Happy Tuesday!
YEAH…THANK YOU TOM AND JOHNNY!
I am so busy here with my new friends. Each day I am feeling more and more confident in my new surroundings and I get to stay outside longer and do a bit more. The lads here are getting me ready to be ‘free’ in the paddock soon. Each day, we are making headway towards this goal! It is exciting! I’ll keep you posted when it happens.
This morning a helicopter flew overhead while I was outside…and I did not even blink. I am used to BIG AIRPLANES flying above me. They flew in and out of Los Angeles International Airport all of the time while I’d be outside grazing at Barn 55. So this was a very normal occurrence for me!
Several of you have asked questions about MY SHOES. So I asked Dottie if we could give you an explanation about this to help everyone have a basic understanding of the process. She and I consulted with John so you would have the proper information.
When I left the farm and went to the Keeneland Sale as a yearling, I had on what is called TRAINING PLATES. These are shoes made of steel. They are a heavier, larger type shoe that is used to help a horse do basic training. (I also wore them at Jeanne Mayberry’s farm when I was there as a yearling and a newly turned 2 year old.) They handle the wear and tear of basic training very well…especially in the early stages. A thoroughbred race horse normally gets new shoes one time per month. Of course, individual differences do apply…this is just a baseline.
When racing, John would have me use ALUMINUM SHOES. This is a lighter-weight type of shoe and it can be tapered to a horse’s foot. Tom Halpenny was my blacksmith while racing. He is a lovely Irish gentleman who has worked in this field and been around many very accomplished race horses his entire life. Tom would work with John on my feet…and they would constantly be reviewing how my shoes would be customized just for my needs. This is a real skill and a blacksmith is extremely important to a horse!
After my last race, John had Tom take off my Aluminum Shoes (the ones I wore in the Breeders’ Cup Classic)…and put Training Plates (Steel shoes) on me. As I was still at the barn and doing some light exercise each day on the training track, the steel shoes were the best ones for my feet. They were perfect for this stage of my day to day activity. Additionally, they were another baby-step in getting me ready for farm life. I wore them to KY last week.
After a couple days at the farm, last Thursday to be precise, my shoes were taken off. NOW…are you ready for this…my blacksmith here at Lane’s End is the same person who took care of my feet years ago when I lived in Kentucky! His name is Johnny Collins. He is the same man who put on my shoes when I went to the Keeneland Sale in September, 2005! He took care of my feet when I was a little girl! Now, here he is taking off my shoes at the farm several years later. This is absolutely adorable! Johnny told me he’d been keeping track of me and all of my progress since then! It was so great to touch base with him, my first blacksmith, after all of these years! We had a blast sharing all of the FUN times since we last saw each other!
Now, I’m BAREFOOT (no shoes)…which is great for a horse at the farm. You are outside playing in the field, thus, no shoe issues/problems can develop! It is very safe! That is why I commented the snow felt so good beneath my feet…no shoes! It is fun! From this point forward, Lane’s End and Johnny will monitor my feet. My darling ’4 hooves’ will be constantly checked…and ‘trimmed’ as needed. FYI—-Trimming a horse’s feet…is like you trimming your nails and keeping them properly groomed and cared for as needed. The objective of ‘trimming’ is to keep the horse’s feet nice and healthy!
I hope this information is helpful.
Now…HOW CUTE IS THIS! Johnny is back taking care of MY FEET! I am still smiling about this. Isn’t it amazing how so many things in life go FULL-CIRCLE! I am so fortunate!
With love,
Hugs to ALL!
Z
muffin
How wonderful, Z! An old friend came right back into your life, unexpectedly. Isn’t wonderful when that happens? :)
Lots of love, Sweetheart! <3
Barbara
Thank you for this diary! Strange I was asking my friend this morning about what he thought your shoe situation is now! Wow! This is awesome!! I sent you a small gift today and I hope that you will like it:)) Love you Big Z!!!
Jean Lucus
Dear Zenyatta, how long will it be before you are barefoot and pregnant? We enjoy your posts and loved watching you race. In our eyes, you are the winner!
Nena Winand, DVM
Z, your trainer John S. and the Moss’ Agent, Dottie I., are amazing representatives of the racing community. The information that they help you provide to your fans is really great. It helps fans that may not have any direct experience with horses who are at the various stages of their racing careers, and post racing careers understand the horses’ needs and demonstrates how attention to detail can maximize their performance potential and their comfort!
