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
Marshall (girl's name)
@Peggy N.: YAY!! So happy for your good health report!! Will continue to keep you close in thoughts and prayers!
@Barbara Grimaldi: Thanks for letting us know about the gelding (formerly known as the mare). I look forward to getting the address for Blue Bonnet. Hugs!
@Trina Nagele: What a beautiful poem for Chopper and Susan! It brought tears but also warm feelings. You are truly talented!
@Ensign: Welcome back to this site. We so appreciate your knowledge. Please keep posting!
@Susan in TN: Hang in there! Much love headed your way! You, Chester and Chopper ARE each others’ Angels — you know! All the Best!
@Kennedys: Welcome back!! Hope you enjoyed your trip! It is good to hear from you again!
@Laura J: Thanks for the Black Caviar news! Yay, Australia’s HOY!!
judy berube
Dear Kim S.:
Right back at you. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Peggy (N):
Wonderful news. Hugs, J.B.
signofthetimes
@Peggy (N)
Congratulations on the great news!!!!! Hope you did open some bubbly.
judy berube
Dear Marshall (girl’s name):
Here is the Blue Bonnet web page. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.bluebonnetequine.org/
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love, Judy and Russ
signofthetimes
@Judy B
I am dissappointed. I think TP is right with the plan to run him in the Mile this year. Have him compete next year and go for the classic. Why have two horses compete and one from just having a major illness. He could have HOY twice in two years in a row as a possibility. MR is to high on fast and young !!! MR needs to invest in race cars. Interesting how they described each horses works and I don’t remember them doing that before.Thirsty is a little slower and steadier and needs to be ridden, maybe immaturitu??? and Mo is the fast bullet. Two different horses both can be champions and Eclipse winners. Stay Thirsty may go a couple of years and really make some money.
What do you think Judy B????
signofthetimes
@Susan in TN and all Chopper/Chester Fans
Found this really great link on horse grieving, not much written, but there is a Vet who specializes in it (cancer):
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/horse-health/2006/october/02/do-horses-grieve.aspx
Kari Bussell
@Peggy(N)- What great news. I am thrilled for you. I just know you Will continue to get great news next year and beyond….I am keeping you in my thoughts & prayers….Best of love, joy, peace & health to you.
@Barbara Wood- I am overcome , & overjoyed by love from our Zenny family….I appreciate your concern.
Susan in Tn- You continue to be in my prayers….It is sooo difficult to lose one of our babies…
Yes it was a BIG ouch for our Vols…Our star Justin Hunter is out for the season. I agree with you about QB….
Southern manners dictate I type the following-LOL- Congratulations to the Florida Gators!….and I must add Go VOLS!!
@Judy B- Hugs and Joy back to You.
@JAG- thank you for the link to the new Zenny photos…..
MY Queen- You look marvelous!!!! I love you Zenyatta!
All- thank you for all the links and info….I know I am a bit late with this , but Wowow!! Winter Memories!!
Joy to All!!
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
I agree with you totally. This is one time I don’t think Uncle Mike is doing the best thing for Mo. I think Thirsty would be good to go for the BCC, but I would not push Mo. As you say, he’s just getting over an illness and I’m surprised and disappointed with MR’s attitude. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Kari B.
Good to hear from you. Hugs, J.B.
signofthetimes
@Kari B
Ditto Judy B
So glad you are back, thoughts and prayers are with you.
@Eveline and JAG
Great minds do think a like; so glad we were able to get a Z fix from outside the diary. The photos were so beautiful and looking forward to the interview with Matt. Thanks for posting first Eveline.
signofthetimes
@Judy B
Mo is such a talent and was such an early bloomer. He is now meeting the challenge of the late blooming colts. I think we are seeing the true MR. I hope TP plan prevails. MR does listen to
TP.
signofthetimes
@Shari Voltz
Really love the Peppermint Patty site. It is just adorable for kids and adults alike.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Hope you are having relaxing days with your family and friends
and TT. She is getting to look quite the mare in foal, too. It will be so much fun watching you two with your foals run all over the paddock. You are one awesome horse; great charity work ideas!!
Have a quiet evening and sweet dreams XXXXOOOO
s (in San Diego)
Nice to see so many back.
@Kennedys hope you had a great trip.
