Happy Friday to ALL!
It is a bit cold and icy out here in KY. I did not get to go outside much yesterday…so they have had me walking a great deal inside the barn. It is also ‘cold’ in CA…by CA standards…chilly, drizzly and gray outside. BURRR! My CA friends are keeping me posted. They are also telling me there will be lots of rain in CA the next few days.
Speaking of my CA friends, they are getting very excited out there now. It is the closing few days of Hollywood Park and then Santa Anita opens up the day after Christmas. Santa Anita has a brand new DIRT TRACK…and all of the reports are very encouraging and positive to date. This is terrific!
I loved racing on the dirt at both Oaklawn and Churchill Downs. I also trained on a dirt training track at least 3-4 times per week throughout my entire career. I know my buddies in CA will enjoy this new surface.
John is currently reorganizing his barn and who is located at each site. That is what horse trainers do at the beginning of a new race meet. He is in Barn 55 at Hollywood Park…that was my home base for my entire career. When I ran at Santa Anita and the Oak Tree Meet there, I would van across town to do so. Then at Santa Anita, John is in Barn 66. Too cute! Double numbers for both barns. The horses are moving in there now. Per my updates from them, the grass looks good and the flower boxes are getting planted. Very sweet! I will keep you posted on all of my friends as we go along.
Several of you have asked if I will ever be ridden again. The answer is NO. I am now enjoying my time and relaxing. Eventually, I will be able to run free in my big paddock here. Then I will be gradually introduced to my new paddock friends (my barn mates)…one at a time. It will be fabulous. I am really looking forward to this!
Oh, by the way, I did get a PEDICURE yesterday. My HOOVES look FABULOUS, if I say so myself. It was so much fun!
Thank you all so much for the wonderful cards and goodies. I am enjoying all of them. You are all so kind and thoughtful of me. Again, THANK YOU!
Oh, here come the guys. They are going to take me outside now. YEAH! I am used to standing outside and looking around for hours. John used to let me do this at least 2 hours each day at home. It is something I truly LOVE TO DO! Yeah…I’m on my way to go outside.
Good-bye for now!
Hugs to all!
With Love,
Z
Betty
Hey rebekah !!! no need of the foul language or nasty comments.
By the feedback I guess we will be getting an explanation why Z will never be ridden again even for recreation.
Gina
Happy to hear you are adusting so well. I also wonder why you will never be ridden again, I assume there’s a plausible reason? Love seeing your pictures Z and reading all your updates. Enjoy all your goodies.
Robyn Mullhausen
Glad you enjoyed your “pedicure” Zenyatta. Hey, Girl, don’t you listen to nasty remarks. They don’t know that horses have lived in the wild for thousands of years and get along just fine. Zen, I’d like to come to Lane’s End and “waste away” with you. Enjoy your retirement and pasture time. You’ve been ridden more in 3 years than some horses have all their life.
Kitei
You are so good at what you’ve been doing so far, who should force you to give it all up? It’s as bad as the 1950’s “mommy” thing. You know what happened then! We don’t want you to be so bored that you need to avail yourself of “mothers’ little helper”. Not only that, but, it is important for mares to keep fit, just as it is for human women, even when they are expecting. It’s hard for me to imagine how anyone planned for you to leave the track without planning a way for you to get a reasonable chance to safely exercise your magnificent body, snow or no snow. The fact that you are so uncomplainingly tolerating all this speaks volumes and volumes for your kindness and willingness to overlook a great deal when it comes to your dealings with us humans. Royalty indeed!
As Queen, you should at least insist on being adequately entertained. How about inviting some students from Lexington’s fine music schools to come up to your barn and serenade you and the girls on your joint “official” birthday? Your barn looks like it should have some fine acoustics. Maybe it could become a regular event!
On a different subject, I’ve just been reading in UPenn’s website research library (homepage: http://research.vet.upenn.edu/HavemeyerEquineBehaviorLabHomePage/ReferenceLibraryHavemeyerEquineBehaviorLab/LabPublications/tabid/3140/Default.aspx), that letting an older stallion like APIndy come live in a barn with mares could act like the fountain of youth for him! Apparently, researchers have discovered (though the stallions already knew) that living in a barn with “all boys” sends precisely the wrong signals to a stallion’s hormones. More interesting for everyone concerned to be housed together, also, I’m sure!
