Good Morning,
All of you are SO SWEET! Thank you for the kind comments regarding the photo yesterday. I’ll try to address some of the questions many of you asked here.
Firstly, MY TAIL is fine. I never had a lush tail. It was MY DEAR MARIO who worked so hard to keep it looking terrific. Here at Lane’s End, MATT helps ME with it as well. In yesterday’s photo, the wind was blowing and it was partially hidden. It is just fine…and NO, TASTY does not touch it. WE both always want to look our best…and having a nice tail is part of the LOOK! We respect this with each other.
Many of you asked about the SIZE difference between the two of us. I am a pretty tall girl, as you know, I’m right at 17 hands in height. In yesterday’s photo, I have my head held very high while I’m cuddled up to MY JOHN. (He is 6′ 2″.) I’m also in the front portion of the photo and TASTY is standing more in the background. She is a very well-built horse as well, and per MY JOHN, she is about 16.2 hands. She just appears smaller in this photo due to the fact that she is ‘peeking in at us’ while she poses and not standing as tall as she normally would. I really think it is a very cute picture and shows how sweet we are with each other. I enjoyed sharing MY JOHN with her!
You know photography…sometimes if you are the one in the front…you appear a bit ‘larger’ than the images, horses, or people in the back. I am taller than TASTY but not by as much as it appears in this particular photo. She is a very attractive and well-balanced horse in her own right.
Yes, MY JOHN did check my legs. I have figured it out now that he simply can’t resist the opportunity to do so when he is around ME. In reality, it is second nature to him… and I must say…I really enjoy it! It reminds me of the many special moments I spent with him. Now, though, it is TOO CUTE! He has added a new dimension to this ‘checking up on ME’…and that is touching my BABY BUMP! He gives ME (and BABY TOO) several adoring and loving ‘pats’ on the TUMMY!
What do you think JOHN….is MY FOAL a colt or a filly? Only time will tell!
It is so hard to believe that the time is flying by so quickly. My due date is in early March. TASTY and I are both due to foal then. It will be interesting to see how much ‘we grow’ during the next few months!
I’ll keep you posted!
Have a great day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
maria McLeese
thanks for the tip on the new items in the Zenyatta shop. I ordered the sweatshirt of you dancing. Can’t wait for it to arrive.
Kathy Baldwin
AH,ZENNY…YOU AND YOUR BABY BUMP LOOK SO
VERY HEALTHY WITH THAT LOVELY SHINE ON YOUR
COAT. :) YOUR JOHN TAKES THE BEST PHOTOS!
I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES TASTY LOOKS AS BIG OR
BIGGER THAN YOU IN SOME OF THE PHOTOS, IT IS
JUST THE WAY PHOTOS ARE SOMETIMES. THANKS FOR THE NICE INFORMATIVE POST DOTTIE. WE DO
APPRECIATE IT OUT HERE IN THE LAND OF ZEN!
IT IS GREAT TO BE SCHOOLED BY EXPERTS. ;)
SENDING MUCH LOVE,
KATHY from SoCal xoxo
Margaret
@Jag
Michael Blake who wrote Dances with Wolves is a Wild Horse Advocate Extraordinaire. If you go to Pam Nickoles Blog on wordpress you will find the story of El Mariachi. It is maddening (Jason Meduna had Mari and starved him), and watching the transformation with Michael is sssooo beautiful.
El Mariachi is a tri colored pinto. Go see his picture and you will see.
Anita in CA
Another awesome picture of you, Zen, and a sweet story. I have been wondering if the gray coat gene is dominant, because of what you say about Tasty’s mom. And also, I keep seeing the beautiful grays that have come out of Tiznow. Maybe someone here can set me straight on that. In any case, Zenny, I am anxious for your foal and the time is coming!! You are looking fantastic and gorgeous. So glad your John got to check yegg legs & pat your belly and that he and Dottie have shared these beautiful pix of you & Tasty with us. ;-) Love you forever, Z. XXXOOO
Robin VENTURA, CA
What a great picture you look beautiful Queen Z! I am hoping for a filly! It would be wonderful if they could film the birth of your baby! LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER…
XOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Have a wonderful day.
Debbie
Z, you’re the best!
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
@Anita in CA, gray is dominant.
maryp (New York)
Zenyatta, nice that you have responded to the inquiries made by some…you are always so helpful and gracious.Regarding your tail, it is YOUR tail, and it is beautiful on you. Any other would not do!! All of you is just right!
Roseann
Zenyatta you are such a beautiful horse you baby can’t help but to be stunning like you. I am so glad we all get a view into your life and see how well you are doing.Thanks
Ida Lee
You look beautiful as always my Queen. Your baby bump is the cutest baby bump of all times. I can’t believe that just the other day (it seems) you were on the track raising all kinds of hell and now you look so serene and at peace. It’s just so awesome.
Celeste/ Massachusetts
Another beautiful picture of you. I hope that if ever Lane’s End allows your fans to visit you, I will be able to come. It would be the most amazing experience to actually be in your presence! The things you have accomplished are so wonderful. I think the best part is that you are so friendly and approachable. Can’t wait for the baby– I hope you will consider the name- A Simple Gift! Have fun grazing in your beautiful pasture!
