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

    Betfair Hollywood Park News
    $250,000 – Native Diver Stakes – Grade III – 34th Running – 1 1/8 Miles
    Jockey and Trainer Quotes Posted 12.01.12 at 4:06
    Jockey Quotes
    MIKE SMITH, GAME ON DUDE, Winner:“He had a little hiccup coming out of the gate. He was squatting a little. I have a couple of ideas maybe we’ll try (next time). The idea was just to stay out of his way. (Jockey) Martin (Pedroza) secured the lead (on Nonios) and if he wanted it going at a decent pace, I was going to let him have it. But he didn’t really go on and I was determined to stick him in there. I know this horse is brave, so I just put him where I thought I had to. He handled the track well. The key for me was to win, and if I could win without gutting him, it would be really good. I wanted to see if he’d fight, he acted like he would in the mornings, and he certainly did in the afternoon. He won pretty much within himself.”

    MARTIN PEDROZA, NONIOS, Second: “I knew I couldn’t let the other horse get away or my horse wouldn’t have any chance. He would have won by 10 lengths. It was pretty tight on the first turn, but that’s just horse racing. I figured nobody else was going and that was his only chance.’’

  2. / Reply

    Thanks, Keta! Love your posts! Please don’t ever leave us.

    @Terry Crow: You are the best! Your being back with us is most certainly our early Christmas gift. Thanks for the jokes!

    Everyone: Have a wonderful Sunday! Love and kisses to you, Dear Zenyatta!

  3. / Reply

    All: I spoke to Judy yesterday. After a month in the hospital, she is now home at HEART. She sounds so perky and happy. Amazing woman!

    She had radiation for her cancer. It fried her left lung and the lung was removed! Right lung is fine! While the lung was coming out, docs were able to get “we think all” of the mass wrapped around her aorta. Waiting to hear about chemo protocol.

    If you were a fan of HEART, Dynaformer, and Dyna King – even if you weren’t – now is the time to light those gratefulness candles (HEART, or JudyG, or Judy). If you can, send donations either for HEART (tax deductable) or to Judy’s medical fund (non-tax deductable). I’ll be spending at least one day of my upcoming vacation in Tucson volunteering at HEART and will give her all of your good wishes.

    Hugs and love, diastu in tempe (will provide candles link in next post)

  5. / Reply

    Great discussion of GOD win, with BB comments.

    Chantal never left anything in the “tank” for the stretch and let GOD run the “show”.

    Mike Smith, ran the show and used GOD’s, aggressiveness, desire to win,
    and gritty determination to get the win, he also saved some “petrol” for
    the stretch. Great win, just hope it continues. This horse is not easy
    to ride.

    http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74831/game-on-dude-digs-deep-takes-native-diver

  6. / Reply

    This link is from a 1991 article on the how lasix works in horses.
    (Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine)
    The issue seems to be that there is that the scientific evidence
    that it has any effect on EIPH is controversial and unclear. May work
    for some horses and not all ???

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1941755

    • / Reply

      It’s a 1991 study–21 years old. That’s an eternity in scientific research. This doesn’t necessarily invalidate the study or its conclusions, but you can be sure a lot of work has been done since then. Current thinking on the efficacy of furosemide may be quite different.

      • / Reply

        Dear Laura J,

        This study is called a “seminal” work in the academic world,
        It is an NIH (National Institute of Health study, which means the
        federal government gave a large amount of money to have
        it done). These “seminal” publish works STAND ALONE FOR AN
        ETERNITY until another more current federally funded project comes out and says different. This article was found in Pub Med, which has the most current
        research on the topic. Lasix is Lasix, it has been used for years and years
        and years and the action of the drug does not change and the action of the drug on physiology of the horse. The only things that can change the results are a change in the formulation of the drug or the physiology of the horse. Neither of which has happened and that is why the NIH has not spent any more money on
        the issue.

        IE: Lasix has been used in human heart failure patients for an eternity ( the seminal drug studies on Lasix for humans go back to the 1800’s) ,
        its action, what is does in the body has not changed and human physiology has not changed.

