Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #17

12Z turned out with fellow weanlings in October. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End.

Q:

I was wondering how Lane’s End handles the care of weanlings and yearlings. I know a number of larger operations more or less turn the kids out and only bring them in when it’s time for veterinary care or hoof trimming, with the idea that they’re just letting the babies be babies until the time they need to be prepared for yearling sales or training. I was just wondering if Lane’s End does this or if you guys do give more personal care to the little guys even before they need sales prepping or training!

Kelli Clark

Toms River, NJ

A: At Lane’s End we try to find the right balance between letting horses be horses and that extra bit of professional and personal care.

Our weanlings make the transition from the broodmare side of the farm to the yearling division in the month of December. At this point, we will separate the colts and fillies so the boys have their fields and the girls have theirs. This is a stressful time for these young horses so we keep their routine as similar as possible to what it was like at the broodmare division. This will reduce any additional stress and make their transition that little bit easier.

This routine consists of the weanlings/yearlings coming in from the fields at 7am. We lead them into the barn and run our hands down each horse’s leg. We can then feel if any has a cut, bump, swelling or heat in their legs. This also desensitizes them, so they are easier to touch and handle. They then go into their stalls and eat their breakfast. Feeding them inside allows us to monitor how much each horse eats, and alter their feeds accordingly seen as every horse is different and therefore has different nutritional needs.

Once they are finished eating, we will check their temperatures, pick their feet and administer any medication that is needed. We check temperatures daily. Normally you can tell if a horse is sick simply by observing their demeanor or by the fact that they have not eaten up, but sometimes they will not show any of the obvious signs. This is when taking their temperatures is essential. While we are in their stall taking their temperatures we will also pick their feet. As well as being good hoof care and horsemanship it also makes life much easier when the farrier comes !

After these essential daily chores are completed we have time for the vet or farrier to come if needed. Otherwise we will start grooming the horses lightly so they become used to what is in store during sales prep. As we get closer to prep time, we will start to break the yearlings to plastic bits. We leave the bits in their mouths as we groom them. Using the plastic bits create an easy transition to the metal bits that we use later on during sales prep. We also start to introduce them to the hose so that they are used to getting baths when we start our prep.

These additional tasks take us up until lunch time. At 1pm we will feed them their lunch and turn them out at 2pm. This lengthy turn out time of seventeen hours from 2pm until 7am the following morning is more than adequate time to allow horses be horses. They have that time to run, play and frolic. The concussion on their bones that they create from running and playing mixed with the nutrients that they ingest from our limestone enriched soils helps them to produce strong, healthy bones.

Therefore, I believe that we have the right balance here at Lane’s End between letting horses be horses with their lengthy turn out time and their extra bit of personal care and handling.

Our Expert

Peter Sheehan

Assistant Yearling Manager, Lane’s End

Peter, originally from Co. Kildare, Ireland started his career in the thoroughbred industry at Derrinstown Stud while he completed his education at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. After graduating with a degree in geography and math he then completed a post graduate study in statistics. Peter arrived at Lane’s End in 2008 and is currently the Assistant Yearling Manager.

Reader Interactions

1,474 Comments

  1. / Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAWN!!!! ♥♥ What a joy it was to meet you and your mom!!! And thank you for the photos of dear Pulpit on Zenny’s Tribe! … may he RIP and run free …

    Trina, I appreciate these lovely poems you pour out from your huge heart, so heartfelt ‘unto a warm embrace’ you immerse yourself and enchant … love love love …. Dumplinghood delights in the delicious effervescence that emulates from your loveliness of heart ♥ , soul, and hand …. ♥

    • / Reply

      Dear Karen G and Ann,

      Lovely topic of interest and great link.

      Amazing, it took 71 years to publish.

      • / Reply

        Sorry,

        Should be posted with the below Pearl Harbor link/article.

        You know what I meant right??? Brain Infart !!! ????

