Good Morning,
YES…I am very excited to have my CA visitors stop by and see me this weekend. Thank you for mentioning this in your responses. I am sure that JOHN will take many photos. I know he’ll be delighted to share them with you! As you may know, he loves photography!
Yesterday, when we talked about the REINS…(and yes…all of those terms you noted do fit Mike Smith’s basic concept)…John mentioned the REINS ARE THE PRIMARY WAY A RIDER COMMUNICATES WITH THE HORSE.
In conjunction with this, John wanted me to add that “HORSES HAVE A WAY TO COMMUNICATE BACK TO THE RIDER…AND THAT IS THROUGH THE BIT! It is ALL ABOUT A HORSE HAVING A HAPPY RESPONSIVE MOUTH.” In RACING, almost ALL of the communication by the rider is through the reins and the bit. The rider’s legs are not as important in giving the horse clues as it is when dealing with riding other breeds of horses. This is because the jockey spends so much time in a crouching position. The hands and touch on the reins holds great significance.
Thus, it is a very interesting dynamic…RIDERS/REINS and HORSES/BITS. The way a horse communicates back to rider through the BIT is how he/she holds the bit in the mouth: tightly, loosely, or on one side or the other. The rider must pay close attention to ‘how the horse is playing with the bit and responds to it”. This is very important.
There are many different types of bits. To name just a few, there are ring bits, snaffle (D-Bits) and leather prong bits. Perhaps if you have time, go to a tack shop one day and just look at the variety available. How a different BIT is selected for the horse depends on the horse, the horse’s response to the bit, and the type of message that needs to be developed through this communication. The trainer makes this decision while working with the horse.
Per John, the trick is for a trainer to find the bit that is most comfortable for the horse. It must be one the horse likes and responds to well when training and racing. The bottom-line is that the horse learns his/her lessons and responds to the equipment when asked by the rider…relax, change gears or pick-up speed.
A horse’s mouth is very sensitive and plays an important part in the ROLE of the BIT. Horses have dentists who check their teeth often…for general health reasons and also to be sure this equipment fits comfortably in their mouths. My dentist, Sonny Wilson, would check my teeth quite a bit. Horses’ teeth can develop sharp edges due to the fact that when they eat, they grind their teeth back and forth. Sonny would FLOAT (file) my teeth when needed. This was approximately every 3 months. He’d do this to be sure the sharp edges were taken care of properly and to be sure my mouth was comfortable.
As illustrated in the photo, I wore a K-K Snaffle Bit with a Roller. You can see the roller in the middle. It has 2 joints in it which added to my comfort. The K-K part simply notes that a special company made this bit and a metal alloy was used in the product that was really nice in my mouth.
It was also very important for ME to keep my tongue under the bit while racing for breathing purposes. (This is true for all horses.) Thus, per John, the roller in the middle of it also acted like a bit of a ‘pacifier’ for me. I would PLAY WITH IT while it was in my mouth and it would also kind of amuse me to do this. BUT, AT ALL TIMES, I also knew to respect the BIT and BE RESPONSIVE to it. I clearly understood all of the different messages Mike and Steve were giving me and what they were asking me to do…and I responded to them. They, in turn, did the same for me! We had GREAT COMMUNICATION!
Communication, as you know, is so important…on so many levels!
Off to play!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Marian M.
These posts are so informative. Thank you.
J Smith
Calling Los Angeles fans, or any one really, I just heard that we can vote for the top 10 sporting events of 2010 in Los Angeles/Orange County at http://www.lasports.org There are 3 choices from each L.A. Team, or event, to choose from. Not one mention of horse racing or Zenyatta! What? How can our home town girl not be on the ballot. What better team than Team Z is there in L.A.? I hit the ‘contact us’ button (top right) and asked why Zenyatta was not on the ballot. No response as yet. Maybe they need more people to email and ask for her to be put on the ballot. Balloting ends Jan 31. Results announced at a televised dinner in Feb.
