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
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta
is the bit responsible for the salivating, you look like you built up a good amount of foam after every race? I’m glad a hanging tongue means relaxation, and not total exhaustion!!! A horse’s mouth gear is quite a contraption, but very effective and necessary. It was as usual very educational.
You have a good night, and sleep tight and sweet dreams of all your favorite things!!
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. What a great diary post. I always wanted to know about the bit and was always afraid that a horse was getting hurt when a walker, groom, or rider pulled on it. Thank you so much for explaining it. Weather permitting we will be going to Oaklawn on Monday – one of our horses may be running. Also they are giving out a bobblehead of you – a different one than the one I have from California. Now the trick is to find out where I can get to a tv that has the Eclipse Awards. I will definitely make sure we do not miss that. Love you so. Please stay warm and have the best time with your BBF(s).
Maria
Thanks for another wonderful information. We love you Queen Z. Looks like you’re going to be very busy this weekend. Have fun. :) Love you!!!
Tamyatta
I love you Zenyatta, so so much. If you were mine I would sleep with you every night. If you were mine I would be the happiest person in the entire universe:)
tony
I read in a post here that LE supposedly said visitors would be allowed to see Zenny in July. Is this true? Thanks.
Timmy Todd M.A,
Hail Ladyship and well met….Respect the bit????? Respond in kind????? Is that what you did so many times for us??? You Silly Girl….! We respect and respond to you and all that it entails… We loved it when you what “take-a-hold-of-the-bit,,,,and take off….Like a Super Mare…..They should have put an “S” on you for Super-Mare! Faster than a speeding bullet,,,More powerful than a locamotive…. And able to snatch victory out of defeats claws…time after time after time…..Oh Baby Z… We love you Honey and always will… Is it spring yet? Have a ball this weekend and Monday God will make all things as they should be… Love and Light to the Queen of all Mares…..Her Ladyship Zenyatta!
Jeanne
Zenyatta & Dottie…Just want to tell you how much we are all enjoying the things that you are telling us about. For all of the ‘seasoned’ horse people, it is fun to compare racing details to other disciplines. For the novice horse people, you are providing valuable info and insights. You may even be helping the ‘new’ horse people do the right thing for their 4-legged friends just by reading your various postings. Most enjoyable, and thanks for taking time out from your busy schedules to ‘get together’ to do these for us!
Kimberly
Hi Queen, I want to take a vacation and go from California to Kentucky to see you. When can you have visitors? Miss you in CA!!! Nighty Nite!!!
Linda Henderson
I had wondered about the Bits. Thank you for explaining it in such great detail. I am learning so much from the Zenyatta Diary. And I love each post. Thanks, thanks, thanks.
kristen
Zenny, Great information you are sharing. I am learning so much about race horses. Please keep teaching us. Love you, kj
Lanie
I cna’ wait to see the pics with you and your friends from CA! They are the best too!! God bless every one of them..may all have a safe trip!! Enjoy the time friend, everyone loves you!! I especially, here under the moon over Ky!
Lynne
Hi Zen and Dottie – I have been wondering for a long time about the horse’s bits. You have provided so much information here I never knew about. This is just like coming home from work and going to the night school for horse knowledge. I so look forward to my after supper classes. I live in Surrey, British Columbia so by the time I am reading the diary it is 10:00 at night in Kentucky and Zenyatta is sleepiing.
love and kisses to Z.
M2 + Little Bit & Ready Lady (team from the Little Bit Ranch)
This is turning into the most fascinating and educational forum to learn from, from you Miss Z (and Dottie). I would love it if Mike could chime in on how/when he asks for more, asks for you to relax etc. Would love it!
Thank you so much. You are very, very special and I am thinking Mike would say the same as far as your ability to learn, your willingness, and responsiveness. Awesome.
Our Best! From the Little Bit Ranch in Texas.
NancyJS
@Shortskinnylady
The lip chain issue was discussed by Dottie,
Z and John in a previous diary. Please review
them. I don’t think it is necessary to continue to
repeat the same infomation over and over again,
Dear Zenny
I really never noticed the tongue tie until I got your
calendar. I was very surprised but read up on it and it
makes sense. As you maximally exert your self your
airway needs to stay open. I just want to thank you Dottie and
both Teams Zenyatta. At the track you had a lot of down time
and it was so very generous of John to share you with all the lucky
fans that got to visit you there. Now that you are at Lanes End Farm,
which is a multi billion dollar business I wish your fans would
understand that they can not visit during breeding season. It would
not only be disruptive but it could be dangerous with so many
breeding horses and all the hormones surging. I think it is inappropriate to say negative things about this. Everyone
has been so kind and generous to share you after your
retirement that I just feel so very great full for
everything. Lanes End had been wonderful and I am
So glad you gave BBF. Who is the lead mare?
Have a great and warm night. We may get snow in Texas this
week. XXXOOO
JAJ
One more word on tongue ties–they are there to pull the tongue forward so that there is no obstuction to the air flow through the throat. If a horse pulls the tongue back into the back of their throat, they can cause all kinds of problems with the epiglottis, which can become entrapped and completely block off the air flow. When that happens, a horse “stops.” They can also displace their palate, again causing airway obstruction. Also, if the airway is compromised, there will be too much (vacuum) pressure deep in the lungs which might contribute to bleeding in the lungs.