Please at least invite him to come over for a Guinness and chat about it!
:)
Lynette Lucas
I’m so glad to hear that you had a pedicure yesterday!! Hope you had fun outside!! I totally understand why you won’t be ridden again. My vet is owner of race horses and he also breeds race horses!
Keep the posts coming!! Here is more hugs and kisses coming to you!! LOVE YOU!!
Candace
Would YOU want to go back to YOUR job after retirement? Its sad for us that we wont see her run again but, I think Ms. Zenyatta more than deserves her time to just chill and relax now. Plus, she only really would want one of two people riding her and they arent in KY so she will be much happier steering herself around those awesome fields of which she will soon have free reign. I cant wait to see footage of her running in Bluegrass this spring. Thanks for the update Dottie and Z!
Kathryn Cogswell
Nearly every post, someone commends zenyatta.com for the sweet excellence, the caliber of the interaction among the writers; and when they disagree, the levels of tolerance, courtesy and decency used, regardless of their stands. If Zenyatta and the family surrounding her brought greatness to racing, she also brought grandeur of character; and the public was welcome. Any number of places on the internet feature language upstream of a sewage treatment plant; it escalates contempt, rather than an enlightened conversation. Setting this one apart by their own character, and all ‘Z’ means, her people set standards. There is so much of value to learn here. Civility of speech is a good place to start. Khc.
Tania
YOU lived for racing. Now you won’t ever be ridden again–EVER?
Are you bored Z?
Retrospectiv
@ Richard,
Most farms don’t care if the broodmares are fit or not, just as long as they’re healthy enough to get pregnant and stay that way, and then raise foals for 6 months of the year.
Broodmares are just never ridden. It’s very rare for stallions (in Kentucky atleast) and they don’t go through pregnancy & major body changes like mares do.
Also, many mares, after turned out with a group become herd bound over time and do not like to be removed from the group. Removing one to ‘go riding’ would likely result in huge equine hissy fits and tantrums.
It would also be a huge liability to take a pregnant mare like Zenyatta riding (when she gets in foal). Were something to happen, the Mosses will have a minimun of a $100,000+ stud fee invested in her and I doubt the live foal stud contract would cover mares that were ridden.
In a NORMAL horse world (outside racing), stallions and mares are ridden all the time. Normal doesn’t necessarily apply to racing thoroughbreds and large scale commercial breeding operations though.
JOAN WOOD PEDRON
I am soooo glad you won’t be ridden again. Was so afraid you might get hurt.
Tamyatta
Hi beautiful, I vote for a HUGE bottle of Ivory Liquid:)Hey, guess what, my hubby wanted me to open an early christmas present from him and you’ll never believe, it was a photo of you saying goodbye on Dec 5 and Mike is standing next to you with his arms around you! OMG I have cried since I opened it. It’s beautiful but gosh it really tugs at the heart strings!!! I will cherish it always like the rest of your pretty pics. I got myself some presents too(heehee), I ordered some of the pics of you and Charles that were on your website the other day, especially the one of ya’ll standing and looking(that’s so you!! And some friends on EBAY who sell your pics and items are giving me (free,isn’t that something?) a bobblehead, a winning ticket and a program from one of your races.Wow, I’m in heaven. I’m happy you are doing so well and had a great checkup but i must admit I felt a sad pang in my heart when I read that you will not be ridden again. The thought is just shocking that after us seeing nothing but that for so long, that it won’t ever happen again! Hope you got my Christmas card.I’m not sending a present, just making a donation to habitat for horses and after the wire. Stay warm sweet girl and remember who loves you the most after God, ME!! XOXOXOXOXO
rosemarie bandura
I don’t get it…..why will Zenyatta not be ridden again, can you please clarify this for all of her fans? Thank you.
