Good Morning,
I’m hearing from MY TEAM that ‘working the sale’ requires a great deal of effort, hard work, concentration, and energy! They get up very early each morning and leave for the sales grounds. By that time, David and his crew have already gone over ALL of the horses to be offered that day and come up with the ‘short list’ which Dottie, John and The Moss’ review. All aspects of the individuals are evaluated: conformation, size, pedigree, walk, and other physical qualities! Monitoring the horse’s overall temperament is also a part of this process.
Each horse on this list is inspected. If they make this ‘cut’, the veterinarian then examines the horse and his / her xrays in the repository. The VET also scopes the horse’s throat to be sure “all parts are working well’ for good breathing to take place. A good throat is essential for a race horse!
Once a horse passes all of these steps, the decision is made as to the fair market value of the horse. As many of you may know, at an auction people can get caught up in the bidding. MY TEAM tries to be very careful not to do this. They thoroughly appraise each horse before the bidding begins and really try to stay within those limits while bidding.
If all goes well and the hammer falls while a particular HIP they are bidding on is in the ring, they sign the ticket and he or she is now a part of the racing stable!
Attending a sale as this one, is really a fun process…but truthfully a great deal of hard work. Every moment of every day while there is totally consumed with the SALE. It is all about planning for the future and getting the RIGHT HORSE for the program!
As you can see, BABY REAGAN is resting up for all of the company and activity this week. I think she wants to stay up a bit late on Monday night to see my relative, HIP # 147 sell! I do too!
By the way, HRTV is carrying the first few sessions live on their programming schedule. Otherwise, the internet is the best way to follow the events.
HMMM! This baby thing is rather interesting to ME! Reagan was born on March 7th, 2011. That is about the time MY BABY is due in 2012! I just didn’t realize human babies are so small! They told ME my baby will weigh about 125 pounds or so when he/she is born.) This becoming a MOM is really a fascinating process! I’m learning!
Enjoy the week, the racing, and the sales! Dottie is attending them this week and also spending time visiting with ME! When she returns home, we will update you on all of the action. She also promises that MY JOHN will take some terrific photos of ME to share with all of you!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(To my dear fan who made the Z BLANKET as a thank you….THANK YOU! It is absolutely priceless!)
Z
judy berube
Dear Kimberly Potter:
Happy Birthday to you. Hus, J.B.
judy berube
Oops. Meant Hugs
judy berube
Dear Kari B.:
Beautiful music “Twelfth of Never”; beautiful video. Thanks. Hugs, J.B.
Christine in VA
Mario Espinoza Zen is missing you. I hope you get to see her soon.
Barbara Wood
@Kimberly Potter (and Ingrid? I missed that)–HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
@Trina–great birthday poem.
@Peggy (N)–hooves crossed and prayers being offered. Please let us know your results.
Are we missing DJ’s prayers?
Good night, dearest Z–awaiting to hear if your John will be getting more babies to train. Love you always.
Kim S
Another day come and gone Zenny. Got to see my equine friends today. It really helped a lot, had a bad day at work.
@Susan in TN–So, so sorry about Tiny. And you were not too expansive in your story. I’m crying for you but am happy as well for the wonderful second chance that you both gave to each other. I’m sure my CC Girl (Jack Russell) that I lost a year ago April, welcomed Tiny at the Rainbow Bridge along with other Z’sters Angels.
@Ingrid and Kimberly Potter–Happy Birthday!
@Peggy (N)–prayers,best wishes and positive thoughts coming your way.
@JAG–thanks for the post with the petition linkto the anti-horse slaughtering bill
@Sue Frederick–2nd your motion for everyone to check out equi-army-ndo.com
Well Zenny, hopefully we’ll be seeing some new photos and possibly some videos from Your John very soon. Thanks for letting us continue to be a part of your life and your Team’s lives.
Lotsa love to all
LauraJ
@Signofthetimes and @Judy Berube, Cigar has no progeny at all. They tested 20 mares out of the 36 bred to him in order to establish that he was in fact infertile accordint to the requirements of the fertility insurance policy (60% failure rate). I don’t know if they tried pasture breeding, but I did read that they tried putting him in a peaceful farm setting. Didn’t help. It’s a shame–he would have made great babies. He seems to like his current job posing for pictures and showing off, though.
Especially Horses
@judy berube: The video of Assault’s Triple Crown races was so worth the while to watch. He won each race in grand style. The 1946 Kentucky Derby had a large field.
Especially Horses
@LauraJ:It’s been nice catching up on Cigar and great to hear that he is enjoying himself being a poseur.
signofthetimes
@Especially Horses
Found another article on Cigar from NY Times that says non of the 34 mares he impregnated became pregnant. Totally sterile.
http://www.nytimes.com/keyword/cigar
signofthetimes
@Especially Horses
Found another interesting article written by Vet’s at Tx AM that specialize in Stallion breeding fertility and behavior. Mention Cigar as being totally infertile and other issues low libido. One solution: Build a very strong fence and put a band of mares in the next paddock, stallion will run up and down and get good exercise and develop desire. Here it is:
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/horse-health/advances-in-reproductive-health-12-12-06.aspx
Kari Bussell
@Terry Crow-I am Karina Bussell on FB…or if you have a YT account you can click the link Cynthia posted to 12th video….then click AnimalsRock4Love channel … click message and leave me your address….
–I continue to have problems with my yahoo account….I panicked, tried to delete it & caused this problem…I can only open emails briefly before windows closes it…I have been unable to respond to endless emails for about a month now….My daughter says she knows how to fix it when she gets time….waiting..Please don’t think I am ignoring you or rude.
@-KImberly Potter-I am thinking of you, praying for you and I believe it will be good news tomorrow.