        THOSE NOT FROM THE ACADEMIC WORLD THINK THAT CURRENT RESEARCH IS THE GOSPEL, THOSE FROM THE ACADEMIC WORLD KNOW THE SEMINAL WORKS TELL THE STORY AND ARE NOT UNPROVEN UNTIL THE DRUG
        FORMULATION CHANGES OR PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPECIES CHANGES, NEITHER OF WHICH HAS OCCURRED.

        THIS STUDY HAS VERY CREDIBLE RESULTS THAT STANT CURRENT IN THE YEAR 2012 IT IS SEMINAL RESEARCH ARTICLES ON LASIX.

        • Dear Z fans,

          The link below is another 1991 article on the physiology of equine
          EIPH in a variety of breeds and a variety of work (racing, fox hunting,
          jumping etc). IT SEEMS ALL OF THE INITIAL RESEARCH WAS DONE ON
          THE TOPIC AT THIS TIME. Will post an article from 2009, which now looks at ways to improve the breathing of equine athletes so EIPH does not develop;
          ie the nasal strip.

          http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1882515

        • Oh dear Sign – your “caps lock key” must be stuck again. No, the drug is still the same (and so are horse, I’m told), but the dose and/or how and when the drug is given could have changed as well as the identification of OTHER factors that might influence its effects.
          There is no need to yell at people like this. Laura clearly said that the age of the study didn’t invalidate its results. Perhaps no one has put forth the effort to secure funding for additional research, and as we all know, federal research money has tightened up, or perhaps someone with new results simply hasn’t found the right journal for publication. The academic world is grateful for people who recognize that problems still exist and who are willing to consider real life experience in finding the answers.

        • Dear Sandy,

          Just reviewed all of the veterInary literature in Pub med and since the
          SEMIINAL ARTICLES DATE BACK TO A FEW IN 1970’S, MORE IN 1980’S AND THE MOST IN EARLY 1990’S. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL CURRENT RESEARCH.

          HOPING, STATING POSSIBILITIES AND THERE MUST BE’S DOES NOT MAKE IT A REALITY.

          THE FOCUS NOW IS ON THE NASAL STRIP, WHICH IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL, AS WE SAW WITH IHA AND NYRA !!!

          THIS ARTICLE IS FROM 2001,

          http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11720029

          THIS IS A VERY OLD ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN DEBATED FOR MANY YEARS
          AND NOW THE EQUINE RACING WORLD IS SEEING ITS EFFECT’S 30 YEARS LATER.

          VERY SAD !!!

        • OTHER DRUGS THAT HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED FOR EIPH
          SINCE 1970’S – none showed any promise for multiple reasons.

          Carbanzochrome- prevents bleeding

          Pentoxyphilline – increases blood flow to small blood vessels

          Phenylbutazone – non-steroidal antinflammatory for animals;
          like Motrin for humans

          Chromium Sodium – dilates the bronchioles

        • Dear Z fans,

          A really good point made by Ann NC a few blogs ago,

          WOULD WE TAKE AN INHALER AWAY FROM A HUMAN
          WITH EXERCISED INDUCED ASTHMA? DEFINATELY NOT.

          SO WHY ARE WE DOING THAT TO OUR HORSES ???

        • Dear Sign, if you permit me to say, it is actually easier for us to read text that is not written all in capitals (that’s one of the points Sandy was making). It also “feels” more comfortable for the reader, since we tend to feel that we are being shouted at when all caps are used–I can almost feel my blood pressure rising when I read a lot of capitalized text. As they say, a little goes a long way. Thanks for listening. Love in Dumplinghood, Trina

  7. / Reply

    A Birthday Poem for Barbara Wood
    (December 2, 2012)

