Good Morning to all,
Yippee! As I mentioned yesterday, I had my first official veterinarian check-up here at the farm. This is done so they can get a baseline on me and get to know everything about me and how my body works. It is equivalent to you going for your regular check-up…just to be sure all is A-OK! Well, I am very happy to report that I am in FABULOUS SHAPE! Everything about me is just WONDERFUL! Great news! (I kinda’ knew this…but it is always great to have this confirmed.)
My feet were also checked…and I am doing very well BAREFOOT! Also good news! These are just the basic things that need to be done for me….just like you. The Dentist will be next…and I will keep you posted on that.
A woman working in our office, Selena, is about to have a baby. I think she is due on Friday…from what I’m hearing. Good luck, Selena! We will be thinking about you and wish you well!
Several of you had questions about ‘my having a baby’ in your comments. Hope the following information proves helpful to you. As we go along, I will explain more things to you about all of this, but for now, please consider this a starting point.
As you know, with humans, a baby is carried for approximately 9 months. For horses, the gestation period is approximately 11 months. Obviously, individual differences always do apply.
In our industry, the breeding season does not begin until mid-February ‘ish’ and lasts until late June ‘ish’. This depends on the individual farm, horse, and owner of the horse. This is a baseline.
Race horses basically have 2 birthdays. I was actually born on April 1, 2004. That is my real birthday and it is recorded on my official records. BUT…with race horses for racing purposes, ALL horses ‘celebrate’ a birthday on January 1st. This way…all 2 year olds will ‘technically be thought of as being a 3 year old’ on January 1st…no matter what date the horse was actually born. As of January 1st, I will ‘technically’ be thought of as a 7 year old…yet, I will really not be 7 until April 1st. (By the way, I just love my birthdate…April 1st. Dottie has a sister, Frannie, who is also born on this date. She calls us her April 1st Birthday EXACTA!)
So, when you go to the race track and see certain races restricted to an age group, this is how the horses fit into that category. For instance, the Kentucky Derby Trail and the Triple Crown is totally restricted to 3 year olds. The individual horses birth dates may vary from January — June, but they are all considered 3 year olds.
Same for the Kentucky Oaks for fillies…all for 3 year olds. Some may be born early in the year…others late…but they are all still considered to be 3. In the Racing Form, they give the MONTH / AGE for each horse. Perhaps when you are looking at the horse and his/her past performance charts in the FORM, this would be something to note as well. Have fun with it!
I’m off to play with Charles. (Several of you have asked, his full name. It is Charles Stewart William Campbell. He is a Broodmare Manager here at Lane’s End.)
Have a splendid day!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL!
Z
Rita Boucher
Thankyou again for the updates and education. It is interesting to hear of all the different racing things and horse things. Zen, you are awesome.
Mary M. Meek
Charles Stewart William Campbell, aye what a fine bonnie Scotsman! Hope he doesn’t mind you drinking Irish beer.
Sheri Osborne
Good luck to Selena with her baby! Thanks for the info Z! I love learning and reading from your diary every day! Its something t look forward to! haha! Love you Zenyatta! Stay Beautiful! :)
Nancy Love
Evening Zen…………..well from all your postings at your new home……..looks like you are falling into it GRACEFULLY. Febuary will be a new beginning for you. So conserve your energy and relax and enjoy. xxoo your gal pal, Nancy
Sandy
Continued thanks, Zenyatta, for helping to educate us about what will be happening to you as well as keeping us up to date on your current situation. Just to give you some idea of how . . well . . clueless some of us are about horses, I had to Google “how do horses sleep?” to find that out. Wow! You must have some amazing knees!!! Having spent more than a year dealing with knee problems and knee surgery, and a very slow recovery, I am very impressed that your knees just sort of lock into position so that you can relax and go to sleep. I know it’s hard for horses to get up if they have been lying down, but I just wondered – DO you ever lie down to rest? Glad you had a good check-up!!! Your Ohio friend.
Alex
I’m so happy for you girlie!
Havve a happy holiday, Zenyatta Claus!
Lanie Johnson
Hmmm…Zen…if I were about 30 yrs younger I’d like to “meet” Charles..tee hee hee! You 2 sure look good together!!
Please thank the person who is keeping this diary up to date every day…they can’t possibly know how thrilled I am to have news everyday. You were a part of my life on a daily basis for so long and now this is just wonderful! They are too kind and just special..special..special…hope the good Lord blesses them especially!
All this is great..the info and we are learning new things too! Soo excited for you and thankful that you are still in tip top shape!! My grandkids come every weekend to spend the night and they ALWAYS ask me about you and want to see the videos of you racing again and again.They cheer!!! They are so proud and I’m more than willing to share with them.They can’t wait to give you a BIG kiss!!