  2. / Reply

    Please pause today and silently say a prayer for the brave heros lost at Pearl Harbor so many years ago now … we shall never forget and salute those still living who served this nation so proudly ….God rest their souls …

  3. / Reply

    Bless all the veterans today, especially all those who died at Pearl Harbor. We will never forget the sacrifices made by our veterans!!

    Happy Birthday Dawn I hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you so much for the lovely tribute to Pulpit and the video posted. I too met this wonderful, gentleman at Claibourne last year and fell in love with him. I read your tribute with tears in my eyes as he was still a young vital stallion and the loss must be just devastating to the farm. He looks so much like daddy “Indy” in your video it’s uncanny.

    Trina, again we are left speechless by your lovely, inciteful poems. You are truly inspired when you write.

    Kisses on your noses Mama Zen and EARnie, and a special one blown to heaven for my lovely Pulpit. Hugs

  4. / Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear Dawn. It was such a treat to finally meet you. Although this year, we are mourning the loss of pUlpit, I do hope that you can personally take some time for fun.

    Trina–thank you so much for the lovely tribute to Dawn and for posting last year’s as well. It is a great way for “new” Dumplings to learn about each other as well as refreshing our memories.

    On this Pearl Harbor remembrance day, a huge thank you to all serving in faraway lands away from family and friends here, as well as those who have served. My prayer is that school children throughout our generations be taught what happened on Dec. 7, 1941, and that we stopped evil from spreading.

  5. / Reply

    Hi Everyone !!! I wanted to wish my Good Friend Dawn a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!! I love you sweet friend.
    I am teaching the children today about Pearl Harbor. This is important no matter what age. God Bless our Veterans.
    I saw Pulpit with Dawn this summer. God Bless his sweet soul.
    Have a really good day, Shari

  7. / Reply

    @ Dawn Conrad
    Thank-you for the beautiful post on your visit with Pulpit.
    The video tribute was very sad to watch knowing that he
    is no longer with us.
    May your happy memories of your visit comfort you when you
    think about him.

  9. / Reply

    happy bday dawn!
    may god bless u richly & may it still be a day of celebrating in spite of loss of pulpit.
    that was a wonderful tribute u made & video posted of pulpit.
    what a kind & loving & beautiful stallion he was.
    may he RIP w/ others across the rainbow bridge.

    as always trina, those were awesome poems u wtote for dawn. <3
    hugs/prayers to all, vamp

  10. / Reply

    I am a huge fan of Zenyatta!! I was soo pleased to hear about Zenny’s baby!! I’m not sure if you named that adorable colt yet, but maybe Little Zen should be him racing name!!
    Congratulations to Zenyatta and her colt!!!!

    Can you kiss her for me??

    :D
    Louise

  11. / Reply

    HAPPY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY,DARLING DAWN!!!!

    I am SO sorry that your special day was marred by the loss of Pulpit—it must have been so wonderful to have known him and loved him. Thank you for sharing those memories with us! Loved the video with the little girl,too. It’s so amazing to see a mighty stallion being so gentle with a child.

    I so hope we can meet again at next year’s BC–I would love much more time with you to talk. Hope your mom can make the trip too–it was lovely meeting her after reading about her in the blog!!

    Am looking forward to going down to the Susie Q. to see Barnaby!! Sue stopped by there yesterday to see them on her way back from teaching her college classes in Twin Falls. Tom told her that,with the bad weather the past few days,they have been napping a lot in their nice “house”–it’s so large and comfy,they can both stretch out in it!! I love hearing that–it means they’re comfy and content! Will give you all an update after our visit!.

    Happy weekend to all-especially sweet Zenny and “not-such a baby-anymore Z!And,we must’nt forget lovely Ebby–can’t wait ’til her next race!!

  13. / Reply

    Another great Steve Haskin’s article!

