not long from now, especially when the weather improves, you will be able to frolic in a pasture and enjoy being a horse! I’m sure you are being pampered to the utmost and better than most humans. You deserve every minute of it. Do you have your eye on any “boyfriends” yet?? Take your time…be choosy. ;)
Sue
I forgot to tell you, Zen..I was curious about the sleep habits of the equine group, so on line I went & was astounded to learn you girls only sleep 3-4 hrs. every 24 hrs. Wow!!! Well your barn mates are going to be some very happy girls at night, as you’ll have sooo many stories to tell them,filling these long, cold winter nights. What a lucky group they are to have you !!
XXXOOO Sue
nancy
Glad your doing wonderful. You should see if Dotti or ? can get some photos up on here. Alot of us are missing out on photos of you. Keep your post up as much as poss. we look forward to them all the time. We are still missing you out West here in CA, I guess we always will.
Patricia
I just love you more & more each day! Thanks for all of the feedback from John about your care & handling. As John stated in one of his interviews, “communication” is KEY & thanks for extending that courtesy to Zenyatta’s beloved fans…we REALLY do appreciate it & love the BIG GIRL so dearly.
Zenyatta-you are very strong & sensible! Yes, I once fell on the ice & “ouch” it hurts & the last thing we need is you to injure yourself! Stay safe sweet one & our best to each & everyone that loves you like I do!
Henrietta Wolfe
One terrific athletic. You are being way too modest. You are THE ATHLETIC OF FOREVER! For 1200 (ish) pounds you look fabulous and then some. I am beginning to feel better because you sound as though you are getting use to your new home. That comforts me. To be honest Zenyatta I can’t get you off my mind, which is ok. I so want the best for you and I know that is happening. The people there watching over you will do all they can because I know they are already in love with you. The whole world is in love with you. We are all so privileged to know you and love you. You are, My Sunshine! I have said it before and I will say it again, Zenyatta, You are, SIMPLY THE BEST!!! xoxox
sue w
Hi Zennie…tell Dottie we re all so happy she continues to be the best secretary ever. I have learned so much from following you…I had no concerns about anything your new friends at LE are doing….it’s obvious they are first class folks and know how to threat the horse of the century…YOU! I am also so happy that Mr. Farish said you can have visitors once you have completely settled in. I sue hope they will be prepared for the hundreds…opps, thousands who want to see you. Take care, big girl. All of us love you to pieces.
Pam Zacek,
hello Lady Z, glad your so happy, never doubted the carefulness of those that love you to take good care of you.. You sure deserve it, and a great weekend, as for the chain, and the explanation from John, now I understand that one, as I used to do the gymnatic thing, and I never concure that balance beam, but used the safety, exquipment, for our own good, so no big problem, and heck, you got sprit, and we all know, you would rather, run, then stand around all day, or just jog here and there, but this is good, and when you settle down, out to graze, with the other horses I bet.. have a good saturday, if your going to watch some sports, catch the Army and Navy game, lots of fun, and lots of sprit, in that one, just like watching you run.
Debbie
love you Z! and love hearing from you!! xo
nancy
Juat saw some of your photos at Lanes End though Blood Horse, I think I will order some of them. I hope they keep putting up photos so we can keep an eye on you. We are so very protective of you Z LOL!!!, You look so happy. I do have to say however it is so odd not to see Mario walking with you. Have a good day sweet girl.
Wendy
Bloodhorse.com has a couple of great stories and winter pics of you, that I enjoyed and copied this morning since I am keeping all of your stories in a word file. You look happy, and in good hands. Good luck. I love you.
Kathryn Cogswell
Hey, Zenya` ~ Just wait `til the other mares show you a right-hand, clock-wise turn! You’ll love the ‘no corners’ of your fence lines, and it looks like you have some hills there, and not just ‘flats’ to lope on. My horses LOVED that. ~ One year, ‘M’ even rolled uphill! He was so surprised! I knew that was going to be a good year. Thanks for the charity work — the halters, paintings and auctioned things you give to benefit horses off the track. And tell David congratulations for his work for ‘Race For Education.’ It make ways for the children of track workers to enter college. Thanks for everything, Big Girl. Hugs & smiles.
Leslie
Thanks again for all your work on making these posts, pictures, and videos for all of us! I know no one would ever hurt you but it’s nice to understand the lip chain. I never thought it was hurting you but I guess some people have. That’s nice of you to explain how and why it is used anyway for those people who had questions.
You are so nice to your fans… You’re so beautiful Z and I love hearing about you and seeing you. You have a great weekend too… I think about you often.
Barbara
Thank you for the wonderful explanation, I used to use the chain on my warmblood if he was feeling frisky. I am so glad that your caretakers are so concerned about you! It helps us to feel better hearing about your activites! Love you Big Z:)))
Linda
I understand the chain. What I don’t understand is all the pictures of you walking outside without a blanket. Your handlers always have on big puffy coats. You have a California hair coat. Don’t they think you get cold? If they need a coat, you need a blanket.
Kim Curtsinger
You silly girl! Love your posts Zenny. Girls must be sly about their weight. I’m not worried about you at all. I really believe Lanes End knows what they are doing. They’ve had a mare or two at the farm. Watch out for the bad weather coming. Last year is snowed every weekend here. Hope that doesn’t start repeating itself this year. Can’t wait to read Sunday’s post. Please give Dottie & John my love and appreciation when you talk to them next.
