Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #432

So special to hear from all of you! Photo by Sarah Campion

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

It is so great to hear from ALL of you in your loving Diary responses. As you can see, I am really adapting quite well to my new environment. My pals here at Lane’s End want to give ME ample time to do so before my big day arrives.

Horses DO sense change! We are creatures of habit… schedules and patterns DO matter to us in our lives. The familiarity with the people we deal with on a daily basis is also extremely important. All of these things help create a strong ‘comfort zone’ for us to bond to as we enjoy each day!

I was on a very specific schedule when I was at Barn 55 and an in-training athlete. I ate, walked, trained, bathed, grazed, and took my naps on a very definite schedule. I depended on these things being done with and for ME on a regular basis and would literally know what was happening next in my daily routine.

I fondly remember that each afternoon I would literally sense when it was getting close to 3 o’clock. I’d actually wait with my head poking out of the stall door and check everything out waiting for Mario to ‘appear’ and take ME out to graze. I so loved spending this time outdoors…grazing, relaxing, and just looking around. I simply KNEW when it was time for ME to do this! It is all so interesting…..animal instincts are so STRONG!

The same concept applies to my life here at Lane’s End. My schedule is organized and very specific. I eat, get groomed, go out to my paddock to relax, exercise, and graze at the same time each day. Then when it is time to go back into the barn and eat and rest, I can sense it. TASTY and I literally walk over to the paddock gate to wait for our handlers to come and get us to bring us back into the barn!

My perfectly groomed stall....waiting for ME!

I really love all of this…and the comfort of knowing what is happening next in my life is exceptionally important to ME!

In the upcoming weeks, I am beginning to sense I will have many NEW EXPERIENCES ahead of ME! Nature is such an amazing thing! I can’t thank my pals here at Lane’s End enough for encouraging ME to be properly prepared for these moments in such a relaxed, happy and confident manner. Everyone is so thoughtful!

I’d also like to THANK YOU for your ‘cuddly’ comments about MY PLUSHIE! I must say, I think it is not only TOO CUTE, but it also has a rather ‘nurturing’ overall feel to it!

With Love,
Hugs to All~ 97,853 Face Book Friends & growing. Thank you!
Z

Reader Interactions

326 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Zenny- thank you for the update! Your stall is beautiful and looks perfect for you. What a wonderful place Lane’s End is! They know just what you need. I was so glad to hear that you have the same people caring for you now. I’ll bet you know your routine REAL well :) Our Choctaw will meet me at the front gate if I am late at all from feeding Chester and Chopper. It annoys him to no end. He pivots around and stalks off to his “eating area” without greeting me in any fashion. Well, he is almost 28! He’s entitled and he knows it! When I am not “in trouble,” he is extremely affectionate.
    I hope you and Tasty are having a great day. We all love you so, pretty girl <3

  2. / Reply

    @Have time for one pilot redneck joke before I go back to work.
    You might be a pilot redneck if you passed your in-flight exam on the first try but flunked the written for your driver’s license – twice.
    diastu in tempe

    • / Reply

      Diana – love your redneck pilot joke. Here’s another one for you.

      You might be a redneck pilot if your toothpick keeps poking your mike;

      OR:

      just before impact, you are heard saying, “Hey y’all, watch this!”

      • / Reply

        one more;

        You might be a redneck pilot if you close your eyes and say, “I want to be back in Kansas, I want to be back in Kansas” and you land on the wicked witch.

        • Dear Signofthetimes, Rosemary McCauley and Diana S:

          You girls are giving Terry C. some good competition. Hugs, JB

  3. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta, Zenny’s best friend TT and Dottie – Thanks so much for today’s post ( as well as all the others). Keeping routine is very important and comforting. My dog Tessa does very well on a routine. She knows around 3-3:30 it’s walk time!!!

    I looked at my certificate and see that my Z plushie is number 46. I was wondering what everyone was referring to.

    I love that we all find it so huggable. A sweet reminder of our big girl , YOU!
    Please know we are all thinking of you. Have a safe and happy routine day. Pretty soon, there will be some changes in your routine.

  5. / Reply

    Chester and Chopper Update: The boys had their teeth checked and floated on Friday. Chester was a star and didn’t even require sedation! He had a couple of sharp edges but no bad teeth or anything like that. He is missing so many teeth, but we work around that. Chopper is missing a couple of teeth and some teeth are short and rounded off. The vet thinks they look great! I am so proud of them and love them a lot. They have had so much to deal with and never gave up or gave up on humans. Chopper is still suspicious of new things, but has gotten so much better! Chester is amazing- the ultimate survivor, for sure. I wish you all could see him with his bright blue blanket on- very dapper!

