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
Dona
Love this post so much. Informative but entertaining. Hope your team arrives safely and has a great time with you. I just love your video, where you’re running, tail held high and the sound of your voice, it’s awesome. You have a soft mouth does that mean Mike has soft hands. William Shoemaker was my all time love and everybody always commented on his soft hands. Have fun with your California Team and enjoy your treats with them. Love you, Big Girl.
Snoprinz
I mean metal poisoning? Pardon the typo.
Melanie Johnson
Zenyatta & Co., These are adorable communications — You have such a sense of humor! This is not surprising; you got your messages across convincingly when you raced and pranced before and after. Do you actually have time to read these comments? If so, have you considered taking a California vacation just to visit old friends at home?
JAJ
Jane in Seattle wanted to know about colored bridles. The colored ones are made of nylon and can even be thrown in the washing machine. In the distant past, the white ones were made of leather, but I don’t think anyone uses white leather anymore.
All reins are covered in brown rubber to make it easier for the rider to get a good hold of them and not slip.
Carolyn
Zenyatta, I am so glad you dont have to worry with running and racing any more. You dont have to worry with bridles and bits in your mouth either, I know once the snow goes away for awhile or for good, you and your friends will be able to enjoy the bluegrass fields of Kentucky.
Jena Hobert
Hey Zenyatta and Dottie. I love bits. But no matter how lite, easy, or mild a bit may appear in “bad hands” it can tear up a horse. Snaffles are a mild bit but in the wrong hands can wreck havoc. “Chain” bits like some roping and barrel horses wear are a mild bit. It molds to the horses mouth shape. Each horse has their own preferance. Each horse is different hence so Many types of bits.
Ok count down until Eclipse Awards. We will be looking for John to get Trainer Queen Z. Anyone that can keep an athlete like you at “peak” performance level deserves Trainer of the Year. We all know YOU should have HOY. Hey Zenny ask Dottie if she is going to write a book about you? I think Steve Haskin and Dottie should get together and write your book. Will send note to you and John to after Monday. Who do we want??? ZENYATTA!!!! Love from Secsea Dance, Salawgi, Simon, and Picasso.
Stella
Dear Queen Z, thank you so much for sharing every aspect of your life with us. I wonder if you know just how much you really are loved? Hope so! :)
Have a happy, fun day with your friends in Kentucky!
Hugs and kisses,
Stel
Jean Moore
Beautiful Zenyatta, Reading about every facet of your life is so much fun and a true learning experience. When I think of all the countless hours, days, months, etc. that went into your training, it is a monumental task, one that John, Steve and Mike handled with much expertise. How grand that all of you came to be TeamZ. I know you are grateful but thank each of them again for their love and care of you and thank precious Dottie again for her devotion to you and to us, your loving fans. Hope you are warm and happy. Much Love From Me To You.
Theresa Buck
Good morning, Zenyatta! You are the best… LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE HAVING A LOT OF FUN IN KENTUCKY
Pam Zacek,
Thanks for this information, My horse had one of them and Loved it, so, Z, go out and have some fun, love this information also, makes for understanding, how they took so good care of you.. Have fun Playing, in the snow, if you got any, again
Rose
Z SIMPLY THE BEST
GREAT EDUCATION…
Donna
If anyone is interested there is an amazing book
The Byerley Turk by Jeremy James,,born in the Balkans in 1678 he was an Ottoman war horse, captured by the English at the siege of Buda.
He was ridden across central Europe then won the Kings Plate in N Ireland on his way to fight at the battle of the Boyne.
Unmarked he returned to Yorkshire to Colonel Byerley’s estate and was the earliest foundation sire of todays thoroughbreds.
An amazing stallion and an amazing story of history.
Most thoroughbreds can trace their lineage back to him.
Donna
PS
The race the Kings Plate is now The Queens Plate in Canada.
Cathy P
Thank you Zenyatta for all the great information on the bit and the reins. As I have watched you after your races and when I had the privilege to come to see you at Barn 55 one day, you seamed to be having fun with you bit rolling it around. We (the fans) love all the information you give us about your sport, it’s great. It’s really nice to hear that your friends and family are coming to see you this weekend (we know you will have fun with them). Go out and have a great day with your pals. Stay warm and always with lots of love and big hugs, Cathy
NancyP
Hello Beautiful Girl!
Thanks to you and Dottie for educating an old racing fan with these informative posts. Miss you very much. Dottie is truly a wonderful person keeping us updated with news about you!
Thank you to Ruffian101 and others for sharing videos of you at LE.
Love,
NancyP
Jenna
Hey gorgeous Zenyatta! And oh-so-cute Dottie!