Jan
Zenyatta,
The information is so interesting. Can’t wait to hear more. Lots of Love & kisses. :)
J Smith
RE. MY PREVIOUS POST. VOTING FOR 2010 BEST SPORTS MOMENTS IN LOS ANGELES – ZENYATTA IS ON THE LIST NOW. So do vote for her, but don’t hit the contact us button! Hit vote now, then you have to make up a user name and password, then it takes you to a list of things to vote for, click on INDIVIDUAL SPORTS and vote for Zenny. http://www.lasports.org
Bobbi
Hey Zenny and Dottie, I have another question related to communication between horse and rider: How does the jockey get the horse to change her lead? Does that have to do with the reins, too, or is it more about the jockey changing position on the horse? Thanks!
Kitei
Yes, no one should belittle Blame, especially as he is a close member of Zenny’s family. These two actually have more ancestry in common than if they were “just” half-brother and sister. It is too bad for him that someone gave him such a seriously awful name! (Can anyone say why??) He would probably have many more fans without it! I suppose, it must have made him a philosopher! Sort of like “a boy named ‘Sue'” — gee maybe they could call one of his babies something like that! LOL
Michelle
Thanks for the great information. Love you forever Zenyatta! I vote for Dottie for an Eclipse Award for Racing Manager (I don’t think they have one but maybe they should). Dottie you do a great job and we appreciate you.
Ollie
Thank you Dottie for this most informative
bit about the “bit”.XOXOXOXO to all of you
for all the wonderful and daily updates
about Zenyatta and all the people that
took such good good care of her.
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
A “Good Bit” of information! I never knew there were so many different types available. How to know which one is right for your horse. Trying them out could be very costly or has someone posted a comment about a horse responding well to the equipment used & then one day. . . .just in a different mood. This is really a science isn’t it? Bet you don’t miss whatever they put in your mouth ONE BIT. Big Hugs to Big Z.
L
@ Carolyn Caswell-Brown.
Regarding knowing what bit to use, most starting facilities will have a ‘go to’ bit style that they’ll start each young horse on. From there the horse will tell them what he/she needs from the way they respond to that first bit.
Say you start a horse in a simple D ring snaffle and he won’t drop his head and stride into the bridle. You might shift to a bit with a roller or keys to encourage him to play/work the bit and move into it. You’ll see a number of racehorses going in a ring bit, which is a simple snaffle with a ring attachment that gives a hint more leverage to the bit on the bars of the horse’s mouth to help lighten him off the bit and get him to use his back end more.
It can be a case of trial and error but usually there is a logical progression given how the horse moves and reacts with the initial bit.
Astrid
@Kitei – re Blame’s name – that was funny LOL but yes, no one should belittle him for his accomplishments. He really is a great horse but Zenyatta is out of this world!!:)
Trish & Mike in Colorado
We talked with a lady at the track one day in CA who told us that you, Zenyatta, in the post-parade at your first Breeder’s Cup, put your head over your pony’s neck and wagged your tongue at the crowd in greeting and salute !!!!!
Suzanne G
Hi J Smith,
Thanks for posting LA link to vote for Zenyatta. Noticed she got 2nd last year–1st was Lakers winning NBA!
Sandy
I am learning SO much by reading these posts. As I have mentioned before, I never knew anything about horse racing until I saw the 60 Minutes piece on Zenyatta and fell in love! Many people have mentioned watching the Eclipse awards on TV or on the computer so once again, I am asking for help from the kind people who post here. WHERE can I find either the TV broadcast or an on-line broadcast? Zenny, you still haven’t told me if you lie down to sleep sometimes???? Thanks to all for all of the great information, and have a WONDERFUL visit this weekend. Maybe the snow will finally stop here in the Ohio valley. Love from your Ohio friend, Sandy
Elena Erdman
Hello from (finally) sunny California to beautiful Zenyatta. I loved this post. So when you hear a jockey say “the horse is not grabbing on to the bit” does it mean the horse does not want to grab on or is not comfortable? What does it mean when the horse grabs on to the bit? I have heard that and was not sure what it meant. Does the tongue tie also assist you in breathing better? Also, why do some horses that go into the paddock have so many things in their mouth and around their mouths? Oh, Dottie and John, we are learning. It is so much fun. Have a fantastic day and keep on playing, what fun you are having your wonderful girl.
