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

  4. / Reply

    Dear Zenny fans and Z Dumplings,
    in this season of joy and happiness,

    God grant me the serenity
    to accept life’s gifts that are unchangeable;
    courage to change the things the gifts that are;
    and wisdom to know the difference.

    Living one day at at time;
    enjoying one moment at a time;
    accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
    trusting that He will make all things right,
    that joy is truly a part of of this life
    as we accept Him into our lives;
    being supremely happy with Him and the
    special family and friends that surround
    us forever in the next.
    Amen.
    (revised)

    THANKS TO ZENYATTA AND HER FAMILY FOR BRINGING US ALL TOGETHER,
    MAY YOUR DAY BE JOYOUS AND FILLED WITH HAPPINESS.

  5. / Reply

    11/29/2012 7:24PM
    Acclamation to stand at Old English Rancho in 2013; could return to racing later in year
    By Steve Andersen

    ACCLAMATION TO BEGIN STALLION CAREER AS HIS LIGAMENT INJURY HEALS,
    MAY RETURN TO THE TRACK MID 2013

    Acclamation will begin a stallion career next year, but he also could return to the track in the second half of 2012.
    Acclamation, the champion older male of 2011, is scheduled to begin a stallion career at Old English Rancho in Sanger, Calif., in 2013 and could return to racing in the second half of the year, owner Bud Johnston said Thursday.

    Acclamation is scheduled to be sent to the farm in December. He will stand for $20,000, live foal.

    A potential resumption of his racing career depends on how Acclamation recovers from a strained ligament in a foreleg that has kept him away from racing since July.

    “We need to evaluate the injury and see how it heals,” Johnston said. “There is a possibility we can do it. The injury has to be healed 100 percent. The vets say in four or five months it should be 100 percent. If we plan on bringing him back, we’d start jogging every day and breeding him when we want to.”

    A California-bred by Unusual Heat, Acclamation, 6, has won 11 of 30 starts and $1,958,048. A winner of six Grade 1 races in his career, Acclamation has won his last seven starts, all in graded stakes.

    The current winning streak began in the Grade 1 Charles Whittingham Handicap in June 2011 and includes the Grade 1 Pacific Classic in 2011, the 2012 Whittingham, and the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar in July, his most recent start.

    Acclamation was sidelined in August when training for the Pacific Classic. The injury had not subsided by early October, forcing the end of his 2012 season.

    Trainer Don Warren said that Acclamation has a temperament that would allow him to return to racing after being bred to mares.

    “He’s such a kind horse,” he said.

    Currently, Acclamation is with Warren at Santa Anita.

    “He’s with me right now,” Warren said. “I’ve been putting a blister on the ligament that has been a problem. When I’m done with that, I’ll send him to the farm.”

  6. / Reply

    HRTV RACING EXPETS DISCUSS THE NATIVE DIVER

    1. Why Mike Smith riding GOD? Is GOD done?
    2. Richards Kid has been a winner on the poly, with Raphael Bejarano
    aboard, it would be a “sweet” win for him, RK and Doug O’Neil
    3. Nonios is the “money pick”.

    Others may rally for the win/on the board.

    GO GO GO GOD, rain rain go away !!!

    • / Reply

      i guess i will have to go with the “always a bridesmaid” guy Nonios……i think he is sitting on a big one….just dont know when he will let it out

      • / Reply

        Took me a minute to figure out who this was – Oh! It’s our Carol (in Arkansas). Nonios is my guy too Carol. He won for me in the ‘capping contest (and he cost me a little money at the BC), but I’m hoping he can come through :-)
        Sandy

      • / Reply

        Dear Carol and Sandy,

        From what is being said, Nonios is sitting on a big one just
        like your are saying. Glad you guys have already scoped him
        out.

    • / Reply

      read this yesterday….very interesting…just always thought they brought their own…never considered the tracks had a room full of silks to be used

      • / Reply

        Great Carol, so glad all can read as well,
        Here. So very interesting as you pointed
        Out !!!

