Good Morning, Everyone!
The BIG DAY has arrived!
Yesterday, I had my ‘mane pulled’ (groomed and thinned out) and hooves polished so I would look perfect for this ‘moment’! I rather suspected that it was getting close due to all of the attention I was getting. The vets were here during the morning checking me…to be sure my system was ready. Charles, Mike and Matt were at the barn helping me to learn some proper MAIDEN MARE Etiquette…so I would be totally prepared for this experience. MAIDEN MARE is the term used for a MARE who has never been bred before. That’s ME! All day…I had so much ATTENTION!
Then this morning at about 7:30, MY LIMO ARRIVED. A lovely SALLEE VAN was waiting outside the barn ready to take me to Darley. It is approximately a 10 minute ride to that farm from Lane’s End. Matt went with me on the van…and Charles and Michael Cline also went along. I guess it was decided that Bernie and I would be the last couple in the Darley breeding shed for this morning’s session.
Well, WE GOT RAVE REVIEWS! It all went very well. In horse terms, it was ‘one jump…and a very good cover’…meaning that everything went perfectly in our first meeting. Per the guys from my crew…”it was TEXTBOOK. ZENYATTA was unbelievably professional…especially for a maiden mare. It was all nice and easy and went PERFECTLY.” Oh, my guys…Mike, Charles, and Matt are TOO CUTE! They really love me! Blush-Blush!
I must say…Bernie was also extremely professional and very focused on his job! WE MAKE A GREAT COUPLE!
By 8:30…I was back in my LIMO with Matt going home to LANE’S END!
What a morning! Life has so many different kinds of experiences for one to explore and appreciate when the time is right for them to happen! Hooves crossed…..that this day, February 23rd, becomes VERY SPECIAL for me and my new role as a MOM!
I’ll keep you posted as we go along! I am so excited!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~(including Bernie!)
Z
Denise
To HOOVES: I just read what you wrote. Shame on you! I’m sure I am not the only one on this site with a Down Syndrome child since it’s the most common birth defect. GO AWAY…your ignorance is showing.
Marion
well done Zenny….I’am now waiting to see a beautiful foal :-)I’am sure you are going to be a awesome mother.
Love you big horse
Lynette Lucas
I’m glad to hear that the mating went well and there will be adorable little foal in 11 months!!!
Kathy Baldwin
The 23rd of February is a very good day!
Well done Zenny and Bernie! ;)
Love you both, Kathy from SoCal
Joni
Hi Zenny,
So glad that everything went so smoothly! Will you be getting a different diet–like we recommend for our human pregnant moms?
Lori K
ZENNY, I am very HAPPY for you and BERNARDINI… I will be crossing my fingers that we will soon hear that you are in foal…. Sending you HUGS & KISSES.
I LOVE YOU ZENNY & BERNARDINI XOXO…
P.S. GODBLESS YOU EIGHT BELLES.
Beth Alexander
As it should be, PERFECT! Because you are still the Queen and we all love you very much and wish you a wonderful and safe pregnancy. Can’t wait for the newborn to get here!
Beth Alexander
One question: Why do you have the little tag with your name on it?
Lakeway
So, if my calculations are correct, her due date would be 1/29/2012. But, I seem to remember reading that maiden mares often foal early…
Bridget
Feb 23!!!! A day to remember!!!!!
I say all of us adoring crazy fans who write to you every day get to throw you a baby shower!!!!!!!
Girls only!!!!!! Baby blankies, tiny little halters, little grooming kits, do dee doo dee do and lots o cuddles!!!!!!
Once again…YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD GIRL BIG MAMMA!!!!!!!
XO!!!!!!
QH Breeder
To answer a few questions from my limited breeding experience. The vets would want to breed Zenyatta as close to ovulation as possible by measuring the size, and palpating the follicle for turgidity. You would want to breed within 24 hours of ovulation for optimum breeding synchronization. Typically a hormone injection is given after breeding to “encourage” ovulation for a “little extra” help for mother nature. At 12-14 days (sometimes as early as 9) an ultrasound can find the vesicle, HOWEVER, the mare is really not considered IN FOAL until a heartbeat check is done by ultrasound at 30 days. That indicates a live foal. Another check is also done at about 45 days to make sure the embryo is attached to the wall of the uterus. Here is a timeline
http://www.eagleridge-twh.com/fetus1.htm
Linda Deutsch
Wishing you the very best and we all await news on the newest “family” member – lucky kid!!! So happy the Mosses are going to keep the baby so we can watch him or her grow. Thanks so much, Dottie, for the wonderful news and we can’t wait to see that all went well. We know that John will take lots of photos!!
kealy
@ Denise…KUDOS! Hooves is obviously on the lower end of the “class” spectrum…there always has to be ONE who gets some sort of sick amusement out of belittling others…apparently Hooves is lacking attention and will attempt to get it from wherever even if it’s negative attention. Hugs to you and to your child!