    • / Reply

      Susan, you should be proud!!!!! Not only of what the boys have accomplished, but the part you have played in their success. I remember standing with you and Chester while you were telling me that unless he improved, the farm may have not had any other choice than to put him down. Going from that to where he is now is amazing. It took alot of love and care!! I do go out on the Facebook site and check on how everyone is doing, I just don’t post. You are right, the boys look pretty snappy in their blue blankets! How are Rusty and Pepsi? You are one very special lady and dear friend!! Love and hugs, Dawn

    • / Reply

      Really love to hear the updates on your “guys”. They are so very lucky to have found you and you found them. Thanks so much for sharing.

  6. / Reply

    Mario told my sister and me all about your schedule and how funny you were looking for him when we saw you at Barn 55. We were lucky enough to visit with you and Mario alone for about 1/2 hour one day. It was such a special day for me……one I will always treasure!
    I know it’s a bit early, but my birthday is Feb. 25…..what fun it would be to share it with YOUR little one! You are in such good, loving hands at your new home. I know you and Tasty will have beautiful, healthy babies.

  7. / Reply

    Dear Z, TT and Z Fans:

    Too Cute that you and TT wait at the paddock gate for Matt or whoever is coming to take you back indoors. You’re both so beautiful and intelligent. Won’t be too much longer now you’ll be teaching Little Z to wait at the gate too. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ

  8. / Reply

    I have seen a trend that colts are a few days later than fillies. So this first one will be exciting to see if it is a I am really to get to it (so as with women) filly or I have to think about it (as a man) colt…..lolololol. Either one will be so precious!!!! Queen Z I can’t hardly stand the anticipation. I can only imagine yours. Have a beautiful day Z! Tell Tasty hello for me.

  9. / Reply

    Ah, so happy to hear that you are well and settled in to your new routine. I know how important it is to my OTTB. He’s gotten quite used to life as a retired racehorse, but certain changes still make him a bit unsettled at first. Some changes are inevitable, but we do all that we can to ensure that he gets adjusted quickly and easily.

    I must say that I wouldn’t have him had it not been for a renewed interest in racing. I owe my renewed interest to both you and Rachel Alexandra. And, well, when the time came that I wanted another horse, it was my desire to help a racehorse learn a new career. It’s been wonderful watching him learn new things and just be a horse. But, truth be told, I get quite a thrill when he takes off running free in the field…..wow! You can still the glimpse of his past life returning so easily. It’s breathtaking.

    Love and hugs to you and Tasty!

  10. / Reply

    PACE…PACE…PACE…
    hey there lovely…rest….exercise….eat….make sure tasty does too..
    about the boyfriend thing….I am sure you will make the perfect choice…
    but possibly you could consider that extremely handsome Australian guy that is up here for the season…..or even the son of my favorite black…probably not…but I really trust you to know best….just be healthy and happy..
    PACE…PACE…PACE…
    kisses for your soft nose and lots for tasty too…soft rubs for those round bellys and their precious cargoes

  11. / Reply

    Zenyatta’s post today regarding her schedule in Barn 55 provides an opportunity to repost one of our “Mario Gems” posted last August.

    **** ***** ******

    For those looking for a Mario/Zenyatta story to start your weekend, this one is particularly apropos for TGIF.

    Every day around 3 PM Zenyatta would run around her stall screaming for Mario. When he arrived in response, she was so excited and happy as if she had not seen him for weeks. She knew it was Happy Hour — time for a Guiness followed by grazing — two of her absolute favorites.

  12. / Reply

    Routine is certainly comforting as well as stabilizing! I’m always thrilled to see the pictures and read the stories about the fabulous level of care that Zenyatta is receiving at LE – as well as all the other mares, I’m sure!

    Just to be a little selfish, I’ve love to have Zenny foal on March 2 or 3 so that I could celebrate with other Dumplings/Z-sters that weekend at the Santa Anita Handicap!! whee!

  13. / Reply

    Received, my Plushie yesterday, And love it!!
    Your foaling stall looks very nice & comfy! Glad you & Tasty are enjoying your new home. Get plenty of rest Zen as you will be very busy when your little one arrives!
    Thank you Dottie for being the voice of our beloved Zenyatta!
    Congrats to you & John on your latest win with Mr. Commons!

  15. / Reply

    There were a couple of times when we were at barn 55 when you came out to graze. You could tell you were excited about it because you came out “DANCING”! One time James, Madison and I were the only ones there with you and Mario! We were so blessed and continue to be! YOUR MIKEY took us out to dinner at The Derby for Madison’s birthday last week!! He and Madison are lifelong friends and we are so lucky for her to have this experience! She loves horses and adores Mike (and you). All these experiences are to be treasured!
    Have a wonderful day Zenyatta and baby “Z”! xoxoxo

    • / Reply

      Barn 55 has always been so gracious to their fans – Zenny danced for many of us and we are touched by having been in her presence, not just during her races, but on the backside!

