Good Morning,
I have been having so much fun! I am really starting to feel like I am one very POPULAR HORSE! Thank you for writing so many nice things about me!
Yesterday, in the morning, JOHN and MARIO called. I was able to visit with them via TANGO. It was great to HEAR THEIR VOICES. In the afternoon, MY OWNERS called and we got to TANGO. I’m just getting up to speed on my “tech skills’…and being able to see and hear my friends on the phone like this is a real thrill. Technology is totally amazing to me!
Earlier today, Sarah put some footage up on my FACEBOOK page. I had some special family visitors. The children were so much fun. They also wanted to share with me that MY DADDY, STREET CRY, literally lives right by them. Their DAD works with MY DAD…and they get to see him all of the time. The whole family came to visit and brought me lots of HUGS from my DEAR DAD. Sweetly, they also told me HOW PROUD HE IS OF ME! I am so honored.
I know in the video, I am really ‘woofing’ down the carrots they brought. I’ve done this in the past…and rest assured, I do chew my food carefully. I LOVE carrots! And yes, my other friends in the barn also had lots of treats! I am quite good at sharing!
Several of you have also asked for a video of me PLAYING in the MUD. Sarah is getting here early each day and trying to get this …but I’m teasing her right now. (She is a very good sport!) Every time I see her, I jump up (covered in mud) and run right over to her! I’m sure she will figure out a clever way to surprise me soon and get video of me rolling in the mud for you…and she is trying! But for now, this is a FUN GAME I am playing with her!
When we talked about the different bandages yesterday, Cathleen asked about the ‘red’ color on some of them. Dottie included a photo above to help illustrate this for you. The red color is red chili pepper. These big white bandages are called ‘standing bandages’. They are made out of a nice cotton fabric. The primary reason for wearing them is to protect a horse’s legs while in the stall.
Thus, when I’m in my stall, moving around, laying down, sleeping, or getting up again, the intention is for these bandages to keep me from hitting, nicking, or scratching myself. Mario would dilute the red pepper so he could smear the substance on the bandages as shown in the photo. He would put just enough pepper on the fabric to keep me from ‘amusing myself by playing with them or removing them’. Doing this can be a FUN GAME FOR ME…but not Mario. In truth, I did want to cooperate and keep them on for protection! So, I’d go along with Mario’s plan and NOT touch my bandages! I was a very good girl!
At Lane’s End, they often put standing bandages on me when I am back in my stall. Again…for protection. The just want me to be totally safe.
Elena asked about Mario’s Facebook page that someone started for him. John checked it out for you…and it is under: MARIO ESPINOZA, GROOM!
WOW…just heard DON ROBINSON…who foaled and raised me…is coming to visit. It will be great to see him again! I better get ready!
Have a splendid day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Sally
Hi hon Z; I am not computer savy as I finally got one when I retired. (Sort of like you retiring, but believe me, I am having some problems and you know much more that is going on in your life than me) I read if I wanted to see your videos that I should go on your web page Zenyatta.com for facebook. When I search for Zenyatta.com I get so many possibilities. I do not get anything that comes up to click on facebook. What am I doing wrong. Sorry Z, I want to view everything, but I am older, not wiser in this stuff! ha, Love you so much
Sharon Call
@Sally. You’re almost there. Just go to the top of this page and in the upper right-hand corner, you’ll see a blue rectangle that says “Facebook”. Just click on that and it will take you directly to Z’s facebook page. Just a little bit down from the top of the page, you’ll see some choices, Wall, Info, Videos, Pictures, etc. Click on videos and you’re there. Then all you have to do is chose the video you want to look at. Enjoy!
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Sally: From here [where you have already successfully posted], scroll up the right-hand side of this [or any previous ‘Diary Post #’ page: see the little blue ‘FaceBook’ sign? . .. tap it & the next page is for Zenyatta`s FB pages. No need to register, just tap ‘Wall,’ then choose from along the top, videos & photos, by ‘Z`s’ & Other`s contributors. Can`t really make any mistakes & not having to be registered is nice; just can`t comment, but you can read others daily notes. Khc.
Ensign
@ Sharon & Lisa G,
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Ruffian’s hairline fracture of her right hind leg was well documented and never hidden information.
Yes, shin splints are very common on young horses, as I mentioned.
The fact remains that Whiteley would have never allowed Ruffian to set foot on the track that day had she not been sound at the time. Heck, he wouldn’t have even let her run had the starting gate not been on his prefered location on the track, nevermind had the filly been sore.
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Ruffian’s sire and dams issues are also all well documented but neither really pertains to Ruffian being sore and harbouring shin splints at the time of the match race or not.
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Consider the fact that Ruffian ran 11 times in 13 months (between May 74 & June 75). That’s including the time off for her hairline fracture to heal. Prior to that she’d been sound enough that Whiteley had her entered for the Champagne against colts.
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Whiteley knew the risks of a match race and if she’d not been right, she’d not have run.
EK
Sharon,I do not believe that Native Dancer was responsible for weak bone. He had 22 starts and won 21 including his last start.His sire Polynesian had 58 starts and his broodmare sire Discovery had 63 starts. His dam Geisha was out of Miyako who had 32 starts. His only loss was a second in the Kentucky Derby. Weak bone may have been handed down as a recessive in some horses from horses like Spearmint who had only 5 starts and was called a bad legged horse who passed on unsoundness. Shenanigans had 22 starts and her foals by Bold Ruler and his sons Reviewer and Bold Lad were the ones that did not race long(12,11 and 7 starts). Her offspring by Buckpasser,Neartic and Damascus had 21,32 and 54 starts.
Kathryn Cogswell
*”Was Ruffian`s break down in the match race man-made or was it just one of those things that happens?” *[YAHOO! ANSWERS ]. Looking for the vested interests in choices & ‘Follow The Money’ pertain to decisions for the welfare of creatures dependent for their lives & health on those choices. A defensive stance for either owner or trainer, rather than for the horse, ultimately defeats enlightened self-interest. The horse`s welfare serves all & win-win trumps win. Instead of running for their lives, the lucky ones — alive, sound & happy — run for their joy. Old-school horsemen subscribe to this mantle still & going to the track is a joy for everyone on legs — 4 or 2. Khc.
Morgan
hey big Z i hope your having a great time at Lane’s End and all my friends say it is nice to know you are doing well. I bet you miss racing and want to get sweet revenge on Blame girly. I so want to see a video of you rolling in mud and a pic of you covered in the stuff. Well looks like we got another thing in common lolz.(i yes love mud)
Robyn Mullhausen
Glad to hear you are having so much fun. Sounds like you are still being pampered like the Queen you are. I’m sure the folks at Lane’s End enjoy taking good care of you.
Lisa g
Native Dancer is a King. He never won the well deserved Horse of the Year, goes to show the voters do not vote correctly, then and now (2008-2009). All hail the Queen, Ms Zenyatta will win this year. In my heart she will always be HOTY>
June England
I watched the Eclipse awards last night. I’m so happy for you Zenyatta, those guys who voted finally got it right. When Team Zenyatta got an award, they all looked blue as if it was a consolation prize. That’s what I felt too. When HOY was announced, I cried but tears of joy for you. You’re a great girl!