    Vox Populi Gets It Right
    The Blood-Horse 07 Dec 2012 2:39 PM
    Steve Haskin Hangin’ With Haskin
    Only in Thoroughbred racing can one of the greatest champions in the history of the sport share the same stage with a former $5,000 claimer from Penn National.
    The first two recipients of the new Vox Populi Award, Zenyatta and Rapid Redux, were perfect examples of what the award, created by Penny Chenery, represents – the melding of popularity and achievement and bringing attention to the sport. This award is all about the place a horse holds, not in the record books, but in the hearts of the fans.
    Here are two horses who put together unforgettable, history-making winning streaks, but did it on two distinctly different stages. There was Zenyatta, master thespian, performing in front of packed houses on Broadway, and Rapid Redux reciting his lines in a 50-seat theater in the West Village. The Zenyattas of the world will bring people to tears and win the Tony Award. The Rapid Reduxes also will touch people in a profound way, just on a much smaller scale.
    http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2012/12/07/vox-populi-gets-it-right.aspx

  14. / Reply

    Hawthorne: Sixth horse euthanized due to equine herpesvirus
    By Marcus Hersh Daily Racing Form 12/07/2012 2:33PM
    A horse trained by David Reid had to be euthanized Friday morning at Hawthorne, the sixth equine life lost at the track since an equine herpesvirus outbreak began Oct. 14.
    The deceased horse already had been diagnosed with the EHV-1 virus and was being housed in the Hawthorne EHV-1 isolation barn, according to Illinois state veterinarian Dr. Dawn Folker-Calderon. The animal had a fever that was reported to the state vet’s office on Saturday, Dec. 1, at which time a sample to be tested for EHV-1 was taken, later returning a positive result.
    Friday’s fatality does not reset the quarantine that’s been imposed on Hawthorne by the Illinois State Department of Agriculture, according to Folker-Calderon. The quarantine will be lifted 28 days after an EHV-1 positive horse displays the disease’s serious neurologic symptoms. A horse trained by Mike Reavis was euthanized Dec. 1 and later tested positive for EHV-1, and the quarantine clock remains set with that date as a starting point.
    The horse that had to be put down Friday followed a different pattern than the other horses that have suffered the most severe manifestation of the virus. Previous cases have moved into the dire neurologic phase of symptoms with little or no warning; the Reid horse had remained stable for several days after running a fever until being stricken with a loss of coordination Friday
    Folker-Calderon also said new policies are in place governing horses shipping into Hawthorne, a practice that has been allowed during the quarantine. Folker-Calderon said 2-year-olds, which are at greater risk of contracting the EHV-1 virus, no longer would be permitted to ship to Hawthorne, and that any such horse that has arrived at the track during the quarantine will be moved to an isolation area.
    http://www.drf.com/news/hawthorne-sixth-horse-euthanized-due-equine-herpesvirus

    • / Reply

      HRTV REPORTED A LAST WEEK,

      THE CLAIMING PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED, HORSES ARE BEING MOVED
      ALL AROUND THE TRACK IN AS THEY ARE BEING CLAIMED AND SPREADING
      THE VIRUS !!!!

      AND THERE IS NO PLAN TO CHANGE THE CLAIMING PROCESS OR STOP
      THE MEET, WHICH ENDS DECEMBER 8, 2012.

  15. / Reply

    HORSE REPORT, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

    The Equine Heart

    “Horses do not have “heart attacks” as we humans do”
    Most Equine Sudden deaths are related to:
    Cardiac arrythmia’s – electrical activity disruption – Ex – SWALE
    Hemmorhage – aortic or other blood vessel rupture – Ex – DYNAFORMER
    Congenital defects – horses are born with these

    GREAT ARTICLE:

    http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/docs/horsereport/pubs-HR24-4-bkm-sec.pdf

  18. / Reply

    Just dreadful news about the Hawthorne horses.

    Does anyone know how to actually vote in the Vox Populi? i have tried and tried, but even going to the official site, I can only bring up the original nominees. How does one go about voting for one of the additions? Thanks!

    • / Reply

      The Hawthorne situation is very sad.

      No change in the claiming process, spreads the virus.

    • / Reply

      Dear Barbara,
      I was wondering the very same thing. I have been to the site several times and can only find the original five candidates on the ballot. Five wonderful horses, but where are the other two?
      Can anyone help us?
      Thanks!