CH- For several years now you have been the best friend anyone could ever dream of…You made me Believe All things are possible- 12th!
Laura J- thank you for all the information you so generously take the time to share..
@Barbara Wood- Was is Smokey? …our precious blue-tick hound mascot? We are gearing up for Florida (at the Swamp) this Saturday-3:00 CBS-…Years ago..it was a extremely hot & humid day. Smokey was suffering from heat exhaustion at the same time a Florida player suffered from the same with cramping….the paramedics rushed the field to treat Smokey with IV’s before the Florida player…To say Steve Spurrier took issue with that is a understatement. Go Vols! Beat Florida!…and Go! to the team playing SC..Steve’s new team..LOLOL!…In the SEC football is not a matter of life & death…it is far more important than that…LOL!
CIGAR- He was in stinker boy mode Monday…for a moment I feared he would break free and charge us for being in his space. The very nice lady opened the door briefly..I told him he is a Great Champion….he looked at me as if to say “tell me something I don’t already know.” He looked very fit, alert, well cared for and content. Funny Cide responded the most to my voice and visit…He clearly ate it up!..
signofthetimes
@ Laura J
Thanks for info about Cigar; article above mentions a lot of drugs used during racing days may cause fertility issues and focus is on racing and not making sure they stay fertile.
Kari Bussell
@kIMBERLY POTTER- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
signofthetimes
@Trina N
What a lovely poem for Kimberly Potter.
Abigail from Montreal
It just might be that everyone but me knows about Molly the pony. But, if not, here’s her inspirational story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIDSLI2smI4&feature=related
Love & hugs to all. Sweet dreams Zenny and Baby Zee.
signofthetimes
@Deborah Richman
What a wonderful article on John Sherriffs barn post Zenny.
So glad he is able to keep a temper on his emotions not on the high and low much, makes it easier to look objectively at his
horses. A little excitement about “E” (little Sis). That little bit of polish E has from Bernie may make her more precocious, AP Indy and Slew ran as 2 year olds?? It will be very interesting as Bernie has not become a dam sire yet, but Street Cry and Bernie through Z should be a very interesting look; wholesome, large with smooth regal lines. I do like the Street Cry look; wholesome.
signofthetimes
@Laura J
Love the link on most expensive TB; really good information.
Barbara Grimaldi
SUE F: thank you for mentioning our site…we are also concerned with helping rescue organizations and will soon post a list of reputable rescue groups in the USA for quick access by anyone when they need such information. We’re networking now so that we can use group action to bring about change to help our horses. Thank you again, Sue.
signofthetimes
@Abigail
Thanks for video on Molly the pony. Very touching.
Kari Bussell
@signothetimes- thank you for all the links & commentary.
@Abigail from Montreal- Thank you for the link to the amazing story of Molly. It is amazing what they can do.
@RE:George Washington- I cried for days. It was a really bad era in this sport with Barbaro, Eight Belles, George Washington all breaking down back to back…a horse that rarely gets mentioned that we lost is named Mending Fences. It took Zenyatta, Mr John Shirreffs(hero), Barn-55….to restore my enthusiasm.
signofthetimes
@Judy B
Thanks for posting Cigar’s pedigree page. Northern Dancer and Princequillo (large heart gene); and he was out of a Seattle Slew
mare; no wonder he was so fast. Too bad he could not reproduce.
Kari Bussell
@Deborah Richman- Thank you for the link. I loved it.
Anne from Paramount, CA
@Susan in TN: thanks for sharing your Tiny’s story with us. As you already have heard, we are all there with/for you. You have gone through so much, it is wonderful that you and Tiny found each other when you did.
@Cynthia H: how very peaceful it was to listen to “the 12th” along with Kari B’s video…gives new meaning to the lyrics, and how true! @Kari: thanks for your creativity. Will listen again!
@Peggy N: thinking of you with crossed hooves.
@Ingrid and Kimberly, happy, happy birthday, birthday. Double for you both. :) @Trina, you did it again!
@Laura J and all: Cigar was my “entree” into horse racing. I was one of the throngs at Del Mar that day in 1996–had never been to Del Mar before and knew next to nothing about racing, but cheered my lungs out for him. So, see what streaks can do Queen Z? Get people into racing, sound familiar?
@OUR ZENYATTA: so, did you see YOUR JOHN??? Of course you did, right?
Goodnight everyone…hope those who were feeling sad are feeling a little better and hope those who were feeling good are feeling great!
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
I know, it is too bad he had no offspring. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Especially Horses:
Yes, really great to see. We’re so lucky that these great horses and their races are so easy to access thanks to You Tube and the internet. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Laura J.:
I loved Cigar and his jockey, Jerry Bailey. Glad he is enjoying his retirement. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Thanks for all the great posts and links. Hugs, J.B.
Trina Nagele
@Abigail in Montreal—Thanks for the link to Molly the Pony–I hadn’t heard of her before. Her intense desire and ability to communicate with the children with disabilities was even more touching than her coping with her own disability. Quite remarkable. Hoof ray for Molly!
Kimberly Potter
@Trina Nagele~ I seriously think you have out done yourself…seriously. You are beyond talented. You nailed it. Thank you so very, very much for my lovely birthday poem. I am so blessed to have you in my life. Everything you said was right on (except for the wife part…I am on my own and have been for a very long time, but you wouldn’t have known that)and I am amazed at all the things that you have picked up on. Again, thank you dear friend…I feel honored.
@ALL, thank you all so much for the very sweet birhtday wishes…I don’t know what I would do without this place and all my people in it. It has been a very “trying” week….(out of town for a trial) and I look forward to getting back home to my kitties and catching up with everything.
Love and HUGZ to ALL~
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana!