Good Morning,
You are all being so sweet about everything pertaining to ME! I am so touched. In yesterday’s photo, Joan, and several others of you, worried I had on bandages while in the paddock. You are so kind. I am fine and doing great!
Here is a picture taken while I was at Barn 55 showing how much WHITE I actually do have on my hind legs. In racing, they refer to white on the legs like this as ‘socks’.
Many of you may not have realized this…as I wore ‘white hind running bandages’ in all of my races. They were trimmed with 3 blue…’Shirreffs’ stable color’…tapes. The tapes help keep the bandages in place…and I think adds a bit of a design to them as well.
The purpose of these hind running bandages is to provide a bit of protection as John didn’t want ME to brush my ankles behind while running. This adds a precaution in preventing this from happening.
You may also have noticed from earlier photos of me that in the morning, I would wear BLUE POLO bandages on my legs. This is done for the same reason. Just a precaution to keep ME from brushing my ankles behind while training.
Many trainers use these types of bandages and for the same reason. The color of the tape and the polos usually ties into the barn’s stable colors. John’s stable color is ROYAL BLUE…so our tapes and polos are in a royal blue color.
The same is true of the saddle towel that a horse wears in the morning while training. Each trainer has a personally designed saddle towel which his/her horses wear each day while on the track. This is done so the ‘clockers’ at the race track have an additional baseline in identifying the individual horses for workout purposes. John’s saddle towel is royal blue with white lines. You may have seen it on me in photos.
Thus, when Shirreffs’ horses go to the track each day, they wear this saddle towel. They usually have on blue polo bandages as well. All of this is done to help the clockers be able to accurately monitor each horse. This way they can report the works and activity properly for the fans to use when handicapping. During the morning training hours, so many horses are on the track, training, breezing, galloping….that these tools are very helpful in making the horse identification process easier for them.
Have a great day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Nancy
@Suzanne
That stallion week. It for people to come look at the to
determine who they want to breed to and book. I don’t
think anyone will be visiting until after breeding season
which is what was said a few months ago. Z has not
fully adjusted and needs to do this for safe and sucessful
breeding which I know we are all excited about. Read
Balance your half sister delivered the Street Cry
Foal a is booked to him again. Your daddy is one
great race horse. Have a great day romping and
grazing in your paddock. OOOXXX
Lisa g
Ms. Zenyatta, a wonderful morning to you and yours. I did not get to FB last night, and reading these posts…I missed something. I promise I will catch up tonight, I had unexpected company getting into my Queen Zenyatta Time..puhleese. Love and Hugs, Lisa g
Judy Sims
Good Morning Zenny:
Another wonderful, informative post by Dottie for you. Loved the pictures. You are so photogenic and look great in Royal Blue, Queen Z. It’s such a joy to look forward to your daily posts and enjoy the pictures.
Yesterday was the last day for the Eclipse voters to send in their ballots and I hope they did the right thing and you will be the HOTY. However, no matter what the outcome I have done the math and here is the answer I have deduced: 271 ballots sent out for Eclipse voters versus 57,000 plus Zenyatta fans and over 5,000 fan votes on your HOTY Facebook site. Win or not you are still “The Greatest Race Horse Ever” and “The People’s Choice” and “Horse of the Decade” and “Horse-of-a-Lifetime!” One award not given will never diminish your greatness.
Hugs & nose kisses.
Judy
Nancy
Thank you so much, Zenyatta for your diary entries. I’ve read every one. You are so lucky to have such a wonderful family who loves you so deeply and who is gracious enough to let your fans be a small part of your life.
Sarah Powell
So glad to see this post and all the good info! Queen Z is beautiful in the blue (and always). I, too look forward to the post and all the responses from other fans. This really is the most positive blog anywhere on the Internet. Thanks Dottie for continuing these posts!!
Casey Laughter
HEY Z! I cannot wait to head to Kentucky this summer, and while im visiting colleges for Equine Industry, I’ll be hopin to go around a time where I can come see you! Hope to see one of the best racehorses I’ve ever seen race =]
Mary Hale
Thanks so much for the detailed posts. They are so informative and give us a view from the inside (for those of us who don’t have a horse but always wanted one). I do have a question about dapples. I know what they are but what is the significance — good health? Please keep those videos coming – have to get my Zenyatta fix. Lady Z – you look very happy and content. Hope to meet you one day.
Cheryl Smith
You are so BEAUTIFUL! I have a question, how was your parents chosen?
Jenna
Good morning, Dottie, Z, and everyone. I haven’t yet seen Secretariat but I heard this passage was stated at the start of Secretariat:
‘Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?
Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting?
He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray.
He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword.
The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and lance.
In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.
Job 39:19-24 (NIV)
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Thanks for explaining things to us out here-kind of nice getting it straight from the horses mouth so to speak! Glad that you are doing so well-you sound so happy!
Love & Blessings to you Zenyatta
Stella Bagwell
Dear Queen Z, you should not only win horse of the year (and century)you should also win Miss Photogenic! You have posing down to an art and look absolutely gorgeous in every shot! Has anyone been keeping you informed of all the racing news? Maybe you and Pirate Queen can find a TV somewhere in the barn and watch the simulcast from Santa Anita. :)
Hope you have a day full of treats and nice weather.
Love and kisses,
Stel
Debbie
Thanks for the updates. We can’t wait to come see you! We just got our pictures from Bloodhorse of you out running in the snow and as my daughter said they are amaZEN!!