      • / Reply

        Marshall, when I go to the link I posted just above, I see 7 candidates, and a write-in box. The only other thing I can think of, is try refreshing the page — if you had bookmarked it before, it might have changed, but not display the new info, without refreshing (reloading the current page).

  19. / Reply

    DAILY RACING FORUM:
    BARBARA LIVINGSTON AND SOME SPECIAL PEOPLE FROM THE VARIOUS
    TRACKS SHE FREQUENTS (photos and comments)

    Juan Aryoyo – Todd Pletcher
    Richard Johnson – Zagora, Chad Brown
    Katie Merritt – Fort Larned
    Jake Nelson
    Guillermo Ruiz – Animal Kingdom, Graham Motion

    http://www.drf.com/blogs/faces-behind-photos

    • / Reply

      Maybe send your vote in via e-mail? Explain the problem and why you are sending the vote in that way?
      Sorry you are having problems viewing the correct ballot.

  20. / Reply

    WOW! Rightful Image gets second for Dumpling owners Anne and Rod from Paramount et alia and trainer Mike Machowsky and jockey Joe Talamo at Hollywood Park in a late charge. High hoof, Rightful! High hoof, Anne and Rod!

    • / Reply

      WOWZA Anne! Congratulations on Rightful Image race for second!! Wish I could have been there! ♥

    • / Reply

      WHOO HOOO !!! Trina and Karen G.,

      Thanks for posting this and a great big congratulations to Ann and Rod
      from Paramount for this wonder placing at HWP. It is so hard to get
      a TB to race at this level. And you and your trainer did it.

      GO GO GO Rightful Image !!!

  21. / Reply

    Dear Sis Dawn.

    I wish you the very happiest Birthday and I hope you have many many more. LOL, Peggy

  22. / Reply

    At this Christmas Season I just wanted to say this is such a nice place with all the sharing our love for horses and our caring for each other I read something today that I thought was so nice. It said To Love Peope, To be Indespensable somewhere, That is the purpose of Life. That is the source of Happiness. You all bring Happiness to my life Thank You so Much.
    With the loss now of Pulpit, these things sometimes we just don’t understand. I remember when I was watching the race a few years ago when Pine Island was starting to run. I just saw this magnificent horse just loading into the gate and I thought how beautiful I was in awe. In only a matter of minutes Pine Island was gone. Horrific Accident. The Phipps Stable so emotional talked about Pine Island as being the Barn Pet. I was so distraught. With horses pets in general people. I think it just spells Love so greatly. That only God can give us.
    I believe though with death it gives way to victory as God promised. And I hold on to that because I know it is true.
    I am so happy I have been blessed to have horses in my life and I think alot of us here share a common bond of love for the horse, the beautiful Thoroughbred and all the wonderful species the great and small.
    I believe with all my heart that we will see our loved ones again, human and horse
    I wanted also to say a huge Thank You to all the farms that let us visit. I think most get it (The Love Connection) Life is so Short and we all Can be Gone Too Soon. But having said that there can be victory in the end for all of us.
    I also just wanted to stop a minute this Christmas and Celebrate All of our lives and some wonderful aging horsesthat are still with us Storm Cat, A P Indy, Quiet American, Point Given, Cigar, Mineshaft, Chapel Of Dreams, Charismatic, Silver Charm, Smart Strike and so many many more I pray the good lord willbless and Keep us all.
    Paynter may the Good Lord bless and take care of you and all horses and humans in harms way.

    • / Reply

      Peggy (N). It is a privilege to hear your heartfelt words. May this Christmas season bring you much deserved happiness. And here is to a wonderful 2013 for your golden boy, Orfevre, now known affectionately to some of us as the Big O.

      • / Reply

        Thank you so much Max. Woo Hoo, yes Orfevre (Big O) But, you know they have just got to start releasing more info on him.

        • Dear Peggy N,

          Maybe “O” is resting up for the 2013 season.
          Playing in the snow !!!!