Joan
Hi Zenny. I saw your last gallop that retirement Sunday morning on the training track, Steve on your back. I have some wonderful pics of you and Steve. AT the barn, when he dismounted he said well that is the last time anyone will ever be on her back. Sad to hear, yes, it was,because I knew that was the way things work.
You may wonder why no rider for now, but, in your new life, you will be very happy. A horses destiny is determined by man, not the horse. You ran beautifully at the track, now, you will run freely as it was always intended. A horse naturally runs, grazes,you’ll get it all figured out. I am happy for you. You will love your new life as it will be, it’s what nature had planned all along.
Merry Christmas, stay safe.
Bryna Dambrowski
Stay warm Queen Z. If anyone wants to do something charitable for the holidays, you can purchase note cards from http://www.rerun.com. The cards are actual replicas of pictures the horses have painted and the money goes to help retired race horses in need. The cards are called Moneighs (clever) and Zenyatta has a painting, along with Rags to Riches and others. I am thrilled to be able to help what little I can – thank you Zenyatta for another one of your special talents!
Retrospectiv
@ Rosemarie,
See my post a few above yours for reasons she won’t be ridden again.
Robin
Hi Z!! VERY cold and damp here in Cali!! Glad you enjoyed your pedicure. You are one perfect girl! Stay warm and safe pretty girl!! MUAH !!!! XOXO
Rosanne Glynn
I am very happy to hear that Zen will not be ridden again. For all you people that LOVE her, she is better off not racing. Zen says, been there , done that. Horses have a better life not racing. I know she was a race horse but glad her owners decided what was best for HER and not what people expect of her. Besides, why push it. God forbid if she got hurt if they decided to let her race (again)one more time. Jerry and Ann are good warm hearted animal loving people for letting her live a normal horse life now. That’s how I feel about it:) Love you Zenny..did you get a french manicure? Love you more than you will ever know!!! ooxoxoxox
Stephanie Q
Would love to know why Zenyatta would never be ridden again, not raced but ridden. That would be an interesting post:) Thanks
Sally
Z, I am so happy with you being content and looking forward to the paddock where you will have some freedom. I think you will always be happy when your fans like me are able to come and visit you. I feel, yes, you need to stay healthy with excercise so keep up your dancing too. I don’t understand quite why some are concerned about you not being ridden. Having a baby is first on your agenda. You can always learn dressage; you know so much by yourself already! I just need to know when I can come from Wi. to see you. All I want is to kiss you just once. Love
NDfilly
I am sure your pedicures are a bit different than the little whirlpool I love to put my feet in. Can you share a bit more detail on how your manicurist/vet actually takes care of your hooves and how often does it take for the next session. Sorry to sound a bit ignorant, I am interested in what your horse dentist actually does as well. What certifications or degrees does someone need to do these jobs. I bet there are a lot of young people who would like to know what to study.
Barbara Wood
I appreciate the common-sense explanation about being ridden while pregnant. I guess it just never occurred to us that you wouldn’t be ridden while you are waiting for that. I’m sure your family will explain it all to us who need to learn more about that part of it all. At least you won’t have to be “saddled” with all that gear.
Mary Copelin
Would it be possible to ban the inappropriate comments and language such as that used by Rebekah in the 12.18.10
post? Queen Z, her team and fans are too classy and far above anyone who would communicate in such a crude manner.
Mary McQuire
Rebekah…out of respect for all the people who are interested in Zenyatta and for the horse herself, can you please clean up the language!?
Vicki B.
Thanks, Retrospectiv, for some education about why Racehorse mares are not ridden, especially “after turned out with a group become herd bound over time and do not like to be removed from the group”, and that other horses in the group wouldn’t like it, if she were ridden. It just wasn’t making sense, otherwise, and sounded more like “tradition”, than “reason”. I kept wondering how and why someone made the rule that broodmares must not be ridden, even when not in foal. Not being a horse-person, I keep imagining that a racehorse would perhaps miss being ridden.
Jessica Boyd
Off-Track Thoroughbreds can and are ridden all over the world after they finish their racing careers. We have five now at my barn. They make wonderful riding horses, but do need down time after track life.
