Happy January 2nd Everyone!
I hope all of you had a wonderful first day of the New Year. At Lane’s End, we had a great time and our birthday celebration was FABULOUS! P.Q. and I teased each other that we did not look a whole year older…maybe a DAY, but certainly not a YEAR. Too cute!
In this photo, I’m enjoying a bit of fun with a friend’s 2 boys. Great way to celebrate the holiday season! To quote their Mom…”Zenyatta is the sweetest mare ever!” So kind of her to say! I do love children…as you can see…and ALL people for that matter.
Here, I’m back indoors after paddock time…but as you know, I spend a great deal of time outside each day. Recently, Jahlgren asked about ‘my winter coat’. I had made a reference to ‘growing one’ in a previous Diary.
Horses’ coats do grow in the winter weather. What happens is the hair becomes thicker. It is part of nature. Now that I am in Kentucky, this is nature’s way to help me feel more comfortable in this colder climate. This also helps me to be happy and healthy while outdoors.
Often, at the race track, you may see a horse who is ‘CLIPPED’. This means that the horse did get a haircut. There are special people who work at the track who have a job ‘clipping horses’. The cost of this varies depending on what type of clipping style is requested. In CA, prices range from approximately $100-120 per horse. It varies. This is a baseline.
Basically, there are 2 reasons to CLIP a horse. ONE…in the winter, if the horse’s hair gets too thick, it can allow a great deal of mud/dirt to stick to the underneath portion of the body. The horse can then become more difficult to groom. If this is the case, you may want to clip him. SECONDLY, in the spring, when the winter coat is still a bit too thick and causing the horse to ‘sweat too much’ during exercise, you may also want to clip the horse. It all depends on the individual horse, the thickness of the hair, and the climate and training conditions.
Some trainers do a partial clipping (also called TRACE CLIPPING) on the ‘bottom/underneath part’ of the horse’s body. When you see this type of clipping on a horse…it looks like he/she has a design or pattern outlined on the body.
Other trainers may want their horse to have a full body clip…meaning all over the body.
Then some horses don’t need to be clipped. During the winter, they do not grow a great deal of thick hair. This varies per horse…just like humans have different types of hair.
As a result, if the hair does not get to be too thick, the groom is able to keep the coat looking good. THIS WAS ME! While at Barn 55, I never grew a very thick coat, and my dear MARIO groomed me perfectly all of the time. Per John, he used ‘good old-fashioned elbow grease’ to keep my coat looking slick and fabulous! Also, I was a horse with great inner health which helped.
Now that I am outside quite a bit in a colder climate, my hair is getting a bit thicker. Being able to grow a ‘winter coat’ with my dapples and all still there…is a very good thing for me!
Stay warm and enjoy your day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Gloria
That picture is SOOOO cute. Kisses from Zenaytta! Thanks for the lesson on clipping! Stay warm and happy!
Linda (Canada)
Queen Z – what a great photo – you are the just the sweetest, most gentle lady…I’m with Peggy – can u ask the Moss’ to please please breed you to AP Indy? The lines are historic – The “Slew” only undeated Triple Crown winner/Secretariat – what can we say? wins the Belmont by 31 lengths – new World record (still stands)…..what better lines of “Royal” blood to breed the Queen of horse-racing to?? :)
Happy 7th b’day!
Linda Henderson
Longer hair or not, Zenyatta is still so beautiful and sweet.
OraJean Stevenson
Dearest Queen-Z, Thanks for all the information on “horse-keeping”, to perfection. I love reading all your Diary entries, and also the photos are a great addition. Thanks for keeping your fans in touch with you, beautiful Zenyatta!!
All the best wishes for your Health & Happiness in 2011!! Fondly, OraJean
Debbie
love you Z!!! can’t wait to come and see you soon!!! xo
Julie Ann in O.C. CA.
What another great picture of you and the two children! And, thank you for the lesson on horse’s coats in the summer and winter. I am learning so much about racing and horses from you and Dottie. I second Ingrid’s comment about what a great ambassador you are for racing and horses in general. Look at all of us here everyday! Some, like me, who simply fell in love with you because of all your exceptional qualities, and the others who “know” so much about it all! You and your team have opened a new window of beauty and the world of horses. I’ll check Mario’s FB page. One of my bitter-sweet memories of your Appreciation Day at Hollywood Park is watching Mario leading you back down the track with John following slowly behind. It was a very emotional moment. One that I’ll never forget. So, it is with chapters in life…and now a new one waits for you. Thanks once again for sharing these moments with us out here in the “virtual” world. Abrazotes! Andale!
