Hello,
It is a bit chilly here…but I am having so much fun just being ME and playing outside with my friends. My coat is growing out perfectly which makes me so comfy in this weather. I really feel I have adjusted beautifully to my life here at Lane’s End Farm. I understand I’m getting some visitors from CA this weekend…before they go on to Florida. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THEM!
Earlier a fan asked what ‘throwing the reins’ means and Dottie said she would get a direct quote for you from Mike Smith. She met with him a couple times to get this information for you…and it was cute. Mike did all of the actions….as though he was riding me…but it took a bit of time to get it put into a few descriptive words. She said it was adorable to see him explaining it with his hands and all of the movements. Amazing how you can do something a zillion times….and can show it with actions…but putting it into words is another story!
Earlier, we spoke of the RACING BRIDLE. It has 6 major parts: BROWBAND—which we reviewed earlier and REINS…which we are discussing today…are 2 of them. The REINS attach to the bit rings beneath the cheek pieces of the bridle. They should not be so short that a rider needs to lean too far forward to hold them properly…or too long that can get caught up in a rider’s feet or saddle. They should be just right!
Per John, “REINS are what the RIDER holds onto when guiding the horse. They are very important as the reins are a source of COMMUNICATING with the horse. In some ways, they are like a steering wheel…and/or a gear shift to let the horse know to pick it up or slow down. In racing, when you relax your hold on the reins, the horse relaxes with you. When you pick up the reins and take a tighter hold on them, the horse knows to pick it up and go faster. Moderating the reins indicates the speed you want the horse to go! These are all part of the lessons a race horse needs to learn during his/her career!
In the photo above, you see 3 of John’s riders breezing horses in the morning. Breezing…in this instance means a very relaxed type of workout. Each rider is holding onto the reins in a manner to accomplish exactly what John wants each horse to learn in this drill. Horses are learning lessons…all of the time!
PER MIKE SMITH…when you ‘THROW THE REINS’ you may do this for various reasons. The primary 3 reasons include: “1) to get a better hold of them 2) to allow you the opportunity to pull the whip through to switch sticks and 3) to get the horse to go into a DRIVE. This means to encourage the horse to pick it and ‘get going’. Also, by doing this, it moves the BIT around in the horse’s mouth and tells him/her you are asking for something and to pay attention to you.”
When Dottie asked him how I responded to this…he had some VERY SWEET THINGS to say about me. Per Mikie, “Zenyatta was PUSH BUTTON. All I ever had to do was ASK HER TO RUN…and she would literally respond to whatever I asked her to do. She was BIG and POWERFUL…and she was very happy to respond to whatever my body language asked of her!”
It really makes me feel good when someone I worked with so closely gives me a compliment like this! When you try hard to do your best…it is really NICE when your effort is noticed…and appreciated by your peers! Thanks MIKE…for making my DAY!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
jim
i am an x trainer. i pray for all horses everyday. i fell in love with Z after her 4th race. i watch all of her races almost everyday. i read her posts daily. i read every post you people write everyday. its the highlite of my life now. i dont go to the races anymore. its very hard for me. they told me when i started out do not fall in love with your horses. i have walked, groom, bathed, trained hundreds of horses in my life. i loved everyone of them. they were my life. i still talk to peiple in the business. they all say blame will be HOY. i expect him to win. i know a lot of people will be disapointed but i also know that we all know who should be HOY. i dont want to take anything away from blame. he is a great horse. but i also know Z is not only the greatest horse but also the most loved. no matter what we will always be here everyday reading and loving her with every thing we have. i have great love for all of you. god bless all horses in this world. god bless our baby Z
cheryl
thank you team z. all your reports are greatly appreciated and welcome its cold here too!! from ohio we luv you
Kari Bussell
Your posts are the highlight of my day. Thank you Dottie for understanding how much Zenyatta means to all of us. We all know how busy you must be. Please tell Zenyatta I love her. She means the world to me.