Bless Mario..I say a prayer for all those who have shared your life..you are family. So glad you are doing well and I always knew that Lane’s End was the absolute best place for you! I love all of you CA fans..they are so heart broken and I am so glad they have the diary to keep them posted..it means so much to themm too!
I will see if I can get an ornament sent to you…it may not arrive now for Christmas but I am sure that the staff will keep them for any of us who would like to send them!I just ordered a beautiful picture of Mike giving you a big hug and I have my Bloodhorse commenorative issue now..with a great 8X10 of you!!
Maybe you’ll see a white Christmas this year..so far here in Owensboro we’ve had ice and snow mixed.You just make that landscape up there even more beautiful than it already was! Hope that you get special things for Christmas Dancing Queen!
Gosh..I hope everyone there with you has a blessed holiday..they sure deserve it..they work very hard and love what they do..I so envy them! Every once in awhile that old dream of mine catch up with me in my dreams…I’m a jockey and riding like the wind for a finish line! There must be nothing like it on earth1
Thank you for being a credit to all horses as I have loved them all my life!
My newest little grandaughter is just 4 mos old but I turn on the racing throughout the day and she sits and sits watching the horses run! I keep asking her if she’s my future little jockey! Evie my 7-yr-old loves to ride too..gosh you’d think I’d get ONE outta all of them!
Peace to you always…how I have enjoyed sharing your journey…it’s only beginnig…so much to look forward to for you!
Sleep tight tonight dancer..I love you…you and me under the moon..over Ky.
Ann Maree
Hey, Z….Like everyone else, I am enjoying learning more about horses in general, but thoroughbreds in particular. Since some others have teased you about Charles, and they are also talking about just who will be the lucky guy, I have to repeat my favorite quote from one of your CA family. There was a wonderful interview with Steve Willard, your exercise rider, and he was asked who he thought your suitor should be. He said he didn’t really know, that none would be really worthy of you, but “whoever he is, he will need stilts!” I laugh every time I think about that! Some people have suggested Dynaformer (17.0h) or Tiznow (16.3h), but they are both almost as big as you are, so that might wind up being too much of a good thing! Actually, I heard that it’s going to be A.P. Indy, which everyone had kind of guessed. I just watched him run some of his races, and he sure was fine as a racer. His daddy was Seattle Slew, his grandpappy on his mama’s side was Secretariat, but one that I like on his mama’s side is Buckpasser, his great grandaddy. Buckpasser is considered to have had perfect conformation by most accounts, so you two should have some really gorgeous offspring! He was strong, too, racing 31 times, winning 25. So, pretty lady, looks like you may have a date in February or March next year. Take care, stay warm! Hugs. Your friend, Ann Maree
Mary M. Meek
All of this love for Zenyatta and her foal to come reminds me of Misty of Chincoteague and Stormy, Misty’s Foal by Marguerite Henry. It takes me back to being a horse loving kid again. I still love the horses, even though I haven’t been a kid for a long time. I’m glad that so many people appreciate Zenyatta and care about her well being. Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” I’ll add that horse love is especially good for women, too.
Lanie Johnson
One more note: Excuse all the darn typos…been a long day!
Gloria
Zenyatta! Merry Christmas, sweetie! Love the updates! XOXO!!
richard schwarz
Great to hear you passed your physical! I am so impressed with your diary. I can’t wait to get home and read it every day!!!
Cheryl
Actually Zen girl, we human females are technically allowed to DEDUCT five years from our age as a matter of course…meaning you just nod and say “of course”. You my lady are TIMELESS! It sounds like you are liking Lanes End. I am so happy to see Charles looking more comfortable with you – it was so funny at first they all seemed so apprehensive, just what exactly did they think you were going to do?…something silly?? Good Grief! On this boyfriend thing I am just not sure there is a horse good enough for you. Is there anyone in Ireland that you like? Have a great day tomorrow! Stay warm! Love you, Cheryl
Debbie Bassett
Precious Z-
I’m so grateful for these daily posts. I miss you!! I’m glad to hear that you are doing so well. Keep writing, I look forward to reading!
Linda / Maryland
Hey Zenyatta~
Glad to hear your physical and manicure turned out well~!! How wonderful to retire all safe and sound!!
Stay warm and happy!!
Selene McCarthy
Indyatta Jones..love it!
Robin
I bet Charles has no idea what has hit him!! Who knew he would become instantly famous after leading a quiet life at Lane’s End? Get ready, everyone down there!
Dottie, John, and the Mosses: I’ll have you know that my 11 year old daughter has been combing the pedigree information online to see what bloodlines would be a good match for Queen Z! See what impact you all have had? Maybe she will grow up to be a large animal vet someday…….
Merry Christmas, beloved Zenyatta…..