        • Peggy, with the tragic loss of Pulpit, you may not have noticed this article.
          O is just taking a much needed rest. He will return to training. Keta
          Orfevre misses Arima Kinen and done for year
          By Masakazu Takahashi 11:25AM 7 DEC 2012 Racing Post
          JAPAN: After a long and slightly frustrating season trainer Yasutoshi Ikee has decided to skip the Arima Kinen with Japanese superstar Orfevre in favour of preparing his charge to go one better in next year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
          The Arima Kinen is the end-of-season championship race in Japan and the single biggest betting race in the world, but it will be without Japanese racing’s star attraction after Ikee conceded a long season had caught up with Orfevre.
          http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/yasutoshi-ikee-japan-orfevre-misses-arima-kinenand-done-for-year/1165584/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

        • Dear Keta

          Yes OMG I did miss that article. I had been waiting to see that. I am so glad they are giving him a rest. So glad to know he is Ok. He’ll bounce back. The Arc yes yes was so hoping he would run in it again. The one this year was so exciting. I will miss seeing him Christmas, but i’ld rather he have a rest. I know I’m taking off the last week in this year too. Can’t wait. Get a good rest Big O.
          Thank you again Keta so much for posting

    • / Reply

      wonderful peggy….i would like to add Lord Avie to the list….the oldest living eclipse winner…i think…i believe he is 34 now…but i could be a little off

      • / Reply

        Carol and Max, Yes you just want to hug all these older horses. I think of all those at Old Friends too. I saw one there once that hardly had any teeth. But, he seemed so happy. One there had lost one of his eyes, but seemed living well. So precious.

        • Old Friends is such a very speical place.
          Would love to go and see Rapid Redux
          and his buddy Gulch.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kennedy’s,

      The above link is an article that has a lot on Equine lung capacity and function.
      Basically the higher the pressure in the lungs the thinner the tissue gets,
      and this occurs in racing and many other things horses do, breeding also increases pressure in the chest. When the tissue gets thin it bleeds or ruptures.

      This phenomenon is clinical and will not be found specifically in print unless it is a
      discussion bringing up many different points as there is no scientific research
      on this. It is just something found clinically that guides veterinarians/medical folks
      in what is going on with horses/people.

      In print, it will say things are inconclusive as there are many discussion points on how these things happen. Only a post will tell as you mentioned, don’t think Claibourne will post results as they already know as they have been in the horse business 100 years.
      The post will be done for insurance reasons. Equines have very delicate physiology. L

    • / Reply

      Thanks Peggy N for such a wonderful heart warming post.

      In a positive light, there are soo many talented, gorgeous
      TB that are alive, winning and breeding wonderful horses.

      That includes Zenyatta, and her wonderful offspring 12 Z
      and her soon to be 13 Z foal. We are soo lucky to share
      in the wondeful life to Zenny, 12 Z, The Mosses, The Sherriffs,
      Team Zenyatta and wonderful Lanes End.

      Thanks to all of you for making this a wonderful place to come.

      XXXXOOOOO

        • Dear Peggy N,

          You had go me hooked on Japan and now Hong Kong racing.
          Thanks for being such a great friend.

        • Dear Sign,

          We’ve just got to learn how to get in sinc with that time difference. Don’t we.?

  23. / Reply

    Richard’s Kid headed for 2013 season
    The Sports Network Published Friday, Dec. 07, 2012
    Richard’s Kid, trained by Doug O’Neill, is being prepared for another season of racing in 2013. The 7-year-old horse completed his 2012 campaign with a fourth-place finish last week in the Native Diver Stakes at Hollywood Park.
    “He came back great,” said O’Neill. “He ran bigger and gave more of an effort in the Breeders’ Cup (Classic) than I had originally thought. He just bounced a little bit. But he came out of it sound and we’re just shooting for a big time campaign in 2013.”

