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
Trina Nagele
@Susan in TN—I’m hoping that at this time of sorrow, two hearts will mend, yours and Chopper’s.
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A Poem for Chopper and Susan in TN
The family came to adopt,
And when the day was done
They took one:
’Twas Chopper’s mare.
It seemed such a pity
That they didn’t opt
To take Chopper too
Though he was offered for free.
When away she went
To her new home,
He felt so alone
And bereft–
They’d been a pair!
What for him was left
But to just stand and stare
Where last he’d seen
That beloved mare,
His personal queen?
’Twas more than he could bear.
At a great cost,
He had loved and lost.
For himself he’d never fended,
On her he had always depended.
That sad day
Her loving protection ended.
What could he do?
When he saw her retreat
From his view,
He ceased to eat.
When the herd their way
To the people place wended
To get their hay,
Alone on the hilltop he’d stay
To call and call
To his mare
Far away,
Though she could not hear him at all
Where she was newly installed.
In her he’d been so enthralled–
Now all that remained was sorrow.
But can his heart be mended?
Will there be a new tomorrow?
Under the care
Of our dear Susan Carothers,
Will Chopper dare
To care for others?
Will soft words by Susan spoken
Help heal a heart that is broken?
Can she begin to repair
That wrenching tear
In his soul
And make him once again whole?
Already he has begun to eat his fare.
And in practicing her art,
Maybe Susan’ll find she’s started
To fill that deep hole
Torn in her own heart
When her Tiny departed.
Chopper, it’s not too late—
Though it may seem hard at twenty-eight
To recuperate,
You’ll have Susan’s help
To whelp a new fate.
She’s given you a new pal, Chester,
So your wounded heart
No more need fester,
And little Sass too
Though those young ’uns
Sometimes are a pester.
Now, Chopper, it’ll be up to you
Your best to do
To make a better future come true.
Trina Nagele
@ All: You can follow the happenings at River Edge Farm Horse Rescue on their website, and more particularly follow the little group that Susan Carothers, aka Susan in TN, a volunteer at the rescue, has taken under her wing on the fb page Chester and Friends http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chester-and-Friends/207035532688552
Trina Nagele
For the River Edge Farm Horse Rescue where Susan volunteers: http://www.riveredgefarmhorserescue.org/
Doreen
Trying to catch up on all the posts, college has been pretty intense, especially for someone who hasn’t been to school in over 30 years – I wonder how kids do it now-a-days!!! It’s good to have this site; it always recharges me – thanks Z fans. :)
@Lil from Ky, Delrene, Vicki B and Trina Nagele – you’re welcome. It is always good to hear from Team Z. Ebby worked out this past Saturday:
Eblouissante (2-Year-Old Filly)
Date: September 17, 2011
Track: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 38:80 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 24/27
@Laura J – it’s good to see that LBT is well enough to start working out again. I just love her.
@Susan in Tn – my thoughts and prayers are with you.
@Barbara (Skip) Grimaldi – thanks for all that you and your team do.
LauraJ
@Andrea and @Signofthetimes, stallions will occasionally be gelded if they are young and have only had one or two seasons of breeding. Sometimes this is done for reasons of temperament, as in the case of Festival of Light (he was vicious). In February it was announced that a young stallion named High Fly was pensioned and gelded. He was in Indiana and not getting many mares. His owner decided that it wasn’t worth keeping him as a stallion, so she brought him home and gelded him. She stated that he is happier now since he is able to be turned out with a companion. Kudos to Charlotte Weber for doing the right thing.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2011/02/14/young-sire-high-fly-pensioned-gelded.aspx
–
Older stallions are not usually gelded. They don’t geld at Old Friends. Michael says that once they’ve been used for breeding for a while, geldig doesn’t change their behavior. Also, while gelding a young horse is a simple matter, the oldsters don’t heal as easily. Gelding an older horse is much more involved medically.
LauraJ
@Barbara Grimaldi, yes, there is a horse named Arrrrr. In fact, his original owners named their stable after him. Arrrrr is retired and was adopted by a fan. He has been renamed “Morgan” and is training as a hunter/jumper for her kids. According to his owner, he is a real sweetheart. He bowed a tendon a while back but is recovering well. Arrrrr has a Facebook page and a blog, Arrrrr Journey, but they don’t get updated very often (his mom is busy).
http://www.pedigreequery.com/arrrrr
LauraJ
@All, let’s hear it for the girls!
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/09/19/black-caviar-named-australias-horse-of-the-year.aspx
Germaine
Oh, Zenyatta, I imagine that you were thrilled to see your John. Thank goodness he was your trainer. Your “extended family” would also like to see you some time. I am praying that Dottie and Lanes End can find a way to let your fans see you once more after Baby Z arrives. Do horses carry colts and fillies differently as humans are said to do? Whatever, this foal will be simply precious. Miss Ya.
Susan in TN
@Doreen: Thank you and good luck in school!