      Jane, yes, Mikey is a Rock Star with the charming qualities that our Zen posses…. I’ve seen how he adores little Maddie – TOO CUTE!!!

    • / Reply

      Jane what a great experience and how special for Madison that Mike is part of her life. Definitely treasures!!

      • / Reply

        Thanks! I forgot to mention that Madison is our granddaughter and just turned 7! ;-) She loves going to the track and meeting up with all the other Zenyatta fans and cheering Mike on!

  17. / Reply

    a fb friend just posted a video of my all time fav poem…. E.E. Cummings….”i carry your heart i carry it in my heart….every where i go you go” this is the most wonderful thing about life…it is the “root of the root” when you feel a profound love…such as i/we do for Zenyatta & you actually get the chance to live out this dream on a day to day basis… it is the greatest gift of all…i thank you from the bottom of my heart : ) : ) i have goose bumps from head 2 toe waiting for baby Zenyatta aka “American Honey” to arrive : ) : ) just as i did every time she danced on the track : ) : )

  19. / Reply

    Zenny – I love you so much!! I’m so glad that you and Tasty are enjoying your new barn and getting ready for your big day!!!!

    Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!!

  20. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta,

    It warms my heart to know that you are so well cared for and that You and Tasty are so happy and comfortable. Yes, you horses have an inner clock. I give my boys a snack of alfalfa at lunch time each day and they are always ready and waiting at their troughs at ten minutes til. They literally stand and watch for me to come out to them, just as you must watch for your handlers. This is so intriguing to me that You can tell time without having to look at a watch! :)

    Have a great Tuesday!

    Love and kisses to You and Tasty!
    Stel

  21. / Reply

    I must say your stall is fit for a queen. Dancing Queen , that is. You know her Queen Zenyatta. Have a great day gorgeous girl. You and Tasty enjoy the weather while you can.
    Love hugs and kisses

  22. / Reply

    Plushie certificates for sale, only $250.00. At this time I would like to welcome Shari Voltz to the club. She is the newest charter member of the Ohio chapter. I don’t know if I would brag about this to your kids, Ms. Voltz. I still can’t get used to addressing a teacher by her first name. @Rosemary McCauley, Denise in AZ and Diana S, charter members of Arizona/New Mexico chapter-You might be a redneck if your car has more than two exhaust pipes. @Marshall, president of North Carolina chapter-You might be a redneck if your insurance deductible is higher than the value of your car. @Judy Berube, president of New England chapter-You might be a redneck if you use your toaster to light your cigarettes. @Debbie G, president of Kentucky chapter-You might be a redneck if you use bailing wire to keep your car door closed. @signofthetimes, president, and Barbara Wood, charter member of Texas chapter-You might be a Texas redneck if your Friday nights consist of Budweiser and a mechanical bull. @Stephanie in San Diego and Vicki B, members of California chapter-You might be a redneck if your toilet is a five gallon bucket. @carol in Utah, president of Utah chapter-You might be a redneck if you kept your husband’s birthday present hidden in the shower for a week and got away with it. @Sue Fredrick and Sally B, charter members of Wisconsin chapter, presidency to be determined-You might be a redneck if your deer head on the wall is bigger than your husband’s (deer head). @Sandy in northern Ohio, president, and Shari Voltz, charter member of Ohio chapter-You might be a redneck if your outhouse is in your front yard. @Darlene Daniels, president of Indiana chapter-You might be a redneck if your toenails stick out of the end of your tennis shoes. @Marty R, president of Colorado chapter-You might be a redneck if your lawn furniture was in your house last summer. @Sue Colvin, president of New Jersey chapter-You might be a redneck if your care wa stolen by your mother to buy beer and Copenhagen. @Brenda S, president and Abigail in Montreal, member of Canadian chapter-You might be a Canadian redneck if your checks feature pictures of dogs fighting. @Susan in TN and Kari Bussell-You might be a redneck if your church has 500 members but only seven last names. You might be a redneck if your husband goes to museums to check out the naked babes in the paintings. You might be a redneck if, when you are asked if you are busy, you say “busier than a cat covering doo-doo on a marble floor.” You might be a redneck if you keep track of all of the belt holders in the wrestling associations. You might be a redneck if you have ever strained coffee or tea through a fly swatter.

    • / Reply

      See? I was afraid this was too far north. Zoning laws here in the “burb” allow out houses only in the BACK yard (LOL)

    • / Reply

      Welcome Shari Voltz!

      Terry – you are spectacular! It’s been stressful lately and the relief from laughing is great medicine.