Kimberly
QUEEN, GLAD TO HEAR YOUR WINTER COAT IS COMING IN.YOU NEVER NEEDE ONE IN CALIFORNIA. WE MISS YOU. WHEN CAN YOU HAVE VISITORS. WE WILL SURELY MAKE A SPECIAL TRIP TO KENTUCKY…
Karen Schmiede
Hi, Zen, Great pics of the kids and you. Have a great day,
Sarah Powell
Love getting a new picture – just precious! Keep the posts coming – each one serves to increase interest in all horses – I think Ann Moss said it best when she talks about what a wonderful gift Zenny is – she’s so much more than a race horse or a brood mare to so many people. I hope all of her team realizes just how important she is – I love reading all the posts and seeing that others share my feelings!
Patti and Don
WHAT A PRECIOUS PICTURE…THE TWO YOUNG BOYS AND YOU KISSING THEM. THAT IS SOMETHING THEY WILL NEVER FORGET.
IT WAS TRULY INSTRUCTIVE TO READ YOUR POST TODAY ABOUT YOUR NEW WINTER COAT AND HAIR CLIPPING. IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE US HOW MUCH TIME, EFFORT, EXPENSE AND LOVE IS PUT INTO HELPING A GREAT MARE LIKE YOURSELF HAPPY AND HEALTHY.
WE ARE GLAD TO HEAR BOTH YOU AND PQ HAD A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION YESTERDAY. WE AGREE YOU DO NOT LOOK A YEAR OLDER ONLY MORE MATURE AND READY FOR MOTHERHOOD. WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHO YOU CHOOSE TO BE THE LUCKY DADDY!
Paula Higgins
Nice picture of Zenny with the kids! She is the sweetest horse ever. Good information on winter coats Dottie!
kristen
Keep sending us posts. Would like to hear about your sleeping habits!
Lisa T
Zenyatta you are so sweet indeed…love the pic! Thanks for all the great info, I am learning so much about horses. Stay warm Zenyatta. XXOXX
Sue Fredrick
Thanks for the lovely photo, I sure hope to be in those kids spot some day and plant a big one on that nose. I heap blessings on the Mosses, John and Dottie, Mario, Steve, Mike and all the wonderful people at Lane’s End, it’s a wonderful farm and you couldn’t be in a better place. And I love the comments from Peggy and Linda re: AP Indy. My only addition is that he also is getting older and may not be retired from service soon. There are other stallions that will be good matches and will be around for a while yet – Indy won’t. So please have at least one foal from this marvelous stallion before it’s too late. He also has a marvelous personality like yours, I know, I kissed him on the nose at the farm. You’re the best and deserve the best. Luv to all
Barbara Wood
Dearest Z–
What an adorable picture. The amazing thing about you is that you are both GLAMOROUS and TOUCHING, depending on the circumstance, and you always act appropriately!
Seconds to the plug for Old Friends. They do amazing work. There are so many good ones, but lately I have fallen in love with Heart of Tucson (heartoftucson.org).
They literally rescue horses (the latest being a son of Dynaformer) who have been left to die and bring them back to life through love and care.
Sleep well tonight, dear Z, and thanks so much for the info. on clipping. We are becoming more knowledgable by the day. We want to make you proud of your fans. Love you always.
Jasmine
Yup I’m not going to lie. That picture is cute and I’m jealous!!! This was a VERY interesting read about the fur. More entries like this Z! I’m intrigued seriously! :)
Shari Voltz
Zenyatta I love the picture. I will show my homeroom tomorrow morning at school. Our Christmas vacation is over. I also am learning so much about horses. I take riding lessons but have not been able to ride for a while because of work and family. I called Diane (my riding teacher and friend) and told her all about you. She said she was going to check out this site. I wish you had a live webcam at Lane’s End so we could see you all the time live. That would be so cool. Well sweet girl I must get ready for school. Stay warm and BIG HUGS and KISSES from Shari in Ohio.