Carole
@JSmith — I voted. I hope everyone else does as well.
@Mars — Beautiful video. Thank you.
Richard
What types and how did you communicate with Mike and Steve through the bit? Very interesting and informative post.
Patricia
Thanks for sharing…glad to hear your family will be to see you in just a few days…how exciting…maybe we can get some more video??? I am sure Jerry & Ann cannot wait to see their baby girl.
XOXO
The Kennedys in San Diego
Yes, Blame is a nice horse, ah, but Zenyatta is one for the ages.
Elena Erdman
Hi Z and Dottie. Dawn, please tell me what “peeps” means. Also is there a way we can help Rosanna see the Eclipse awards since she does not have satellite? Anyone know? Maybe she can watch it on TVG or Blood Horse?
Anne
Hi Z! Yet another fabulous teaching entry. I know that some jocks trainers say have gentle hands. Does that mean they are better at taking care of a horses mouth during a race?
I am not surprised that your “dear John” made sure your mouth was well taken care of.
Did you get as much snow as we did today? Take care of yourself. Love you!
Christine Coleman
Hi Zenny! It was very interesting to learn what type of bit you used during racing. I started giving my horses aloe vera juice too, but I didn’t know how much to give them. I treat my horses monthly to prevent sand collection in their intestines by giving them 8oz of mixed Metamucil and water (per directions) PER 100 LBS, 8 oz. Aloe Vera Juice, a long squirt of pancake syrup x 7 days each month. I learned about the aloe vera from an interview with John!
I hope you had a fun play day today Zenny! I hated the fact of you leaving the track and retiring, but after seeing you let loose I am so happy for you! You are free to be a horse! One beautiful, magnificent, sweet, grand horse indeed.
I was reading about Rock Hard Ten! I didn’t realize he was your height or even taller! I doubt he would make a good candidate as a sire for your first foal! Isn’t he too big?
Love you Zenny!!
Lauren
Hi Z – you have taught me so much about the horseracing industry. I am so happy that you are having so much fun at the Farm. I hope you and your girlfriends are enjoying the day. Hugs and kisses,
Celeste
Thank you again for another great lesson! Having only ridden western (and it was more than forty years ago), it is fascinating to learn more about the tack used in racing. More and more I am learning to appreciate the horsemanship of John Shirreffs and I already believed he is a wonderful horseman!! All of Team Z is amazing. Thank you!
Nancy McNaul Applegate
Zenny, isn’t Quality Road also retired at Lane’s End Farm? he might be worth considering…..he’s a nice guy. you might like him.
jeanie langford
Wonderful information, we are all learning so much. I know you will be happy to see the CA folks. Is Mario coming? I would like to know just how fast you really are and what is the length of you stride? Good luck and stay warm. Hugs and kisses. Please more video, we want to see you.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Christine Coleman — According to the Blood-Horse Stallion Register, Rock Hard Ten is 17.0 hands. Zenyatta is 17.2 hands. Rock Hard Ten stands at Lane’s End.
Gloria
Welp, there’s nothing like coming home from work and going straight to school via Zenyatta.com. :-) Thanks for another lesson. Very interesting stuff. Hope all of Team Z is doing great and Big Mama Z is as happy as she can be!! XOXO!
Beatrice Lian
Thoroughly enjoyed this bit of information about Zenyatta’s BIT & all the updates from Team Z. Hope our wish & hopes will come true for our beloved Zenyatta on Monday Jan 17th. She deserves the recognition & acknowledgment of her star power & achievements!! Eclipse voters – please make it happen.
Snoprinz
Thanks for this bit of information. Now I know what a bit looks like and what its function is. What an exciting way of communicating using the reins for the rider and the bit for the horse.
Zenyatta I pray everyday that you will have your coronation on Monday as HOY. You truly deserve it. Have fun with your CA visitors and take lots of pictures.