    Meeting our dear Barbara Wood at the BC
    Was terrific–
    Her visage is truly beatific,
    And the radiant smile on her face
    Is like unto a warm embrace.
    Not only is she beautiful,
    But also a soldier most dutiful
    In Equi-Army is she–
    Yes, this Texan so attractive
    Is in equine causes highly active.
    Our dear Barbara Wood
    Works tirelessly to see
    That every horse gets treated
    As it should.
    In various fights
    For equine rights
    On many a front
    She’ll not be defeated!
    She strives to see
    That our wild horses don’t take the brunt
    Of the BLM’s shameful activities
    Which belie even their stated policies.
    She jumps into action
    Wherever that small faction
    That promotes horse slaughter
    Tries to gain traction.
    She’s always quick to donate
    To horse rescue
    To save any horse from that cruel fate.
    And whatever you do,
    If perchance you should hear
    Her mention
    How much she loves Money,
    Don’t mistake her thought
    Or intention
    Or think that’s funny—
    There’s nothing to fear—
    It’s not as it might appear—
    She’s speaking of the horse of her daughter!
    He’s Money ’n Jewels,
    (As in “More Loved Than…”),
    To the whole family he’s dear,
    And Barbara’s his special fan!
    So here’s to Barbara, our Texan
    Who’s sweeter than honey
    But will sting like a bee
    If abuse of a horse she does see.

    Happy birthday, Barbara Wood, and many, many happy returns!

    • / Reply

      Dear Barbara,

      HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Birthday, hope you have a wonderful day with your
      hubby.

    • / Reply

      Dear Trina,

      Such a very lovely poem for Barbara, and love the inclusion of
      meeting her a the BC and all of the things she has contributed
      to the equine world.

      A SUPERB POEMS BY A OUR TALENTED POETRESS !!

    • / Reply

      Happy Birthday dear friend!! Getting to meet you (finally) at the BC was one of the great moments of the experience – didn’t we have fun? Best wishes to you for a calm and peaceful year. ♥♥♥

      Trina – another wonderful and informative poem! You capture so much of the essence of the birthday person and share it with all of us.

      Sandy

    • / Reply

      A very, very, very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our beloved Barbara, true friend of all horses. May God bless you with a great day and many, many more. The Horses need you to fight for them. Hugs on this special day.

    • / Reply

      ditto to all the above bday posts.
      very eloquently put. :)
      have a great bday barbara.
      may god bless you richly.
      hugs/prayers, vamp

    • / Reply

      Happy, Happy Birthday, Barbara! It was great meeting you at the BC Z party. Another good poem, Trina!

  9. / Reply

    Kate Hunter‏@KeibaKate tweets Japan Cup Dirt
    Nihonpiro Ours(White Muzzle) destroys his many G1 winning rivals
    in the Japan Cup Dirt.

    Charismatic’s Wonder Acute was second in the Japan Cup Dirt.
    He was 2nd last year too!

    Didn’t see that coming! Nihonpiro wha?

  10. / Reply

    Ramsey Runners Win 4 in Claiming Crown
    By Claire Novak, @BH_CNovak Updated: Saturday, December 1, 2012 11:09 PM
    Parent’s Honor capped a big day for Ken and Sarah Ramsey at Gulfstream Park Dec. 1, taking the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at odds of 16-1 to give the owners their fourth winner on the South Florida track’s opening day card.

    The Claiming Crown series, hosted by Gulfstream for the first time, was dominated by Ramsey-owned runners trained by Mike Maker, who eclipsed Scott Lake as the all-time leading trainer with 12 total Claiming Crown wins, three more than Lake’s previous record.
    Thanks to the well-supported Claiming Crown, Gulfstream set opening day records for its new facility for on-track and overall handle. Total handle was $12.2 million, up 66% from last year’s opening day. On-track handle was $1.44 million, up 84% from the previous year.

    The Ramseys and Maker won the $100,000 Iron Horse Stakes with Brother Bird,
    the $100,000 Rapid Transit Stakes with Bernie the Maestro, and
    the $125,000 Tiara Stakes with Starsilhouette.
    They just missed the $125,000 Emerald by a head with Major Marvel before Parent’s Honor, a 4-year-old Elusive Quality gelding, put an exclamation point on the afternoon.

    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74832/ramsey-runners-win-4-in-claiming-crown#ixzz2Dt4QNMWV

  11. / Reply

    dear diana had been thinking of judy lately so glad to hear she is home and despite everything she’s been through remains cheer ful please pass on my love when you see her will look for the websitehugs sheena

  13. / Reply

    Dear Zenny fans, Dumpling and all who
    graze their eyes on this wonderful site,

    The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
    The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be
    gracious unto thee;
    The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give the
    peace.

    WISHING EVERYONE A RESTFUL SUNDAY !!