Jan
Thanks to all for explaining the use of the lip chain. You know we are all so worried and anxious about our magnificent girl and her transition. Safety first of course. The daily posts are appreciated. Thanks to all of you Team Zenyatta and Lane’s End. We can’t know enough about Z and can’t see enough video’s. Zenyatta is an inexplicable phenomenon. Luv to all.
Margaret
Sweet Z how happy I am that you are doing well. A few days ago people were going crazy because no diary update. I figured two things out–someone didn’t bring a laptop along and/or maybe the Team was just a bit busy making sure all was well for you. Either way I knew that no news was good news.
Soon you’ll be able to go out and have fun skipping around your new paddock. I hope we get some pics of that. How weird will that be? Running free with no one telling you this or that? You be safe young lady.
I’m still hoping you will consider running for POTUS in 2012. Or consider being the figurehead if I can find a way to start a new “party” (politicial talk which is boring) called the Carrot Party.
Oh and Zennie if we get our own pictures of you can we sell them at auction to help benefit charities like The Cloud Foundatuion? Do we need to get releases? Can you ask John for help with that? Or maybe Ann? I hope I don’t have to come all the way to KY to get your hoofstamp of approval! that’s a bit out of my price range right now.
sue w
Zennie…please tell Dottie we send good thoughts and wishes to your friends at Barn 55. They started us on a wonderful journey with you. To your new pals at LE…thanks for taking such good care of our Queen Z!
Bonnie MacRaith
Oh, Zenyatta! Your grammar and spelling are impeccable! Is there no end to your talents, think not! Sounds like everyone is doing things just right for you…good to be safe than sorry as the saying goes. You have to have the foundation first before you build on and that’s what you’re getting right now, a good foundation at Land’s End.
Love, Love, Love and Kisses,
Bonnie
Amber
Love it!And It is awesome that the diary posts are still gonna be made ;)
Linda Bulger
one BBW (big beautiful woman) to another BBW it is not how much you weigh but what you do with it. I see some pretty skinny mares in my time and they could not hold a candle to us BIG girls. Love ya Zen you are the Queen.
Sara Rhudy
Love your updates, Z! Please keep posting them….love even more that you are happy & safe!!! And have lots of new friends & people who love you!! xoxoxo
Boo
Hi Z! I am Boo. A quarter horse appendix. I live in Santa Barbara Ca. I just had to get used to all of the open spaces at my new house too. You are so brave. I saw a video of you putting your feet in the snow. I would have juped to the moon, but you were just fine. When I first saw the WIDE OPEN spaces at my new place, I got really scared. I felt like I could be an open target out there. Now, I am so happy, and I play, and eat, and roll on my back in the sun. It’s so much easier at first with the lip chain. You are soooo lucky to have John. He takes such excellent care of you. Panicking sucks. Staying focused feels so much better. Soon you will be settled in.
By the way, my mamma is the worst rider in the world. She falls off of me sometimes. She cannot canter because I won’t. I’m afraid she will fall so I just trot. I am glad she doesn’t get to ride you!! but she sure does LOVE you!!!!! She talks about you all of the time, and she shows me your pictures. I kiss your nose on the page. You are so pretty.
Love Boo
xo
Elena Erdman
Good Morning Zenyatta.. glad John explained the lip chain.. I knew he had a reason for it and so now I know more about lip chains and what they do… I am learning a whole lot from Dottie’s postings, it is so much fun.. a cat, there you go.. I have four cats, two are my own and two belong to my son.. they are so funny.. has kitty cuddled up to you yet? at least you did not get a goat like Seabiscuit did? in the movie Seabiscuit threw the goat out of his barn… that really made me laugh, the goat made noises all the way out..
So you like to look at trees, so do I, they are so relaxing and so pretty.. I like to see how they move in the breeze, they just sway so prettily.. wow you are hand walked, how awesome is that? Your pictures are gorgeous.. Can’t believe how beautiful your dappled coat looks with the snow surrounding you and the trees, it is like a wonderland, and it is a wonderland, Queen Z is there.. thank you all for explaining horse stuff to us.. now tell us what she eats.. those goodies from the bakery sounded good. Have a great weekend and keep talking with us, as you can tell we all love it and look forward to your positive and exciting news and it makes us all feel really good and happy.. I love you..
Heather S
These diary entries are really great – a very fun way for Z and the connections to stay in touch with her fans…I’m glad she’s doing well and getting used to the life. You are fabulous, Z!
Zebby the Mule
Hello Zenyatta! I was named after you by my ‘family’ who went to all of your races this year and visited you at Barn 55! I am the same size and color as you (oops, except I weigh 1400 lbs!) but 2 years younger. Also, I am a mule so I have much longer ears, it would take a lot of cotton! I also use the chain for now when I am out in new places so that I can remember to listen and stay safe, but like you said it does not hurt or bother me. I also dance, but my family says I will never be as fast as you! They all love you very much and said to send their love to you in KY~
Sylvia Whittaker-Butler
Hi Zenyatta!! I am glad you are sharing with us about your new place. I know it’s a nice farm, & I know they will take good care of you. It is gonna be an adjustment but you will be fine, you are a smart girl!!
Kathryn Cogswell
New video? Is there an address? I found an old one of the first day or so; now can’t even find that. Glad it’s somewhere, any who.