Another positive HOY vote. Looks good, looks good.
http://theyareoff.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-eclipse-award-picks.html
Evie Sweeney
Dottie and Team Z, seeing her bridle reminds me of the halters you donated to charities for auction. Will (can) there be any other pieces of her tack donated to charities as time goes on? I would love to own a piece of her history, and continue to support those charities. Thanks!
Roxanne Cook
@L & others: No disrespect to Blame was intended.
Suzanne G
Jenna, Thanks for posting link for HOY vote! Great to read it.
The Kennedys in San Diego
The Breeders’ Cup Classic was voted “NTRA 2010 Moment of the Year.” It was selected by 36% of the respondents among 11 other races. Zenyatta’s 17th straight win in the Vanity Handicap (topping Citation’s and Cigar’s undefeated records of 16) was in second place with 33% of the vote. While Blames’s connections will be honored for the selection at the January 17 Eclipse Award ceremony in Miami, it is clear that the top selections had more to do with Zenyatta than Blame. She was heroic, lost only by inches despite a bad trip.
sg
@NancyJS
Your response to Shortskinnylady was a little snarky don’t you think? Not everyone reads every post or thread on here, therefore for many, I suspect, miss a great deal of information. But please don’t penalize those that don’t with a crass response. The majority on here on very polite and in fact direct *those* in the ‘right direction’ or simply respond saying it has been discussed already. Let’s have good blog manners.
Thank You, sg
**”NancyJS said:
January 13, 2011
@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,”***
Linda B
Good Morning Z,
I love to read all the posts you get and for those who have encouraged me to touch a horse I have done a search in my area and will make some calls in the spring.
I am familiar with the big eyes and how they tell a story. I have a rescued Grey Hound and he tells me a story every time I hold his head in my hands. I am looking forward to the feel of the horses skin and the touch of a nose. Thanks for your support Zenyatta lovers.
julia b
Just stopped by to say Howdy to Team Z ! Give our Queen a big carrot and hugs from me ! Thanks & Stay warm !!!
kathleen o'mara
You clearly liked the bit, I can tell by the wet mouth.
Robin
Hi Dearest Queen Z and Team Zenyatta:
As with everyone else, I love the information and being able to keep in touch with our dear Lady Z. I want to say a quick thing about Monday’s upcoming awards and I apologize if it’s already been mentioned. Of course, I hope for the ultimate outcome of HOY but in case it goes a different way than we want, I always try to remember that “People’s Choice” awards, to me, hold so much more significance than awards voted on by a board or panel of “experts” where politics and other things can interfere with the outcome. Queen Z, it isn’t necessary to have a piece of hardware to signify your importance to all of us and how we feel about you. If you get the hardware, great, if not, there’s no diminishing how wonderful and perfect you are. So, fingers crossed for Monday, but no huge disappoint if the hardware goes elsewhere. You are already Horse of Every Year to your family and fans! XO
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z, Thanks for more interesting horse information. You all are terriffic!! Thanks, also, for the “HUGS” you send our way, with each Post. I watched your 12/20/’10, “Blood Horse-Zenyatta at Lane’s End 2010” video again today. It’s so wonderful to be able to share in your JOY OF LIFE !!
Stay warm and happy. Hugs to you all. Fondly, OraJean
Allen
Z, I agree with Robin you are Horse Of Every Year. I also read today where Steve Anderson voted for you as HOY. Good Luck on Monday. And have a great weekend when Team Z comes to visit. I am looking forward to pictures, I am sure John will post some for us.
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, thanks for another informative post. I enjoying hearing about your new life but the education we are receiving is wonderful. You and Mike made a fantastic team. It always seemed to me that you were always in sync and working together as one. You both were a joy to watch on the track!
I have my fingers and toes crossed for Monday. You deserve the top honor!
Thanks Dottie and to all of Team Z for all of your hard work in keeping us adoring fans in touch with Queen Z! I know it is a lot of work but it is greatly appreciated.
Love to all,
Leslie
Gloria Jeanne
I wonder if Zen’s weekend guests have arrived in Kentucky yet? Hope everything is going great and that you are enjoying the day. Hugs
Linda Reppert
Dear Z, today Steve Haskin is coming to visit with you. He writes for Bloodhorse.com and i am a ‘Haskinite’one who posts on his blog. Thousands of words have been spoken about you Zenyatta and you have a tremendous following just on Steve’s Blogs alone. He wrote some great articles about you and today is January 13, the day he comes to visit you. I hope you enjoy his visit and gave him a big sweet look. He will be reporting back to us and promises to tell us all about how you are doing. There is no other like you Zenyatta and you have truly stolen my heart. And tell Dottie thank you for keeping us all posted on what you are doing. With Love From Linda in Texas.