As far as a breeding date, Zenyatta will determine that. Mares don’t normally cycle in the winter months, but Zenyatta will be put under lights in the barn to trick her body into thinking it is spring. The vets will use an ultrasound to measure the follicle to determine the best time to breed her–maybe even down to the most optimum hour to breed her.
The breeding sheds don’t open until early or mid February to ensure no foal is born before January 1. If one was, it would officially turn one year old on January 1 even if the foal is only hours or days old.
Someone also asked about using other stallions besides Lanes Ends stallions. Mares are shipped to other farms to be bred all the time. She’ll only be away from home for a few hours.
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I missed writing to you yesterday. Last night, here in NJ we had a bad snow storm. I was very busy getting ready for it. It seems to me I remember reading notes from a couple of your fans from MA. Wow, that state really got hit with snow–up to 24ins. Anyways, it is wonderful your family is coming to see you this weekend. They also came to KY a couple of weeks ago when you were first let off the lead and running free. I can see your family is going to be right there with you every step of the way. Isn’t it great to be that loved!! On another note, thanks for the explanation of just how important a bit is. The bit you worn is very interesting. When I was growing up, I took horseback riding lessons. I remember the bit as 1 metal bar that rested in the horse’s mouth. Yours has 2. Never realized that a bit was for communication purposes. I thought it was for steering-going left or right. Anyways, thanks, I learned a lot. I bet you never thought you would be a teacher. Take care, Zenny. P.S. Only 5 more days before the big event! Love you, Linda
Gina
Z – Thanks for the information! It really helps me to understand all the equipment better. You’re such a sweety! Stay safe & warm! Luv ya!
hilltophorsewoman No Cal
@ J. Smith….I voted. thanks for the info. If anyone hears that TVG will broadcast awards on line, please let us know. All of the new videos these very talented people are doing are awesome. Thank you. I bred, raised and raced 2 Quarter horses. It is thrill beyond belief to see your own horse come out of the gate! When my “boys” came home after minimal success, I was able to put a western saddle on and they were ready to go riding. I sometimes wonder if someone was teaching Bodie to be a reining horse in his off time. He is so responsive to the bit and leg. I’ve never had to teach him anything except to CALM DOWN. Praying for Zenyatta for HOY. Love, love love her! Thank you Dottie for continuing to open my eyes and my mind.
Rita Boucher
Thanks Z and team, I love these diary posts and I always learn a thing or 2. Good luck this weekend! xxox.
Beverly
Dear Zenyatta, Could you find out if Mr. Jerry Moss is related to Maggi Moss in the Des Moines, Iowa area? she is in Horse Racing also. Thank You, Love Ya!
Jane in Seattle
I wish we could see the awards online – I would enjoy seeing John in his baseball cap and tuxedo. I hope someone gets pictures of youall in your finery. Z only needs a tie – she’s already wearing her “tails”. =-)
Best wishes and may the Best (and most Beautiful) Girl Win!
S
@linda b….I agree with Robbie… You just have to find away to meet and touch your first horse! I don’t know where you live but I am sure many of us would be willing to help you find a place if we lived near you! The big brown eyes(of most ) will melt your heart! :)
NancyJS
Dear Dottie
Please let us know who is the lead mare in Zenny’s paddock.
I bet it is Z in a kind but diplomatic and assertive way.
Thanks
Carmela Bozulich
Lady Z–thanks for the info. My horses both ride in KK bits, in dressage, and I’ve always wondered about racehorses and the kind of bits that are used, v. a pleasure type horse. Hope you’re staying warm and comfy in the cold…Love the updates and pictures!
Jane in Seattle
Speaking of bridles, what are those newer white ones for ? Like Uncle Mo wears for instance? They don’t even look like leather…what are they made of?
Linda Moss
Dear Zen – I had an Arabian mare some years ago – She was born May 1st and we called her May Day. He Dad, like yours, was an accomplished grand champion stallion, Serafix.
You remind me so much of her; her curiousity, awareness, gentleness and excitement around engaging with people and play. And her love to win at her shows.
Would you please ask John and Dottie how they would compare/contrast your breed to Arabians. I know John thinks Thoroghbreds are a special. And since I have been a fan of your, I agree. If I recall correctly the history of your breed traces back to England, where they bred native mares with a select few Arabian stallions to create the Thoroughbred? Would love your thoughts on this.
In the mean time, keeping all fingers crossed for you and your team’s recognition this next week. Very Best, L.
Anita in CA
Hi Zen. Very interesting. I had no idea about different types of bits. Thanks so much to you, Dottie & John. Was looking at a wonderful picture of you and Mike racing at the Apple Blossom today. It’s in the calendar from Coady Photography — It made me almost cry it was so beautiful — the fire in your eye, the intensity, Mike’s face.. I just don’t have words to say how it made me feel. You’re wonderful. Have a great evening and day tomorrow. I love you.
Kimberly
Wow, you neve cease to amaze me! I love you Zenyatta!! Your #1 fan in Montana!!
Jackie
Good evening Queen “Z” We are all gaining such knowledge thru these posts. I am sure your family is looking forward to seeing you this weekend. Enjoy the visit.
Stay warm I hear it is pretty cold!
Hugs and kisses
Snoprinz
If the bit is made of copper, won’t it lead to metal poiaoning especially if it comes in contact with acid in the mouth?