Debbie
What a wonderful explanation of your shoes. Those last pair of racing shoes would bring a pretty penny! Maybe they should be in your museum. You’re the best. Thanks for caring about your fans. I/We love you.
Patty Smith
Thanks for all of the inside information, Zenny! I am so happy that you are enjoying your new “shoeless” life on the farm, and it’s great that you and Johnny Collins have been reunited! The R&R is well-deserved after your spectacular career and it is so nice that when doors close, new ones open! Can’t wait to see you running around free in the ZENtucky pastures!
Rhonda Clements
Love hearing all about what is happening with you sweet girl, I love being barefoot too. So I imagine it feels wonderful, I am so happy you are doing so well, a little bittersweet though the thought of never seeing you race again you are such a wonder. I am also glad to see you are still dancing even in the snow with bare feet it is wonderful Thanks for keeping us informed and even sharing the info and educating us all, Love you Z
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I am so glad to hear this. I knew they would do a great job at Land’s End because John would not have it any other way. I am so proud of you adjusting to your new life. You need extra special care Zenyatta because you deserve it and the ones that are lucky enough to take care of you are the fortunate ones! I love you, Zenyatta!
I send hugs & kisses from Alabama.
Love, Amanda
Kathryn Cogswell
Thanks about the helicopter, ‘Z’ — you’re a pro at overhead traffic.
Rachel
Thank you so much for keeping us updated on your new life!!It helps me not be quite so sad at missing you when I get to hear from you each day. I still can’t believe I got to meet you at Hollywood Park Dec 3. I was on vacation from Arizona and met you in your paddock and got to touch your neck and get my picture with you. I will cherish it always. I also made some new friends in California while I was there with you and we keep in contact now. I also got to meet Mario and Carment and tell them how much I appreciate them. I am sure you miss them very much and I hope they will be able to come and see you sometimes. Love you!!
sue
Love that barefoot and pregnant comment. Zen, it is because you are magical that such wondrous things keep happening to you….like your “childhood” blacksmith returning to your life….stay warm and happy!
Fran
Z, LOVED THE VIDEO OF YOU LOOKING FOR GRASS IN THE SNOW. YOU LOOK VERY HAPPY AND CONTENT AND VERY RELAXED. STAY WARM BIG GIRL AND LOTS OF HUGS TO YOU! GOOD THEY TAKE THE SHOES OFF SO YOU CAN FEEL THE SNOW! MAKES FOR VERY HEALTHY HORSE FEET! LOVE YOU BIG Z!
Diana Nix
Love you Zenyatta! Thanks to you and Dottie and now the crew at Lane’s End for keeping us informed about your day to day routines. Especially love all the videos and I share them with all my friends. Please keep them coming! You are one special girl who is loved by millions and no one could love you any more than me!!!
Henrietta Wolfe
I am learning so much from you. You are more intelligent than some people I know. (*_*)I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to hear from you because it makes me feel better. You are always on my mind. I have someone to travel with and we will be back to see you in the spring. You will have had a whole ton of visitors by then. You have touched my heart at a time in my life that I am sad. You have made sunshine for me. Zenyatta, you are magic. I will be waiting to hear from you again and will be reading all the articles that are still being written about you. You are so beautiful in all the videos. You have lovely long legs. (*_*) They are holding up you, “The Queen” xoxoxoxxo
Lori Stein
Our girl is barefoot, how cute. Just wait until you can roll around in the snow. Ask Dottie if you all can post videos on your posts when new ones come out, I don’t have facebook. I can’t wait to see you let off your lead for the first time, but only when your ready. You are probible just loving the cold weather. Wait until spring when everything smells so sweet and is in bloom. Enjoy yourself Dancing Queen!!!
Talk to you soon. Lori
Nancy
Enjoy the snow beneath you feet Zen……..relax time. You are going to make a wonderful Mama.
Lori Koellner
ZENNY, I am so glad you are enjoying your new and old friends. HAVE FUN IN THE SNOW. I LOVE YOU ZENYATTA. Love Lori XOXO…..
Jan Mitchell
Will we be graced with a picture of Johnny and the Lady perchance? Not only are these posts keeping us up to the minute with Z but have taken an educational turn which is really great. Thank you Dottie for writing these great posts. I hope I’m correct that it’s Dottie. I would love to see a picture and a name for all the new folks (to us) at Lane’s End. Who are they all and what are their jobs. Does someone stay with the horses around the clock at Lane’s End?
Lynette Lucas
Zenyatta – I’m so glad you are enjoying being barefoot and you got to reconnect with a old friend!!