Hamilton
Has anyone suggested Zen Dancer?
Barb Zylbert
Zenyatta looks great as usual.
Rec : Shapley’s MTG for the tail roots especially since Zenyatta has history of fungal skin infections……she could have undiagnosed mild folliculitis and MTG will take care of that! Also hard to grow much tail while in foal as all the groceries go to the baby!
Its a filly, of course!!! (Or so we hope.)
Lisa
You look great Zen. Can’t wait for the baby. I am sure it was planned that the two of your are going to foal so close together. Planned playmates! Too Cute. I wonder if Tasty will have a grey and I bet you have a bay. LOL. What an exciting time!
Allen
@Susan in Tn. where do you live in Tn? I live in Manchester. I have two retired TB’s that my grandchildren ride and make sure they have plenty of hugs, kisses, and treats. TB’s are very smart and loving horses.
Joanna from TX
I didn’t have a chance to check yesterday’s post after I put questions out there re TT. I did find out she was/is owned by Bill Farish/Woodford Racing LLC of Lanes End, so comment is correct…’she didn’t have to go far’ for breeding to Candy Ride. Tasty is just lovely too (I admit to a great fondness for the grays) and I find she had quite a good racing career in US and Canada. I have commented on the Z diaries before about irony – TT being Rachel’s 1/2 sister. It just proves the fates are smiling for these wonderful ladies. Can’t wait for spring!
harriett (Oklahoma)
I think the date will be March 24.
Such a beautiful photo of a beautiful girl! Thanks!
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
Laura J (Cincinnati, Ohio) provided link to Tasty’s pedigree chart. 13 up from bottom, Diary #377. Thank you, Laura.
Alex Bowdoin - MA
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA, It would be nice to get a few “Dumplings” to join “Defenders of Wildlife”….Back to “Dances”, I did love that “Smart Horse” Cisco!!
jennifer
Can’t wait to see yours and Tasty’s foals!
Will you have separate paddocks after they are born?
Prayers for a safe foaling for both of you! No complications, okay?
Susan Romano
Z and D and connections, I look forward to this every day!!! Thanks for keeping us posted. Susan in SO CAL.
Trisha
I hope you have a colt, because if you have a filly she will always be compared to you and will try to live up to your image. I don’t think there will ever be another one of you. On another note I would love to see you have a filly just like you. Whatever you have it will be loved just like you.
Love to you, your team and family
Love, hugs and kisses
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
@ Alex Bowdoin
Oh, yes! I loved ALL the horses in Dances… gloriously made up for “battle”! I never tire watching this movie! BTW, I, too cried…
Yes, Z Dumplings here’s the link for Defenders of Wildlife:
http://www.defenders.org/index_v2.html
Julie DuVall / Ontario, CA
These photos of YOU and Tasty in the paddock are wonderful! Please thank YOUR JOHN for taking them and sharing them with us.
I had a crazy, hectic (and LONG) day at work yesterday but when I got home there was a package for me. In it was the Breyer Christmas ornament of YOU! I missed out on one last year because I didn’t order soon enough, so this year I made sure to order early. Even at just a few inches high, YOU bring a smile to my face.
I think your tail looks beautiful, by the way. :)
Bonnie MacRaith
Awww, thanks Dottie and John and All for the great photos! At this point Zenyatta I don’t think it’s a baby “bump” anymore…I would say more like a rising…everyday growing more formidable, powerfully maternal yet feminine. Good Job Girl!
The Kennedys in San Diego
YOUR JOHN is a self-admitted leg man — both equine and human. Regarding your height, it has been reported many times to be 17.2 hands. Which is correct?
***** ***** ***** *****
Watching you graze is wonderful, listening to graze is glorious — how I loved to place my ear inches away and listen to the sound.
Celeste
You are so beautiful, Zenyatta. I love to see these photos of your grazing in the lush bluegrass of your new home – it looks so serene and peaceful for you. I love how your approaching motherhood is blooming – you are so gorgeous – it just fills my heart. Thank you.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z and Z Fans:
Thinking of you and hoping you are all well. Z you look gorgeous. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
D Stuart
@Zenny: The photos these past couple of days, and your story today just made me smile so much! YOU are ADORABLE! The Hug Photo is ADORABLE! I’m so glad YOUR JOHN shared a hug with Tasty too.
I’m pulling for a filly on March 17th (St. Paddy’s day) even though that will make MY GOOD FRIEND JAG mad at me ’cause she wants a boy on March 9th. Sigh. Can’t please us all. HEALTHY IS WHAT WE ALL WANT!
Later I will tell you about a horse I rescued Sunday – one of your “cousins”.
diastu in tempe
Jill in Jersey
Good afternoon, Zenny! You look absolutely wonderful. You must thank Dottie and Your John for giving us so many beautiful pictures? BTW, I started calling all my animals down in my barn – goat, barn cats, my horse – my dumplings! Great word – just seems to fit! Enjoy this beautiful weather.