  8. / Reply

    Dear Linda in NJ,

    Please let us know you are OK. Not sure what part of New Jersey you are in. Just heard about the train crash and hope you are not effected. Love in Dumplinghood. Darlene

    • / Reply

      Thanks for posting this Darlene.

      Linda J,
      Our thought and prayers are with you.

    • / Reply

      Hi Darlene:
      Thank you for thinking of me. I appreciate that. I am okay, thank goodness. This was not my train route. What a horrible and frightening incident!

      I am going back through the posts trying to see if there was a Z-Dumpling involved in the crash. Was Linda-J on that train? If so, hopefully she is okay.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      So glad you liked the photos of Zenny, Nina is so very talented.
      Maybe if Kauto comes to the US, Nina could do a piece on
      him, when he becomes a champion in dressage. Am I making
      up a story of course. He is a very special horse, exuberant,
      funny, comical and so very competent, even at his age.
      He is such a beautiful mover !!!

      • / Reply

        PS.

        Teddy is doing well, he was boycotting his treats and work for affection
        this morning. He is so funny, he always works for his treats, some days
        he will just spit them out and not do any work. Just wants to be a dog
        and have fun !!!! Loves to jump. In class this week he jumped about
        4 feet wide broad jump, his trainer was WOW’d. Maybe we will have to
        do agility, however, there may be too much handler error.

        Love the Crufts dog show, will have to look for agility next time it is on.

  10. / Reply

    @Linda J.–hoping with everyone else that you are ok. Ditto for Linda Edwards in NJ. Barbara Grimaldi is in northern NJ.

    @Good morning, all: I want to share a link with you that provides a marvelous Christmas gift for anyone who loves horses and wants to work for their welfare. http://www.HoofPrints.com. Sarah K. Andrew has marvelous photos and stories of the rescued horses. One mustnag even became a dressage ribbon winner. She was able to present a check last year for nearly $40,000 to Penny Austin of One Horse at a Time. Each one is lees than $20, plus shipping, and there is time to order before Christmas. I will leave you with a quote from Penny Austin:
    “Don’t ever think that you can’t offer but a little. Your little is mighty. Always.”
    That should be written in stone somewhere. Just ask Marlene Dodge. Hugs to all.

    • / Reply

      Wonderful story. This is “our” Mindy Lovell from Canada, who has helped our Equi-Army in the past. She has about 50 horses, and I don’t know how she does it. She is a modern-day heroine! And there are so many just like “Opie”. It all starts at the beginning with breeding too many too often. And this is the result. Congratulations to the new “mom” on her new job too. What goes around comes around.
      @Sandy from NE Ohio–“your” Cleveland Jen Roytz is mentioned here too!

    • / Reply

      What a great story Janet! I can’t get over how brave this woman was to take on a horse when she had no job. Her story of his arrival sounds a lot like our Sue Noel!

      • / Reply

        Dear Janet: Terrific story – he was so well named – love his dam Applepeal, and to then just dump him. But just a blessed ending!

    • / Reply

      Janet, thank you for the story. Thank goodness Opie has a great, loving forever home now! Love to read stories like this.

    • / Reply

      Oh, I’m in tears. My beloved Point Given’s Son. God Bless her for finding him. He sounds like his Daddy Point Given, as he is so gentle also. Like Father, Like Son.

    • / Reply

      Oh my gosh, Janet, thanks so much for sharing. This is a great story. I remember seeing Point Given at Three Chimneys Farm a few years ago. He seemed like such a nice horse. His son was one lucky horse. Great, Great story.

      – Linda

  13. / Reply

    What is Twitter?
    Twiter is really nothing more than a bulletin board. People post messages.
    These are only sorted by time–latest tweet in one on top.
    So, when I log on, there could a newspaper followed by a clocker’s corner
    and then a farm and so on.
    I am in control of what I receive by being very discriminating on who
    I follow (Following 410) and who I let follow me (Followers 155)
    I could easily have double or triple the number of Followers
    People can not just Follow you. I get an e-mail telling me who wants to
    Follow me. I choose whether or not they can.
    But, again, I like to keep a select circle.