Love you lots!!! Hugs and kisses to you from Roswell!!!
Gloria
Oooh, Big Mama Z! Pretty soon you’ll be out there running like the wind! I love the story of how Johnny Collins is once again your blacksmith. I enjoyed the shoe stories too. Still wishing you were here at the track, but very glad things are going well for you in Kentucky. Love you SOOOO much!!! P.S. You know…these diary posts (with photos, of course) would make a GREAT book! I’d buy it even though I follow the posts each day. Take care, Team Zenyatta!!
Ingrid in MA
You lucky girl!!! What I would give to be able to be barefoot all the time!! I envy you that carefree feeling! And I bet Johnny told you how proud of you he was,and how lucky he is to have you back. You’re still the BEST, Sweet Z!
Margie Pabigian
Dear Z, what a great job explaining your shoes to us. You know we worry about every little thing when it comes to you, our girl! I was so sad when you left California; you were only a few miles away. But I see now that you are in the best possible place for your retirement years, and I find that very comforting. I’m so happy you’re being taken care of by so many wonderful people there. I’m sure they love you as much as we all do. I’m also glad your blacksmith is one of your old pals. Have fun, sweet Z. Love you forever.
Judy Sims
How wonderful these diary posts are for us your adoring fans. The videos are great too. Going barefoot must feel really good. Your retirement life seems to be falling into place nicely and it’s great that you are reunited with old friends and making lots of new ones. Your stall with its windows looks so spacious and cozy. I’m so glad that you have a window on your world and beautiful pastures to roam and explore.
Hugs & nose kisses to you, magnificent Z.
Sharon Call
Hey, Lori: You don’t have to have a Facebook page. Isn’t that great?? Just go to the top of this page and click on the Facebook icon on the right and you can go right to her Facebook page and look at everything. I loved the video from today. Z looks so relaxed and calm and NO LIP CHAIN. Yeah! It shouldn’t be long now before they let her loose in the paddock. She’s adapting so well with the help of the great people at LE. It looks like Charles has his own fan club going now. Wonder if he ever thought that would happen. It just shows that Z brings good things to the people around her that treat her well. Can’t wait for the next video.
Jenna
Thank you so much for the explanation! How sweet! Z has her old friend back. I’m so appreciative of these updates and the videos from LE. They really are fantastic. Thank you so much again.
Gloria Jeanne
Dear Z – Thank you for the update on your 4 hooves. Keep your nails trimmed! I love the airplanes over Hollywood Park. Horseracing and Airplanes- you gotta love it.
Please tell John and Dottie Thank you for keeping this daily journal of your life updated for us humans who have followed you since race 1. I still remember the call… Zenyatta… you better keep your eye on this future Star….
Love you and glad you are loving the farm life. Hugs, Love and Peace be with you.
Stephanie Q
Wow. I’m learning so much about horses through you the Great Zenyatta. Two things I’m sure your fans can’t wait for. First video of you running free in your Paddock. And Second who will be your First Boyfriend!!! Looking forward to it:)
Sandra
I think you should come back to California and go to the beach and walk barefoot in the sand, now that’s the ticket!
Gloria Jeanne
Also- please remember to video your first run in the paddock for us. It will be so amazing to see that and I wish I could be there in person for that. I am the one who got your hoof print on the poster a couple of months ago. Love G
RHONDA C
DEAR QUEEN ZENYATTA, I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT HORSES SINCE YOU ADOPTED ME INTO YOUR FAMILY OF FANS. DOTTIE IS A TRUE TREASURE FOR KEEPING US UPDATED ON EVERYTHING–THANK HER FOR US. I NEED TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT SOMETHING I READ THE DAY YOU ARRIVED IN KY; MR. F (owner of Lanes End) AND HIS SON CAME OUT TO MEET YOU UPON YOUR ARRIVAL. HIS COMMENT WAS: “ZENYATTA SEEMS TO BE POPULAR-FOR THE MOMENT.” PLEASE, MR. F YOU NEED TO REALIZE WE ARE NOT FANS FOR THE MOMENT. WE ARE FANS FOR ALL TIME. WE NEED TO KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING EVERYDAY. AND WHEN YOUR BABIES START TO ARRIVE THERE WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHERS HANGING FROM THE TREES TO GET A PIC OF BOTH OF YOU. WE LOVE YOU QUEEN Z. TELL CHARLES THE TWO OF YOU LOOK GREAT OUT THERE. XOXOXO