Zenyatta, you’ve done a grand job of explaining why and how your humans are changing your routines to match your new life.
I get that broodmares, especially one of your caliber, don’t get ridden. I understand the risks to both mare and foal, and the financial risk of taking a horse like you out, even for just a stroll.
But pregnancy (and post-pregnancy) are just as risky, if not more so in some ways, so I can’t help but wish for life a little bit beyond brood mare for you.
My guy loves me to ride him, even if it’s just at a walk. He would much rather be ridden than hang out in his paddock all day, and I wonder how you will take to not having a job, having that interaction with your rider.
Anyway, whatever they decide, you have given a lot back to the sport of racing, Z. Good luck, and congratulations.
Retrospectiv
@ Vicky B,
You’re most welcome.
Tradition does come somewhat into play regarding broodmares and not being ridden.
As Jessica ^ above noted, off track TBs are perfectly capable of being ridden after a little down time to settle into a slower life. Most of those who were not as successful as racehorses can and so go on to be riding horses. That is their “2nd profession”.
Zenyatta’s “2nd profession” will be professional broodmare. Her only job will be to get pregnant each year and produce a foal the following year. The first two trimesters for horses are not as eventful and normal RIDING horse mares are usually ridden.
TB racing IS a business and Lane’s End runs a BREEDING farm. It’s NOT a riding stable and is not equipped as such.
While Zenyatta COULD be ridden without too many issues, it’s just not what is done with valuable mares once retired from the track. I *know* she’s special to those not familiar with horses but it won’t change the course of her life now.
*Most* mares are perfectly happy once turned out and as I mentioned above, many *do* become herd bound and taking one out to go ‘riding’ would cause more stress than good. Breeding farms don’t want stressed broodmares losing VALUABLE pregnancies.
The stud fees for the types of stallions that Zenyatta will be bred to are well over $100,000. Not many owners would risk a pregnancy for the selfish reason of wanting to ride a broodmare.
In the last trimester, the fetus goes from the size of a cat to full sized term foal. NO mare would be comfortable being ridden then. Once she foals, all of Zenyatta’s time will be used raising her foal, until it’s 5-7 months old and weaned from her. By that time, she’ll already be pregnant again with the next year’s foal.
Not much time to be a riding horse ;-)
Samantha Peck
I know she obviously can’t be ridden hard but I wish people would excersise them a little bit. Like, I think its Clabourne Farm that does it, we’ll whichever barn it is, they excersise their stallions a bit to keep them mentally fit and happy, why can’t the broodmares have that too? I know they are probly worried about her injuring herself, but it’s just sad :(
Marci
@rebekah – not very cool to be using that kind of language on this blog. Don’t do that. Many of Zenyatta’s fans are new to the equine, TB’s and horse racing. This is why Zenyatta has been so wonderful for us. She, and her owners/connections/Lanes End friends – are educating everyone on this wonderful sport and Zen’s breed. Thanks Zen for all you have done for this industry. You are the very best.
Janet Cutting
I just want to say “Thanks” for all the info on why Z would not be ridden again–I had no idea the stud cost– I dont make that much in a year!! Lets just look forward to the future and seeing Z as a great mom. Shes also got my vote for HORSE OF THE YEAR–good luck Big Girl. Smiles, Janet
Mary
To those who are writing about “just the mommy thing” or whatever—-what better job is there? And believe me when they are writing “paddock” they are talking about A LOT of space, not a 24′ x 24′ pen. So don’t feel sad for Queen Z, she’ll have a good life, living like a horse should. She’s been ridden enough for one lifetime. The stallions (at some farms) get ridden, but there are a lot less of them than mares and they are being ridden in part because they are not turned out into the size fields as the mares, for as long as the mares, and also because they are handled more, in general are harder to handle, and this keeps them more amenable to doing as they are asked. (and I know this is a generalization, there are stallions out there who are sweethearts and mares who are hellions, so don’t get upset because Unbridled {or whoever you like}was such a great stallion.