Lori :)
Congratulations Queen Z!!! I must admit… once again you have brought tears to my eyes… I am so happy for you, but part of me is sad that the lovely young “maiden” mare is now “all grown up”! Cannot wait to see “Baby Benyatta” and I pray that everything goes well!!
LauraJ
@Beth Alexander, that tag will go on her foal’s halter.
Sue MacPhee-Gray
Yippeee!! I’m so glad everything went so well Miss Z (Mrs B :) So exciting, but we have a bit of a wait now, don’t we? It will be difficult to be patient. Congratulations!
Deborah
Dear Sweet Zen! I am so excited for you!! As always you do everything with perfection. You will be a wonderful Mommy! Can’t wait to hear that all is well and that you are officially in foal…
Sending Hugs and Kisses to you.
Kim Noble
So why did my eyes suddenly fill with tears?
Darryl
Congratulations to the perfect couple. Now we wait for the perfect baby. You are the Queen forever and now you have your King. Have a safe pregnancy and keep us updated on your condition. XXXOOO
ENSIGN
Nice link from QH Breeder.
.
To add a bit more…mares don’t truly have a ‘due’ date, just an estimate of time when due, lol. Maidens can carry long or short. Where they have no prior history, that’s why most maidens won’t be bred in the 1st week the sheds open.
.
Zenyatta won’t really require anything different in her feed program. I’m sure they’re still feeding her as a mare slowly gaining weight and that will be adjusted as spring grass becomes available.
.
Foals do the majority of their growing in the 3rd trimester and up to that point won’t be much bigger than a cat so a huge change in diet and nutrition isn’t required. Come the 3rd trimester feed will be bumped up as the mare requires. The biggest need for feed/calories/nutrition comes after birth when the mare is lactating.
Vicki
We are all happy for you Zenyatta and oh so proud. Gosh if you were in a regular hospital for the delivery I know the waiting room would be bursting at the seams with friends and admirers, we will be on pins and needles waiting to hear that you are indeed in foal. Hey by the way I love the diary photo today, I had been wondering what was on the little round tag on your bridle.
Barbara
Yayyy Zenyatta you will be the best mom! Thank you for this wonderful diary!!
Lynn
JUst praying you will have an easy time when the day comes , Ha thinking of myself , was not much fun in Labor, Hope it is easier on you beautiful Lady and hope it goes well , nothing is more important than it being easy on you , Love you Zen God watch over you always
Teri
Good Luck Zenyatta! May the next 11 months be filled with lots of grass and sun! I can’t wait for this baby! I can’t wait until both your baby and Rachel Alexandra’s baby are on the track!
Kathy B.
well our Zenny is on her way to motherhood! She’ll be a great Mom! her team must be so proud…..thank you very much Dottie for the scoop.
Jill Mabry
Zenyatta, I am so happy for you and Bernie, glad to hear that all went well…we knew it would. Take care, keep warm and stay safe. Sending you warm Hugs and Kisses from CA XOXOXO!!!
We love you,
Jill
Jeanne from Texas
Guess those of us that hoped and wished for one more racing year will have to accept this final conclusion; but yea it’s the start of a whole new endeavor. Sure hope to get to see you “in the flesh” some day, Zenyatta! What a day that will be! Best wishes, a big hug and love.
Angel
I hope you teach the little one how to do the Zenny “prance”!
Morty
I just love this Mare. I am such a sap I am crying like a baby! I feel bad about dissing the FOF’s now. Please hold me.
I Love Barbaro
im so happy for the happy couple. i know the result of this love affair will be a happy healthy horsie. i know BARBARO is looking down from heavvin and giving this union a horsie smile. im so happy right now. this is the best, most wonderfull thing to happen in my hole life.