    Who are some not all of the news sources and people I Follow & Following me
    Farms : Three Chimneys, Stonestreet, Coolmore, Lane’s End, Darley
    Jockeys: Joe Talamo, Eswan Flores, Trainers: Doug O’Neill, Bob Baffert, Team Z
    Writers: Steve Haskin, Clare Balding, Claire Novak, Teresa Genaro, Ray Paulick
    Racetracks: Churchill Downs, Betfair Hollywood Park, NYRA
    Magazines & Newspapers: The BLood-Horse, Daily Racing Form, Racing Post, Horse Racing Nation, Chronicle of the Horse
    Owners: Harris Auerbach, A. Zayat & Justin Zayat. Gondolphin,
    Little Red Feather Racing,
    I am sure you noticed that all of the above are focused on horses and racing
    .
    My other Followers/Followings are national, international and local news people, newspapcers. radio/tv staions, sports, and, of course, friends.

    What is a Tweet?
    Here is an example of a tweet
    BH_MaidenWatch‏@BH_MaidenWatch
    New Blog: Brenda’s Bar is Happiest Together with the California Dream http://bit.ly/V9CKKu

    This tweet is from The Blood-Horse.
    The maximum character length allowed is 140 characters. That includes the Address.
    This particular tweet is 124 characters in length.

    So, that bulletin board I talked about is filled with Post-It size messages.
    What this means is to communicate a large piece of information/news
    (like Paynter updates) ,people have to use several tweets.
    This can make it complicated since tweets come in time order and the several tweets may not be sequential.

    I hope this takes some of the mystery out of the world of Twitter.
    I think of it like going into the kitchen, looking at the bulletin board, and seeing who is doing what, and sharing what is informational or just interesting.
    Keta

    • / Reply

      Thank you Keta for the detailed explanation! Some folks don’t get that twitter has legitimate info and isn’t just people’s opinions although those are there too! Great source of news world-wide! I am addicted!

      • / Reply

        Louise that is so very right,
        but most people us it to spread gossip and create Drama,
        Which is very sad.

        I learned on thing about Facebook, employers these days are
        looking at the facebook pages of their potential employees and
        if they don’t like what they see the person will not be hired.

        Very interesting, seems unfair, but what some folks put photo
        wise on facebook and dialoge wise really tells a lot about them.

        They may go into the employer all spiffed up in a dress suit,
        but have questionable photos of themselves, family or friends
        on facebook and not get hired. Very sad, that this medium
        has come to that.

        There are so many folks that use it to keep in contact with family and
        friends for a purpose.

  14. / Reply

    Doug O’Neill‏ tweet Here is an article from ESPN showing we have
    two of the top prospects for the Derby
    http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/8677164/ranking-derby-contenders

    Keta Note: Aricle has top 12 plus Videos of Remsen and other Races

    Ranking the Derby contenders
    By Bill Finley | Special to ESPN.com Updated: November 26, 2012,
    Picking the Derby 5 1/2 minutes before post time is often an exercise in futility, so trying to figure out the outcome 5 1/2 months out is sheer insanity. Nonetheless, here goes:
    1. Normandy Invasion: Chad Brown is more than the flavor of the month. He has emerged this year as one of the sport’s most talented trainers. The one thing he has yet to do is campaign a serious Kentucky Derby contender, but that should change next year thanks to Normandy Invasion. In the Remsen, a race that is a great barometer for future success because it is at a mile-and-an-eighth around two turns, the son of Tapit sat next to last behind a slow pace before unleashing an eye-catching move that just fell short. He didn’t seem to want to go by winner Overanalyze in deep stretch, which may be due to immaturity, which can be corrected.

    2. He’s Had Enough: The team of Doug O’Neill, J. Paul Reddam and Mario Guiterriez will try to do it again after the 2012 win with I’ll Have Another. Another Tapit colt, he showed very little coming into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, where he ran a winning race. He had all sorts of traffic problems in the Juvenile, where he was second behind Shanghai Bobby. Has the breeding and the connections to excel next year.

