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
nancy
Good news everyday on you Z just keep the post coming, we will always want to know about your goings on. Sent a email to John and staff yesterday thanking them once again for everything they did for you and with you. Hows Charles handling being in the lime light now? he is part of you now and us as well. Been wating for that 60 mins ep. as well hope its one soon. Have a nice nught sweet girl.
Debbie
so great to hear how you’re doing on a daily basis! love you Z!!! xo
Carole
This is all very fascinating — the transitioning from the race track to the breeding farm. It is wonderful learning all that is involved and how carefully it is managed.
Janet Cutting
Hello Zenyatta and everyone!! I would like you to thank Dottie for keeping all of us updated and giving us a good education on horses. I didnt realize you could go “barefoot” Z. All of your team and new friends and caretakers at the farm really deserve a big HUG—I am looking forward to hearing all your day to day happenings and seeing pics of all the new gang — practice your snow walking Zenny so you can —RUN!!!! in the sun.
Jude Lane (Not the End) LOL!!
You’re so FEMALE!!! Lovin’ those shoes. Can we EVER have enough? Barefoot is great too-even in snow- beach sand is better for us humans!! Put your coat on and don’t “catch cold” you California Girl.
Debbi Martin
Thank you for so patiently explaining everything, Lady Z. How wonderful you are barefoot….soon to be barefoot and pregnant, maybe? :)
Mary
Thank you Zenyatta for the explanation of your shoes. How fun is that for you to have your first blacksmith watching your 4 darling hoofs! Have fun in the snow, maybe you will find a snowman with a carrot for a nose, and you can grab the carrot:) hugs
Lanie Johnson
I was also thinking if you had a tree then the CA fans who miss and love you sooo much could be a part of your Christmas!! They are such great fans!! The best!!(Even if I do live in Ky!)
Ensign
Jean Lucas,
Zenyatta won’t be pregnant until the new year. The VERY soonest she will be bred would be about Feb 15th, 2011 and there’s no guarantee she’ll catch on the 1st breeding (particularly if they use Indy).
If she did catch (become pregnant) on her 1st breeding, they would know by early March, though a pregnancy at the few week mark still isn’t very stable.
She may not be cycling and ready by mid-February so she may not be bred until later than that date, but that will be about the earliest (Feb 10-15th).
I doubt they’ll share much about that experience here. She’ll be tranquilized, twitched and possibly front leg hobbled so she cannot fight what is happening to her. She’ll have to be jumped by a teaser stallion first before being bred to the actual stallion. It’s not a kind or ‘romantic’ act for any mare at a large scale breeding farm. It’s basically restrained rape if you’d like to interject human feelings into it, but that’s how it’s done at many large scale breeding operations.
Sue M
Hi Z!! It must feel great to have bare feet for a change. Good to hear that you’re enjoying your new life, and it’s extra special being reunited with an old friend, too.
I will so miss seeing you run (hopefully we’ll soon see you gallivanting in the paddock). Take care Zenny and keep in touch with all of us. We love you!
susan vest
So wonderful to get so many updates!! Can hardly wait to see her loose in the paddock!…………videos are the best and Z’s song! Hi sweet girl….hugs Susan
Martha Lydick
Thank you for all the wonderful posts. I see you have worked your magic with the new people around you – love!!! And, thank Dottie for all the great information. I check your progress everyday. Thank you for making us so happy.
Alene
I Love You Zenny!!! Glad to hear you have old friends back in your life. Everyone is taking SUCH good care of you. Do you want to know why? Because you are VERY SPECIAL and everyone LOVES YOU !!! Hugs and Kisses,Alene…By the way, today is my birthday
Donna
You are so funny. I really look forward to your anecdotes. So glad you’re so happy. Love xxx ooo
tony
Hi lovely lady! So you have been reunited with an old friend. How special is that! It seems to me you’re th ekind of gal who keeps old friends forever. Everyone who has touched your life is the better for it. My family and I are anxious to see you run free at last. From the sounds of things it won’t be too much longer. Please tell Dottie and John how much we appreciate them and also send a warm hello to Mario, Carmen and of course Steve. Sleep tight …stay warm.