Joyce
This photo did bring tears to my eyes. This photo is a testament to the love and care that you have received during your training, racing and now retirement. Mr. Sheriff is a training genius, but Mario must be a kind and most loving groom. Queen Z shows the love and kindness she has received during her life, she is gentle but her 4 legged friends are indeed excellent horse people. This is a mare that has never known meanness or unkindness from people. She is trusting and curious and loves people.
Your song is so true, destiny has smiled on this Street Cry daughter.
Have a beautiful life and retirement. Stay warm and sleep well.
Give Charles the receipe I sent to you yesterday, I’m sure you’ll like it!!!
Sheri
Well thats good that you’re keeping warm Z! Its much colder in KY than CA! haha love you Zenyatta! Thanks for keeping us up to date! :D
S (steph in san diego)
Looks like fun in the barn for all involved. Just wondering about your new pal…how do the owners of PQ feel about her sudden fame on the farm? Who will her foal be by? Tell us a bit about your BBF please. But most of all..just wonderful to see you looking so wonderful and taking the time to keep us all up to date.
Sandra Ryan
If I ever meet you, I am going to kiss you on the lips…..just like I do my own horse!
Marianne Romanol
cxcxZenny Are U going to wear a blanket as the weather gets colder?
Marianne
Quarterhossgal
The picture of Zen with the boys is priceless!! There are so few newly retired race horses that you can trust to be so gentle. One of my horses ( a retired show horse) is a gentle gelding with the patience of a Saint. I have 16 4-H members and one day they were learning to saddle a horse. Time on My Side stood while 16 novices saddled him not always gently. He just sighed and gave them a kiss when they finished the project. Temperment is so important along with talent. Queen Z you have both. With Z’s temperment and body and ability there is no question she should produce great foals. I feel almost 60% of the quality of the foal will come from the dam. Have a great day Z.
Kathryn Cogswell
Years ago, we brought an older mare from the Willamette Valley to the barns of a respected horsewoman, Jackie Fulps. The mare was 20, a Bay Quarter Horse, never settled and badly mistreated. She had been a ‘heading & heeling horse,’ used to ‘log steers,’ and had been expert at one time .. . but left to become obese, never used, then forced to run after a heavy steer, she refused to log it. The man who had her, tied her down, left her there and Jackie brought her away from him, to rescue. We began slowly, just caring for her, grooming her, with gentle hand-walking and over time, she lost the cresty neck and brisket, and up through her hide, dapples began to bloom. They blossom as a sign of health, I was told, and she became gorgeous, trusting and funny. She settled easily, once, and foaled a nice colt that was the light of my life. Good care brings bouquets of reward, almost more to the care-givers than to the ones we shelter. Horses are resilient and respond more than you can believe when someone loves them. Zenyatta is the epitome of this truth, and anyone fortunate enough to see her knows it shows. Khc.
Sharon
ditto Julie Ann in California – I had a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes at the HP Appreciation Day ceremony when Mario led you back to the barns – while the loudspeaker played Bob Hope’s version of “Thanks for the Memories” – what a heartbreaking moment. It’s so to be able to comfortin to be able to “talk” with you (and wonderful Team Z) via this website and be able to keep up on how you’re doing. what a blessing
Linda / NJ
Hi Zenny: Glad to hear you and your barn buddies had a wonderful time celebrating your birthdays. I think we are all jealous of those young boys giving you all that attention. Lucky them!!! Sure wish I could be standing in front of you like that. Thanks for the info on clipping horses’ winter coats. I was wondering about that–if you needed to have a haircut or if you would lose your winter coat some other way. Thanks for today’s post and when you have a chance it sure would be fun to see a video of you rolling around in the snow and mud. How funny that must be to see. I am sure Mario is saying oh no Zenny, I worked so hard on your beautiful coat and now you’re rolling around in the mud!! Lol. Take care, Z and much love to you. Love, Linda
Ellen Zachary
you are so loving to all…stay warm and love to PQ!!
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Stay happy and warm dear sweet Zenyatta!
My Love & Blessings to you always!
Maureen
adorable picture. the kids adore her. and Zenyatta shows how much she loves everyone with plenty of kisses…how lucky are all of us to have her in our lives.
Barb France
Double ditto Julie Ann & Sharon..I too have that scene burned in my memory and my laptop with pics..truly a “bittersweet” memory. What a sweet picture of the two boys! Thanks for the lesson on winter coats..I just love coming to class with all the information your giving us non-horse owners. Stay warm and happy!