  15. / Reply

    Matt Hegarty‏ Daily Racing Form
    Graded Stakes committee has released sked of races for next year.
    Two races upgraded to G1 (Hopeful and Delaware), 3 races go from G1 to G2
    .
    Keta Note: Here is the article from The Blood-Horse

    Delaware Handicap, Hopeful Stakes Now Grade I
    By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Friday, November 30, 2012 11:29 AM
    The Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park and Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Race Course have been granted grade I status by the American Graded Stakes Committee, which met Nov. 28 in Lexington.
    The AGSC said it reviewed 673 unrestricted United States stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000 and assigned graded status to 457 of them, eight fewer than were graded in 2012. Listed status was given to 201 races; this is the first year the committee is charged with assessing listed status.
    In all, five graded races were upgraded including the two grade I events and three grade II races. In addition, there is one grade II race and six grade III races that had held listed status.

    Nine races that carried graded status in 2012 are no longer eligible for grading.
    Three races were downgraded from grade I to grade II for 2013: the Charles Whittingham Memorial Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park, Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, and the Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

    Four races were upgraded to grade II status: the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (from listed) at Colonial Downs, Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar, and the Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita.

    Seven races were downgraded from grade II to grade III: the Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct, W.L. McKnight Handicap at Calder Casino & Race Course, General George Handicap at Laurel Park, Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes at Gulfstream, Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and the Robert J. Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita.

    Six races were upgraded to grade III status: the Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream, Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park, Arlington Classic Stakes at Arlington Park, Gallant Bob Stakes and Parx Dash Handicap at Parx Racing, and the Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs.

    Six races were downgraded from grade III to listed status for 2013: the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes and Railbird Stakes at Hollywood Park, Spend A Buck Handicap at Calder, Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs, Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes at Arlington, and the Cicada Stakes at Aqueduct.

    Races not eligible for grading this year are the La Habra Stakes, San Rafael Stakes, and Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita; Kentucky Cup Stakes, Kentucky Cup Distaff Stakes, Kentucky Cup Sprint Stakes, and Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes at Turfway Park; and the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes and Locust Grove Handicap at Churchill.

    Fifteen races were downgraded from listed to non-listed blacktype status: the Gold Rush Futurity at Arapahoe Park; Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park; Zia Park Derby at Zia Park; Sophomore Sprint Stakes, Memorial Day Handicap, Summer Finale Stakes, Decoration Day Handicap, and Firecracker Stakes at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort; Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn; Rumson Stakes at Monmouth Park; San Juan County Commissioners Handicap at SunRay Park; Brandywine Stakes at Parx; Prairie Gold Lassie Stakes at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino; and the Femme Fatale Stakes and Red Carpet Stakes at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

    2013 Graded Stakes Number % Graded Change from 2012
    Grade I 111 24.3% -1
    Grade II 148 32.4% -3
    Grade III 198 43.3% -4
    All Graded 457 67.9%
    Listed 201 29.9%
    All Graded and Listed Races 658

    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74803/delaware-handicap-hopeful-stakes-now-grade-i#ixzz2Dj9OE3GL

    • / Reply

      The Hopeful is just now becoming a Grade I? I thought it had been a Grade I. I wonder if it had been downgraded at one time and is now being re-established as a Grade I.

      And I’m surprised that the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes and Railbird Stakes at Hollywood Park will no longer be graded races.

  16. / Reply

    EHV-1 Impacts Hawthorne Horsemen’s Plans
    By Frank Angst, @BH_FAngst Updated: Friday, November 30, 2012 12:03 PM

    Horsemen at Hawthorne Race Course are trying to plan winter racing schedules but a recently extended quarantine because of an equine herpes outbreak is making that difficult.
    A horse in Barn 1 was euthanized Nov. 26 and a necropsy revealed the horse had EHV-1. It is the fourth horse to die of the disease during the Hawthorne fall meet, which started Oct. 5 and is scheduled to continue through Dec. 30.
    Trainer Larry Rivelli said the quarantine has prevented him and other trainers from selling horses no longer competitive in Illinois to out-of-state connections, who do not wish to wait out the quartantine. While Rivelli said the outbreak and quarantine has cost him some money, he said these situations are part of being a trainer.