Darla
I was hoping to hear that you were BAREFOOT!!! All my horses are barefoot and their hooves are beautiful. Enjoy going barefoot Zenyatta!!!
Mandi
I’m so glad they are letting you go barefoot Zen! That’s awesome and so good for you!! Enjoy your retirement girl! You SOOO deserve it. Though I must admit, I shed a tear every time I think about never seeing you on the racetrack again.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
So glad to hear that you are doing fine and are enjoying it at your new home. Nice to hear about your shoeless feet-I bet it sure does feel good to have the shoes taken off and be able to go barefoot.
I appreciate your daily updates to all of us out here, it makes me feel like I am still connected to you. Be happy my sweet dear Zenyatta!
My Love & Blessings to you
LouAnn Cingel
Shari Voltz
Zenyatta I am learning so much about race horses. I wish I could buy one of your old shoes. I would hang it in my classroom. I know the kids would love it. You look so happy in the picture. Your just a smart amazing girl. I am so lucky to also be adopted into your family of fans. I just want you to know I sing the Zenyatta song every day. I love you big girl. Take care and much love from Shari in Ohio.
Jan
Ms. Zenyatta,
Thank you so much for the daily updates, and
teaching me so much about horse facts. You look really good. With all the snow up in Kentucky maybe you and the gang can have a snowball fight. Sending you lots of love and hugs from Cypress, Texas.
Elaine
Barefoot is the best! I’m glad you are enjoying things at your new home.
Bonnie MacRaith
Wow Zenyatta! You could open a horse education clinic, make a little money on the side for you to buy your Guinness Stout. I’m learning so much from you already! Tell Dottie THANK YOU for helping you get these updates posted. It’s probably a little easier now to strike the keys without your steel plates on.
Jean Moore
Beautiful Zenyatta, There really is a Zen in Zenyatta, full circle with your farrier Johnny and returning to Zentucky. Loved the video today, you look much more relaxed and you sure know how to dig for that Kentucky blue grass. But best of all, NO LIP CHAIN, which means you are making real progress. Of course you would with your brains. Charles must be the luckiest person in the world to be able to touch and hug you every day. What diet are you eating now that you are no longer in training? You will always be a stunning girl and I will always love you. MUCH LOVE FROM ME TO YOU
Tracey - Ottawa, ON Canada
So happy to hear that you do not have any shoes on,nice to give you the break. Enjoy the squeaky snow. Your last video was wonderful!! Hope that we will be able to see you …..
Rosemarie Cola
Ah, the Barefoot Contessa!
Wont it be great when that same blacksmith shoes your first foal. I’m sure he will be so thrilled!
Thanks for the diary, I like many others read it everyday.
Peaceandlove to Queen Z!
carrie
i just love this… i check it everyday at work right before i leave to go home. It helps me think of something other than work.
Quarterhossgal
Z…your story about the helicopter reminded me of a time I was preparing in a practice area with about 50 other horses to enter a Western Pleasure class and a sheriff’s office decided to practice take offs and landings with their helicopter, my horse was fine thank goodness but some of the others looked more like a bucking string! what an adventure. I love the idea of making a donation in your name to other horse charities. One of my favorites is “Old Friends”, they do a wonderful job in rescuing retired race horses and letting the public that enjoyed watching them race come to see them at the Farm. Zen you have done so much for racing, we will never know how many other horses are being helped because of your fans devotion to you.
Carol Lake
Enjoy watching you in the snow…you are so beautiful. Happy that you met an old friend, and I’m sure everyone will take the best care of you ever, spoiled baby.
jackalyn darling
I have no idea why this happens to me but when I read your posts, I get tears in my eyes. I have a 31 year old Morgan horse of my own. I only get sentimental about him… and you Zenyatta- I wish you many happy healthy years with your babies and fans. I have not met you in person but I follow your path to greatness. All the best!
Cheryl Heath
This post is great! You all are so wonderful to keep all of us informed. I have learned so much an appreciate your time and effort to share information. Hugs Zenyatta, you are the very best!