MaryAnn Donahue
Mike Smith loved you Z, so I am not surprised you responded to him and he to you. It was like a circle of love and respect. I think he was the perfect jockey for you because he is so sensitive, generous and kind. Sensitive, generous and kind are adjectives that describe all of Team Z. Thank you for all you have given to this racing fan. I fell in love with Zenyatta and racing just won’t be as exciting without her. So thank you for all the updates; I always feel as though Zen is “talking” to me.
You are a sweet mare!
hugs, carrots & love,
Mary Ann
Deborah Lawson
Zen glad to hear your coat is growing out you will need it if you are getting the snow like we are in WV. I look forward to your diary posts each day, thank-you!
Bobbi
Thanks so much for all this great information Zenny and Dottie. I guess I’m still a little confused about what “throwing the reins” actually is. I wonder if there is a video somewhere that might demonstrate this. I also echo Robbie’s comments about whips. Does that hurt the horse? One more question: Does “hand ride” just mean the jockey doesn’t use the whip? Thanks for your patience with those of us new to the horse racing world!
Linda Shull
Very informative.
Gail
Love your posts! I read them every day for a pick me up! I too was wondering if you responded to any verbal commands or clucks. You are such an inspiration by always giving your all! Thanks so much for your lessons!
Debbie
Dearest Z, Thank you for continuing our schooling! We love to be included in everything as we miss you so much, but we fans are so happy knowing that you in exactly the right place. It’s wonderful to hear Mike’s comments. Hugs!!
valerie chase
Excellent post Zenny! “You” do such a great job of putting into words what you are trying to express. I think I can speak for all of your fans – we never ever tire of hearing from you. I may not always respond back with a post, but never think I/We are not paying attention and looking forward to every written word. Please send our gratitude to your “family”. You are so loved! XXOO
Robin
Team Z – GIVE BIG HUS AND KISSES TO ZENNY FOR US WHEN YOU VISIT! WE MISS SEEING HER RUN!!!!!!!
Khara Covington
This is great fun! I feel like I want to start learning how to ride.
Shari Voltz
Zenyatta my 5th graders and I just read your post. They loved it.They asked questions and a few even knew the answers. Logan’s dad works with horses and is a groom at Mountanineer Park. We all love you very much. Especially Corey and class. Matt too. Hugs and kisses from Shari in Ohio Erin and Kaycie XXXOOO
mj
Dear Z, I read another depressing article today voting against you for HOTY because you only ran against mediocre horses. They blame this on your owners and trainer, saying too little, too late. There is no doubt that you would beat Blame 9 of 10 times. How dare they critisize your family for taking the best possible care of you. No wonder we no longer have a “Sport of Kings” but a sport of greed. You’ll always be #1 in our hearts no matter what the vote. GO ZENYATTA!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer
Gee, I wonder who your special visitors from CA on their way to Florida could be??????
Love your diary, Zen. Can’t wait to see you in person someday. I was a great fan of Forego and got to visit with him at the Ky Horse Park many times. I can’t believe that you are even taller! He was a very big boy!! Enjoy seeing your connections this weekend! I know that they can’t wait to visit with you!
Liz C
Please tell me someone will be on hand to photograph you with the CA Team Z when they visit this weekend! As often as I wonder how the Queen is doing, I also wonder how John, Dottie, Mario, Steve, Carmen and all Z’s California connections are doing! I feel like we owe them SO MUCH for all they have done and all they continue to do to keep us in touch with this once-in-a-lifetime horse. And I hope each and every one of them knows how profoundly they have touched so very many lives by sharing the gift that is Zenyatta with the world.
Lulu
I enjoy the diary every day. Thanks so much for posting it. Would I be too greedy to ask if the day’s photos could be made so that you can see a larger version if you click on it?
Jennifer
Liz, you expressed my thoughts exactly!