@Laura J: Thanks for links! Congrats to Black Caviar!
@Trina N: I LOVE the poem and have printed it from the one you sent me. I’m going to frame it with a picture of Chopper. It means a lot to me. Thank you <3
Susan in TN
@Trina: P.S. Thanks for posting rescue info!
Susan in TN
@s(san diego), DJ, Barbara Grimaldi, Marshall (girl’s name), signofthetimes, Marty R: Thank you all-the support here has been tremendous. <3
@Judy B: Thank you-means a lot<3
Hope everyone has a great day! I am very relieved that the horse in Texas is going to get the care he needs.
Rosemary McCauley
@Barbara Grimaldi: Thank you for giving us the information on the horse in Texas. I’m happy to hear that he will now get the attention he deserves. I will watch for the address for donations. Thank you and everyone else on this website who makes this kind of effort on behalf of horses who cannot speak for themselves.
signofthetimes
@Laura J
Thanks for posting link to Black Cavier, HOY Austrailia; how impressive to beat So You Think a very talented young colt.
Guess they like their fillies in Aussy land.
signofthetimes
@Laura J
Thanks for the update on ARRR, a TOO CUTE name. Not too good for the Hunter/Jumper world, though. So glad he found a second career.
signofthetimes
@Linda J
Thanks for your comments on gelding the older guys; I also saw that link about the youngster high fly gelded because of lack of breeder interest. Great point. Stallions lead a lonely life !!! Geldings are still masculine but more biddable(dog world), usually.
signofthetimes
@Susan in TN
Love to see the FB page for Chopper so glad he is getting over his fear and defensiveness. GREAT JOB IN HORSE REHAB!!!!!
signofthetimes
@Trina Nagel
Thanks for posting the link from Rivers Edge; great pics of all the horses.
signofthetimes
@Doreen
Thanks for the updates on “E” lil sis works. Great job coaching Zenny.
signofthetimes
@Trina Nagel
What a lovely poem for Susan in TN. Such great written talent.
Thanks for sharing.
signofthetimes
@Barbar Grimaldi
Thanks for letting me know about Shakelford web site. What a great idea. I really don’t like seeing his self-esteem diminishing;
it is so hard to get it to return, if it ever will. He has such a wonderful spirit!!!! It is so true if you let the horse lead the way they will show you the $$$$$$; horses are #1.
signofthetimes
To all CA Dumpling:
Have a great time at the Fall Meet at Santa Anita and any dumpling who get a chance to attend from outside CA
Terry Crow
@DJ, Judy Berube, Trina Nagele and Barbara Wood-Glad you are enjoying the jokes. @Susan In TN-As for the Jedi redneck jokes, I must complete my training on the ice planet. Don’t bet the four horse. They put little kids on the four horse to have their pictures taken. Chester looks great for an honorary redneck. @Anne from Paramount-Glad you are enjoying the jokes. As for JS, thanks for the information. I wouldn’t want to dump on a friend of yours.@Kari Bussell and Susan in TN-You might be a redneck if your stereo speakers used to be in a drive in theater. You might be a redneck if you have ever given rat traps as a gift. You might be a redneck if you go to a tupperware party for a haircut. You might be a redneck if the theme song at your high school prom was “Friends in low places.”
Rosemary McCauley
Zenyatta – hope all is well with you and we can’t wait for news of your visit with your family. In the meantime, You might be a redneck if you think matching luggage means you have two bags from the same store.
DJ
Good morning Sweet “Z” and little “z”! What a beautiful day it is Today and such a blessing to say hello to friends here. I hope your Dottie and John are having a lovely vacation if they are away :)
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Susan: You are very welcome! :)
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Trina: Thank you for sharing the beautiful poem with all of us. You truly express from your heart of hearts in a meaningful way so many truths and delights to ponder.
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TC: Yes! Enjoying all! Thank you, but I might be a little red around the neck too :)
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Zenny, Hope your enjoying the beginning of beautiful fall weather in Kentucky. It was always one of my favorite seasons back east & this will be your first! The colors are amazing, don’t you think? Your family has been very busy this week “shopping” but I’m sure we will all have some new pics & details about their visit with you. Can’t wait.
@ JAG in CA – Thanks for your link on Timely Writer. A treasure almost forgotten. I was watching & cheering for him in his last race at home when the unthinkable took place. My heart was broken. I so wish they had retired him after the physical struggles he had endured all summer but I guess they were trying to “up the ante” on his stud fees before sending him off. The tragedy of another mismanaged career. Thank you for sharing.
LOVE & PEACE
Cynthia H.
I am suffering from the Z-T’s (Zenyatta withdrawal tremors).
judy berube
Dear Terry C.:
Funny red neck jokes. Thanks I needed a laugh. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Rosemary M.:
Funny. Thanks. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
Hugs, hugs, hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Laura J.:
Thanks for the link on Black Caviar. Good for her. Hugs, J.B.