    Richard’s Kid, a two-time winner of the Pacific Classic, was fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov.3 behind Fort Larned, but two spots ahead of rival Game On Dude who won the Native Diver.
    Formerly trained by Bob Baffert, Richard’s Kid won two of seven starts this year since arriving back from Dubai. The 7-year-old won the Prove It Stakes and Cougar II this summer with a second to Game On Dude in the Hollywood Gold Cup and a pair of thirds in the Pacific Classic and Awesome Again Stakes.
    Co-owned by Triple B Farms, Richard’s Kid could be headed back to Dubai for the $10 million World Cup, a race he finished 12th in 2011.
    “That’s one of those things that no matter what I think, you have to get invited anyway,” O’Neill said. “So we’ll play it by ear. That would be a dream place to run him, but he’s going to have to pick it up to be invited.”
    Richard’s Kid has banked better than $2.3 million in 39 lifetime starts with 11 wins.
    http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/07/5038522/richards-kid-headed-for-2013-season.html

  24. / Reply

    @Peggy (N)–I wholeheartedly agree with every word you said. I remember so clearly that day we lost beautiful Pine Island and that they called her their Barn Pet. How fragile life is and how precious! That is why I do as much as I can to rescue as many as I can for as long as I can.
    Do you remember George Washington? And Rough Sailing? And Gold Ember? And of course dear Eight Belles. So very tragic. They were doing their handlers’ bidding. I cannot imagine losing one, although I know that dreadful day will come sometime.
    Condolences to everyone at Claiborne on the loss of your beloved Pulpit. You will be in our hearts this Christmas. Hugs to all. Love you, Z, always.

    • / Reply

      Hey Barbara, That was rough wasn’t it the day Pine Island died. Yes I do remember George Washington and Eight Belles and the others. It’s been hard hasn’t it. Such tragedy’s. Even though its sad I like remembering them all. Ruffian,Ferdinand, all. May the Good Lord have them all with him.

      Barbara did you know Pine Island is buried at Claiborne Farm too. I have only visited the cemetary behind the office. But I heard Matt Carouthers talking on TVG and he asked one of the others guys if they had gone up the hill to the cemetary. I think he was talking about Claiborne. He talked like it was a wonderful experience. I know Pine Island is buried there. Is there a second cemetary there. I know Secretariat and Reva Ridge and many others are behind the office.

    • / Reply

      Dear Barbara,

      I googled it and there is a Marchmont Division of Claiborne Farm a Cemetary, Lots of horses buried there. There is the Main Cemetary that I saw and sounds like you saw. Pine Island is buried at Marchmont Cemetary at Claiborne along side Easy Goer and other Phipps horses. I am thinking this is the cemetary Matt Carothers was talking about. The man that took us around did not mention that cemetary.
      I would like to visit it next time I’m up there. Want to visit Pine Island’s grave.
      It list a number of places around the farm where horses are buried. Some of them are even unmarked graves. Looks like very old graves.

        • Yes, I so much want to visit the second cemetary. I am going to ask when I go up again. I just want to know where she’s at (Pine Island) and just to visit with her. She was such a beauty. Along side Easy Goer how nice. I have always heard like Sign said how nice Seth and Dell are.
          I am so hoping they will let us visit.

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy and Barbara,

      Claibourne is so “fan” friendly, I imagine they would let visitors see
      the additional cemetery. I just really love this farm. Del an Seth are so
      avaiblable to the public, Dell does a lot of interviews on HRTV and
      they have such a wonderful breeding program.

      Hope they win the KY Derby again, Swale was such a special horse,
      “dropped dead” after training for the Belmont, thought to be a
      cardiac arrythmia.

  27. / Reply

    Dear Dawn Conrad,
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and many more wonderful years to come!
    Hope you will have a lovely weekend.
    Hugs!

    Dear Trina,
    Another great poetic accomplishment! Thank you for it and for reposting last year’s as well.
    All the best, always!

  28. / Reply

    dear peggy such a wonderful and inspiring post life is so fragile for us all we see it more over here with the jumps but it can happen just as quickly on our flat tracks too it’s a sad part of racing someone must be excited the bigOwill be back next year!!!!hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena, Yes I am just over the moon excited about him coming back. With all the sadness about Pulpit, it was so nice to see that. We’ve been so wonderfully blessed with so many great horses haven’t we

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