    • / Reply

      Terry You Just make me laugh so hard. I LOVE YUR REDNECK JOKES. if anyone is having a bad day you can make them laugh. Your the best. Love that OUTHOUSE : )

    • / Reply

      Terry — LoL at the cat scrambling on the marble floor. And for hiding a present “in the shower for a week”. As for using the toaster for a lighter, I think my uncle Elmer might a done that once. And all I’ll say is, a 5-gallon bucket definitely is valuable in an emergency. Finally, I am sure glad I don’t need a Redneck Plushie certificate!

  23. / Reply

    Oh Zenny – I glad that you are happy at Lane’s End and that you are well taken care of, schedules are very important. I can’t wait for the BIG DAY!!! You’re Plushie is great and keeps me company at night while I sleep – THANK YOU!!

    As for the Facebook Fans – Great Job EVERYONE – Let’s keep it up. 100,000 before Zenyatta’s Foal is born – Hurry Time is a Wasting!!!

    Hugs and Love – Your compfy stall looks great.

  24. / Reply

    Ms Zenyatta, Happy Tuesday to you and Tasty. I just love this post, your schedule, and how you adapt so well to all your enviroments. I love the little extra about YOU/MARIO from the Kennedy’s in San Diego, I can just picture it…afterall, you are the Queen and Mario must not detain you from your wants and needs. I wish I could have been there to see you and Mario off to do your thing at 3:00 everyday. Mario is such a lucky guy. This post also gave me comfort that Matt and everyone are preparing you and Tasty for the BABIES, and you will be comfortable and peaceful as can be expected. I wish I could be there, Matt is such a lucky guy. I love you, darlin’ and you kow I miss you. Sweet dreams, all four of you…Lisag

  25. / Reply

    Hey Z – Thanks so much for these great posts! I love coming home after a days work and reading these diary entries and all the comments too, it’s really great to see what goes on on the other of the pond (so to speak lol). So glad you’re enjoying retirement Zenny, you’re going to be an awesome mamma! I have an OTTB mare, she’s not able to have any foals but she sends a *HIGH HOOF* :D

    I will be visiting California in the summer and I plan on going to Hollywood Park and Santa Anita, it’ll be really great to see where you and your friends have set hoof!

    Have an awesome day Queen Z!
    Take care of yourself and Tasty, love you girlies xXx

    • / Reply

      @ Mel from England
      The Z’sters would love to meet you at the track!! We love “putting faces” with the people who post here :-)
      Judy G

    • / Reply

      Mel, how wonderful that you will be visiting California this summer. I hope you have a fantastic time!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Mel from England:
      Hope you have a wonderful time this Summer at Hollywood and Santa Anita. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Mel, I second JAG’s remarks. We So Cal Dumplings will hope to meet you when you come to HP or SA.

  26. / Reply

    Horses just love a routine! I’ve been at the barn when the owner of another horse comes up the driveway, still out of sight to the horses, but the horse knows just from the sound of the (diesel) motor and the time of day that his owner is coming to feed lunch (or whatever) and will let out the loudest whinny! Also, please, people … mares know instinctively what to do when a foal is born, even maiden mares. And foals know instinctively that they should get to their feet as soon as they can and begin to nurse. All mom has to do is stand there, and that baby stumbles right to the correct spot. Humans only have to be around just in case there’s any problems (God forbid). I’m thinking of Zenyatta (and Tasty T too) every day, and praying for their safe delivery and healthy foals. By the way, one of my horses had her first (and only) foal unsupervised in the middle of the night, way out in a pasture, and by morning, the colt was already licked dry and keeping pace with a very protective mama. No one was expecting her to deliver for another week or two and she didn’t have any of the typical signs (bagged up, tail-head soft, waxing, dripping–none of that!) the day before. Good luck, Lane’s End staff!!

  27. / Reply

    Z, glad you and Tasty have everything you need for your big days to come! I know the people at Lane’s End will treat both of you to the best of their abilities. I got my plushie yesterday and fell in love with it. I have to agree with some of the other writers that the packaging was not great and I am just thankful everything arrived intact. Have a great week! Love you always!

  28. / Reply

    Got my plushie yesterday: what a beautiful thing it is, large and soft and with such a nurturing feel to it. Very high quality. I had to bring it in to work today to show everyone! Love you always, Z

    • / Reply

      @ PatB from NM
      I brought mine into work yesterday – they thought Zen and Baby Z were adorable!!

  29. / Reply

    dear zenny, there was a knock on the door this afternoon and I knew it was the plushie. yup, it was perfectly packed and I tore open the plastic bag to behold the most beautiful mare ever and her foal. I was in 7th heaven and I have them displayed now. My cat would love to play with them,but they are up high so nothing will happen to either of you.

    this is probably about as close as I will ever get to seeing you, zenny. they are also large too! lovely bushy tails and manes and I got the certificate signed by John and dotty too. wonderful, what a wonderful surprise. take care of yourself, mama and we all are praying for you. love, marcia

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