@Kari and Sharron, hope you are both feeling ok. You are in my prayer every day.
@Judy B….Just love the way you sign off….”Hugs”. (right back to you)
Miss our Z updates..
Sweet Dreams to all.
Marty R
@ Peggy (N)- That’s such wonderful news, I’m so happy for you!!! Yes, keep praying, but also enjoy–you can make some plans.
@ everyone who posts all those great links, thank you. I’m learning, laughing and becoming more aware of things outside my own little world.
I have two questions in one–At what age do fillys become classified as mares and colts become classified as stallions or geldings? I have a feeling the answer is the same for both, but I’m not sure.
Everyone have a good night and sweet Zenyatta dreams.
Andrea
Hi Marty, I think colts and fillies are both adults when they turn 4. At least, that is what I have been told.
Trina Nagele
@Peggy N—I was hoping there would be good news from you when I got back from my walk! High hoof to you! And of course we’ll pray it stay that way forever.
@The Kennedys in San Diego—Welcome back, and I hope you had a great time over there.
@Signofthetimes—Great link about grief in horses. Interesting how vets sometimes prescribe Valium and later Prozac, just like for humans.
@Marty R—I’m not an expert, but I’ll stick my neck out. I’ve been looking on my Equibase Virtual Stable because I had the same question. It looks like there they start calling fillies mares at age 5, and they seem to call colts “horses” also at age 5. I think a gelding is a gelding at whatever age it is gelded. That leaves untouched the term “stallion.” I’m guessing that in the horseracing world, they may start using that when the horse is sent to stud. Now we’ll see what the experts have to say (my face may turn very red then, but no body will see!)
Delrene
@Laura & Judy – OMGOSH that is the best race call ever. Priceless. Thanks for searching it out. and the newest Bloodhorse pictures 9-19 of Zenyatta are unbelievable. Looked at them over and over again, cannot get enough of her beauty. She is definitely living up to her nickname “Big Mama” Just gorgeous. Good night and pleasant dreams to all.
Kari Bussell
I was always of the belief that a filly becomes a mare at age four and a colt a horse, but to be honest I can’t remember where I was taught that…..so
Ensign??….or Laura J??
what age?
Susan in TN
@Peggy N: SO HAPPY for you!! Hooray! <3
@Kim S: Thank you <3
@signofthetimes: Yes, he was offered for free, but in fairness to those people, they didn't feel like they could take on a 28-year-old horse who needs extra care and nutrition. Still heartbreaking, though. He IS doing so much better. He's a doll! Oh, and thanks for the compliment!
@Terry Crow: Funny-everything! Chester shames me- he's so proper!
@Judy B: Thank you <3
@Barbara Wood: I know you're right-thank you <3
@Margie: Thank you <3
Thanks to all for the great links, info, jokes and for being all-round good people!
Diana S
@Peggy (N): Man! Such joyful news to brighten my roller coaster day! I’m so thrilled for you!
diastu in tempe
Diana S
@Don Quixote: Aldonza loved that one!
Diana S
All, especially Charlotte Farmer if you are lurking: One of the Moss’s Keenland purchases traces in tail-female to Noor! The colt’s 4th dam is Nooran, a daughter of the great stallion.
diastu in tempe
Diana S
@Oh heck, Judy Berube: With me coming in on the end of nearly 1000 posts !!!! it figures someone would beat me to the punch on the Noor family line in the Hard Spun colt. And of course, nobody has a speedier research finger on the keys than you! Wish there was some way to know who bid on Balance’s baby – did the Mosses try?
diastu in turtle-speed-tempe
Vicki B.
@Terry Crow – 1. Good joke about Adam/Eve. 2. For sure, your Jedi training is incomplete, Padawan — the name of the “ice planet” is Hoth. 3. And Judy B. is right, that is bad; I like it, but it’s bad.
@Rosemary McCauley – Excellent redneck jokes!
Vicki B.
Love, love, love all the pictures of preggers pals Zenny & Tasty T on the “Zenyatta’s New Friends” page at Bloodhorse! Thanks so much, @signofthetimes & @JAG.
suew
Zenny, Wow, so many posts on this diary page!!!!! It’s time for your Dottie to scribe another for you…we are so anxious for another update, big girl.
Hope you and your “family” are doing well.
Beth Buckley
John, Can Dottie come out and play?