Shannon
Well, Miss Z, it’s cold out here in California too. Makes it tough to go out and clean stalls with much gusto. But having lived in Versailles myself once, I know what the cold feels like there too. Love your new fur coat! Looks good on you.
Lynette Lucas
You and Mike just made it look very easy when he rode you! Thank you for sharing all that info!!!
Angela
Excellent information Dottie, I love how much I am learning! Can you tell us anything about the different types of lessons on the track besides breezing? Thanks!
Suzanne G
Hi Sharon,
In case ‘L’ doesn’t see your post…
I saw this on January 7th…
‘The World Thoroughbred Rankings are compiled by the World Rankings Supervisory Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Blame’s performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic is the best performance on a non Turf surface in 2010 according to the World Thoroughbred Rankings, and places him second…’
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/59877/blame-second-in-world-thoroughbred-rankings#ixzz1AO7XhEJ6
I didn’t post this link earlier because it’s so depressing. Blame get’s 2nd and the same race, the same Beyer rating gets Zenyatta 10th! The Classic was a race of 6,600 ft. Zenyatta was at 5,599.5 when Blame was at 6,600. It seems that 1/2 foot was worth 8 places in the rankings. Not only that but Goldikova who is also extraordinary is tied with Zenyatta at 10th. BOTH of them are behind Quality Road. Some of these things are totally illogical to me.
Quarterhossgal
Queen Z, your visitors will probably stop again on the way back from Florida to celebrate your HOY award. Be sure to take lots of pictures and video so we can all enjoy your success! Good Luck TEAM Z.
Sue Fredrick
Wow it sure is great getting this info from “the horses mouth “, or should I say the jockeys mouth. I hope you all at team Z realize how much all these people who post and beyond, love and respect all that you have done with this magnificent creature. If you don’t win HOTY I will never watch the Eclipse awards again, and I certainly won’t give them any credence. If the human element doesn’t come into the voting, then why have ballots, just give points to each race and total them up in the computer.
@Monica Horn and Whatawonderfulworld I had read in a previous post that Hotstuf and been given a home at “Old Friends” and would go there sometime this spring. Does anyone know anything different?
Kiss on Z’s nose. Luv and Hugs
DEBBIE GUSTAFSON
thanks mike ,,for making Zen’s day ,doing what she loves most,,,running, and having fun,,Dancing is the most beauty i ever seen her do……..besides being her self,,,going to oaklawn,,i want the zenyatta doll,,making a special trip just for the doll,,,,,,,,,,
Rhonda Savino in CA
Hello from CA Zenyatta! That was an excellent explaination today. As I watch and learn more about horseracing it is so clear that you are one BRILLIANT and AMAZING GIRL. It was not easy to win all those races like you did and you made it look easy. Best wishes on the upcoming awards. I’ll be watching on the 17th and you always have my vote for HOY.
Enjoy yourself today. Hugs and Kisses.
Annette Reynar
Ontario Canada loves you Zenyatta, you are absolutely adorable. Many thanks to the people behind your daily blogs, I look forward to reading them.
Any word as to who your ‘lucky man’ will be??
We here all wish you happiness in your future days being a mother. Can’t wait for the day when its officially announced.
Have a great winters day.
Linda
When Mike Smith explained Zenyatta was “push button,” I envisioned the easy button from Staples. Only, Zenyatta has a “Go” button. Lol.
I hope Zenyatta wins the Horse of the Year award. No other mare has done so well in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. Her record breaking 19 in a row wins with her come from behind syle is UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE! Sorry, I am reliving that moment…..
I bet you could run her in the next few Classics as well and she would always finish near the top or win, regardless of the trip. She’s that great.
Sharon
visitors from California!! another great reunion! I know the visitors will give Zenyatta all the hugs and kisses that her fans would want to were we in their shoes! Love the information and I look forward to every post, every day!!
Eileen
Thanks so much for all this good information. Can’t wait to see Zenyatta win “Horse of the Yearr” on the 17th. Do you know who will cover this on TV?