    “I’ve learned over the years to put some money away during the good times. Horsemen need a cushion because in racing stuff is going to come up,” Rivelli said. “This has been tough but it’s not the end of the world. You have to adjust.”
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74802/ehv-1-impacts-hawthorne-horsemens-plans#ixzz2DjBo4nvR

  17. / Reply

    Jockeys’Guild ‏tweet
    The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced today that, as of 1st January 2013, the minimum riding weight for Flat racing will be raised by 2lbs, to 8 stone.
    Keta Note: More info from Jockeys’ Guild

    The amendment to the Rules, implemented by the BHA and developed in consultation with the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), is one of a number of changes aimed at assisting jockeys’ welfare. The minimum weight was last raised in 2002, from 7 stone 10 lbs to 7 stone 12 lbs.
    Keta Note: Help!! The conversion charts had 8 stone as 112 or maybe 115 or even 119 lbs.
    So, anyone want to tell me what 8 stone weight really is?

    • / Reply

      Ann and Barbara,

      That is too cute, Shack, naughty??? So very much fits him.
      I love in one of his last article, when he was shipped
      over for showing, “he looked around with a curious eye”.

      Boy wait until he sees those mares all lined up and ready
      for him, He will Crow-hopp right up to them in the shed
      and show his what a “great, naughty guy he is”.

  21. / Reply

    Tattersalls‏ tweet
    A record-breaking day: the turnover of 13,181,800gns means
    that today’s sale was the highest-grossing day ever
    at a European foal sale.

  23. / Reply

    i have been thinking about Nicanor…..since Lentenor is entering stud at Calumet…but i can find no trace of Nicanor….he did not go to stud…so where would he be?

    • / Reply

      Carol, I’m curious about Nicanor, too! The last I heard he was retired and in Florida, but I’m going to try to find out something! Hopefully, I’ll get info back to you! I heard of no stud plans for him.

      • / Reply

        I did see on Alex Brown racing that he is in Ocala, Florida and maybe was gelded? And they are maybe looking for a new career for him? None of this is confirmed!

  24. / Reply

    hi Zsters

    i’ve been enjoying all the links posted :)

    @Diana Stuart – Yay Keta = nice poem ;) ;) too cute

    prayersgo out to both linda’s in nj. i hope niether were in that train crash

    god bless u all today
    hugs/prayers, vamp

  25. / Reply

    @especially horses…
    so very sorry about your mug…i am sure they will make it right for you
    …
    also, i catch Cigar at 7am central time……the would be about 5am for you…
    can usually find him out again in the afternoon arould 2-3ish…..noon to one for you
    ….
    in the summer ….he like to hide beneath the trees and play peek-a-boo..but in the winter we have the advantage….no leaves on the trees

    • / Reply

      Thank you,Sign.
      Those are fantastic photos of the GREAT, Kauto Star.
      That is one horse that really enjoys the sights and sounds of the track, on race day!
      He is so proud of himself,some are just born to jump! Big Time.
      Thanks for the thrills,KS.

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann,

        Glad you enjoyed his Kauto’s photo slideshow.
        I believe his is parading for the last day today
        and get the video and post. He is a very
        elegant confident horse and a wonderful
        mover. Wonder whose yard he will go
        to for his dressage “training”.

        Hugs to Moose and Goose and all of your cow hopping’ equine friend
        and of course your human family, too.

  29. / Reply

    Thought this was so cute. On one of the talk shows tonight I believe it was Pierce Morgan they were interviewing friends of the family that won the huge jackpot. They said they asked the children well what did they want now that they have all the money,
    Their answer was they wanted a (Pony)…………………………………………….
    They were laughing and said I think they will get it now. Too Cute………………………………..

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