Megan
So glad to hear your checkup went well Zenyatta,great news.Wonderful to know that you are being so well taken care of.Enjoy your new friend Charles,I’m sure he is delighted to have you in his care.Thanks for the post as always.Megan.
jeanie langford
Glad to hear you are a okay. I knew you were. That Charles is a nice looking fellow Queen and seems to care a great deal for you. I feel better knowing you are getting such great care. The diary is great. Like Indyatta Jones and I have one of my own. How about Apeazen for a colt and Inzewind for a fillie Hugs and Kisses Z LOL
Jess
Hay Zen, glad all is well with you, and don’t be scared of the dentist.
Vickie
WOW – this is great – while I know much of what you are documenting, many people do not and may not ask! WHAT great information for folks to get acqainted to this sport AND provided by the QUEEN and her TEAM – KUDOS! Zenyatta and her TEAM are certainly ONE OF A KIND!
Sunny Boyd
Wheehee wheehee, Zetty.
Yes, we need horses back in daily life. Horses force people to de-stress. On Backside 55 there’s this article on how to greet a horse. And it mentioned that horses are flight animals and therefore need to be approached in a calm & quiet manner!! That means people have to get it totally together when in the presence of a horse. That means civility, good manners, gentleness, all the good stuff, the stuff we’re losing. Horses force us to become better humans. And they are environmentally friendly, except for the doo-doo, when in the wrong place. In the right place excellent fertilizer. I think we oughtta re-introduce horses in general society.
Lisa T
Alwesome news Zenyatta! Thanks for sharing all the great information, I am learning so much. It’s nice to get to know the humans there at Lane’s End who interract with you….so glad you are surrounded by good people. ZENYATTA, YOU ARE LOVED DEARLY BY SO MANY!!! :)
Deneen
Thank you Z and Dottie for the updates — I look forward to reading them each and every day!!!! I have been reading a book about the breeding process, knowing the signs when the mare is soon to give birth, etc. and how important the after birth care a mare provides her foal is. It says the more affectionate and loving the mare is towards her foal, the better disposition the foal will have. Vertigineux must have really loved you a lot and I know you, too, are going to be a wonderful mama!! Stay warm and happy!!
PJJ
Zenyatta is way to big for HOTY, she is much more better than that. Those awards are for ‘one year wonders’ , ZEnyatta surpasses that. She needs to have a pure gold award just created in her honor. For what she has done for racing, they owe her that.
Also, I think it is so cool, Lanes End now has the royal family residing there. Lets see, they have the Queen, and they have Prince Charles as you ladies call him. And LE is considered the Buckingham Palace of the horse farms. to cool
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi – when we got home this evening, I was unable to access your website. I kinda started to panic but kept on trying. We knew you would get a clean bill of health from the vet – you look spectacular!!! We love you so; thank you so much for the updates. Look forward to them each day. Love you.
Jenna
Thank you for all this information. I’m not as knowledgeable as everyone else seems to be so I’m very appreciative. I’d love to know the process of race horses lives they stop racing. Are they never ridden again? Is there a point where a mare stops breeding? Because it’s cold and snowy in KY, and Zenyatta last raced just one month ago, is she holding in a great deal of energy-and not being able to let it out because of the weather!?
Tons of questions. Thank you so much for keeping up to date. I love hearing about Z’s day :>
Nighty night.
Irene Caty
Hi zenyatta, so glag to hear your health check up turned out great. You are a California Special who has had the best care from the best to give it and that is why your health is supreme. You are strong in every way and I expect your health to stay steady for many years. You are the Queen my sweet Zenyatta and you have alot of eyes looking after you. We all miss you terribly here. Many have gone into depression with your leaveing. That is only natural because oooof how so many love you so much. I’m hanging in there and trying to follow all you are doing daily. You seem to be doing good and of course knowing you Big Z, you would. Zenyatta, you are the most super and wonderious of all time. You have become the greatest of all time and you have certinly earned it. I will watch for your next posts and would like you to know that i love you very much.
Fran
Well, hello Z, I am so glad you are very healthy, but we all knew that because you look so good. Did you stay in today because of the weather? I found Charles’ full name someplace and found him on facebook (he still has not accepted me as a friend!). He will probably have thousands of friends very quickly! He is very very cute (but much too young for me!). Hope you have a nice cozy and warm night. Look forward to hearing from you tomorrow. Can’t wait to get a video of you when you are running free in your paddock! Then you will have arrived. Love you Z!
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I am so glad to hear of your wonderful checkups. Thanks for the info on racehorse birthdays. That’s very interesting. Also thanks for Charles’ full name. He is lucky to get to be with you because you have made him famous! I know you had a wonderful day. Sweet dreams. I love you, Zenyatta. I hope one day just to meet you. Hugs & Kisses from Alabama! Love, Amanda