Lauren
Dear Queen Z – Thank you for making my day brighter by sharing your wonderful posts with all of us. You truly are a gift from god. If there is a chance that you would be receiving visitors at your new home, that would be great. I live on the east coast and would love to see you in person one day. All the best beautiful girl.
xoxo
Dani
I have always loved the ‘socks’ on horses. I think that they are very cool looking. And of course reassuring for the safety of the horse. You take the prize for fashion statement with yours though. I think the white with blue stripes shows the sporty side of you and the blue polo socks say ‘jock’ and I don’t mean jockey. In that photo with Steve where you have on your jock socks, you look like you are seriously checking out the competition and thinking, ‘hmmmph, just wait until I get out there’…..My boss is not in today so I am making a Zenyatta fashion statement myself. I don’t have bandages on my ankles but I do have teal, pink and white striped socks on and my Zenyatta t-shirt. I also wore my Zenyatta baseball cap on the way in…..Am I crazy or what?….Thanks for keeping the posts coming. I was having withdrawal pangs yesterday waiting for this latest….Enjoy your day Zen. Thanks Dottie…. xxxooo :)
Maureen Feely
Thanks for the information Zenyatta. Always try to learn something new every day.
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Are these training bandages the same as what they refer to as “run-down” bandages? T.V. commentators always mention this in connection with Belmont Park being “deep” but not exactly what this all refers to. Is deep about type of surface or literally depth of a same type of surface? Is this like a skin abrasion? About those “new” morning pics of you. I am so jealous, could NEVER be photographed at least until after 12. . . .but You. . .”YOU LOOK MAAHVELOUS”!!! P.S. Watch out for those carrot trees they were feeding you. . . wouldn’t know where to begin with a “Horsey Heimlich”. LOVE & HUGS
Eileen
Thanks so much for keeping us informed of your daily routines and teaching us about racing and race horses. It’s so good to know that you are happy and so well cared for and soooooo loved, by all!!
Linda Deutsch
Thank you, Z, and Dottie for all the “lessons” – it is so interesting to learn all about the details of your life and training, etc. I have a happy heart reading your posts and so appreciate Dottie and staff for all they do. BIG HUGS!!! And a special nose kiss for you, Z.
Jenna
Thank you, Dottie for all of your information. For future information, what is the proper way to feed a horse? Many have commented on the newest video and how the children shouldn’t have given the carrots straight up and so quickly. I also noticed the adult woman patting Z on the neck while she was eating. I’m not horse smart, but I think both actions didn’t seem right.
Thank you for everything, Dottie.
Patricia
Thank you for the UPLIFTING post…very informative. Lots of Love
Linda B
:)
Helen
Oh my gosh!!! Zenyatta and Dottie (All Team Z for that matter),I
hit the computer daily for your posts. Until your first book is published, I print every one. Each one has educated me and I love them! Please, when you have the time, give us a description of your typical day at Lane’s End now that you have settled in over the last month. I really enjoyed the story of your day at Barn 55 in your commemorative Blood Horse issue. Would love to learn more about your human and animal buddies. How many pals share your barn right now? Look forward yo your every move!!! Keep healthy, happy and rest up, you are going to be busy in a few months!!! Goody!!!
NancyP
Thank you Beautiful Girl and Dottie. A few times I watched horses train at Belmont and found it difficult to not only identify the horse, but the trainer as well. This information makes it infinitely easier!
Even though I don’t always post a comment, I love reading yours and Dotties.
Stay well,
NancyP
sg
@respectiv-thank you for answering my question regarding feeding. I noticed others have also inquired as well (facebook too).
Z, I hope you’re having a lovely day today.
Much love. :)
Stephanie J Lambert
The old saying was that “socks” of any kind on a horse was Bad Luck, You have pooved them wrong Baby Girl!
alene
Hi GORGEOUS Zenny. I appreciate all of the info that you share. Most of all I am just glad to hear how you are doing and that you`re well.So you are the Number female horse. WOW!! That is quite the complement. There have been many super stars and just think you are #1… That is really saying something… Well Zenny< i`m at work. Need to go Lots of BIG hugs and Kisses…Alene ps. Thanks Dottie
Lisa in Colorado
Love every bit of info you share with us, Z. You are the most gorgeous creature on the planet, and one of the kindest as well. Tell Dottie thanks.. We love her too.
OraJean Stevenson
Dearest QUEEN-Z & TEAM-Z,
I love reading your posts every morning, and you (Dottie) are so special, for doing this for Zenyatta’s Fans !! Keep having FUN, Z, and stay healthy. Love to your Team-Zentucky, too.
Fondly yours, OraJean
Richard
Zenyatta; love the posts, please keep them coming. Especially love the photos and videos that are being taken and hope to keep seeing more. I wonder if at some point you and your people could comment on a couple of questions? One, has anyone approached your people yet to do a book on your life? You have such a wonderful story to tell and I hope some talented writer will take that on.
Second, and I know you must get this one a lot, have any decisions been made about people visiting you at the farm? Do you know if fans will be able to visit in 2011? I want so much to be able to see you once in person and will gladly make the long trip from Minnesota to do so. Hope that this coming year fans will have that chance.
Love you
Melissa
Thank you for this information. I always thought the bandages were for support of the tendons in the legs. Never knew the color of the tape, bandages or saddle cloth were a means of identification. But this makes great sense with the amount of horses working out in the mornings