  14. / Reply

    so glad to hear judy of HEART is home…light those candles please
    …..
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BARBARA WOOD…..
    ….
    great work as always Trina
    …..
    have the bestest day to all….
    love you Zenny

  15. / Reply

    DAILY RACING FORUM ON GAME ON DUDES WIN,

    BAFFERTS SAYS: HE IS A “A BUS WITHOUT BREAKS” !!!

    ““He had a little hiccup coming out of the gate,” Smith said. “He was squatting a little.”

    But Smith made up for lost time.

    “You have to be aggressive. Sometimes, you have to go for broke,” said winning trainer Bob Baffert. “I thought Nonios was the horse to beat, and I figured Pedroza would get aggressive with him, try to get in Dude’s psyche.”

    Game On Dude is prone to occasionally breaking slowly. The key for Baffert is what happens next.

    “After about 50 yards, he picks up steam,” Baffert said. “He’s like a bus without brakes.”

    Smith didn’t apply the brakes. Over a deep, tiring surface playing several seconds slower than par, Game On Dude clicked off quarter-mile fractions of 24.52 seconds, 49.81, 1:14.97, and 1:39.90 en route to a final time of 1:52.27 for 1 1/8 miles, one lap around the main Cushion Track surface at Hollywood Park.

    “It’s a pretty demanding track, the way it is,” Baffert said.”

  17. / Reply

    @ Trina. Another wonderful poem depicting the essence of the honoree. Brava!

    @ Diana Thank you for the update about Judy Glore, a modern day heroine. Also, how great that you are going to volunteer at Heart of Tucson on your vacation. How rewarding that will be all the way around.

  18. / Reply

    Dearest Trina–thank you so much for the lovely poem. You keep outdoing yourself. Not a one of us here knows how you do it. I love all the info. packed in them too (although you are WAY too kind about my “visage”–lol! love you.

    @carolinarkansas,sheena davies(wales), ann NC, Keta, sign and Sandy–thank you so much for your kind wishes! Hugs to all.

    @Diana–it warms my heart that Judy has returned home. She is needed by so many, and she would be next to impossible to replace, I fear. Please give her our love and tell her she is in our prayers.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Thanks so much for sharing, such a beautiful verse for that time, for your father.
      Very touching and special for you both.

  20. / Reply

    LOVE THIS ONE AND MISSED EARLIER IN THE YEAR

    Kauto Star, before decision to retire, having a holiday with
    the boys, just being a horse !!!!!

    ww.youtube.com/watch?v=F1nnb5b21-k

  22. / Reply

    Dear Barbara Wood.

    HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY my dear Southern Belle Friend. Hope you and Alan have a great day and you get everything you want. I am so happy to know you and consider you my friend. Love and hugs in Dumplinghood.

    Darlene

  23. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Barbara, best wishes for many more.
    Victoria made it thru the first semester and will be starting her two week work experience tomorrow morning at a stable that is very close to home. She did her last practical exam on Friday morning and is already going thru horse withdrawal, so she can hardly wait for Monday morning .
    I have a lot to catch up but did watch Game On Dude and Mikey yesterday – an exciting race. Now I’m waiting for Ebby’s second race.

    • / Reply

      Dear Brenda,

      How exciting for Victoria to have completed her first semester and starting work
      experience. She is on her way to being an EQUINE EXPERT !!!
      Congratulations to Victoria !!

    • / Reply

      Dear Brenda: Tell Vic that “Auntie diastu” is very proud of her! And I want to remind her of a certain trainer we all love who might have an opening for her when she is ready! (She has lots of SoCal aunties, so she’ll be in good hands!)

      Hugs and love, diastu in tempe

  24. / Reply

    HRTV EXPERTS SAID TODAY:

    GOD ran a 109 Beyer on a “heavy” for US dirt tracks yesterday.
    Track time was very slow. (so glad GOD is not “done”).

    Bob Baffert on First Call today said, “No Dubai for GOD”.

    HRTV EXPERTS SAY:

    GOD does not like the surface in Dubai and will stay home, maybe not
    even travel at all !!!

    Zoe Cadman pointed out “Point of Entry and Animal Kingdom are going
    to Dubai”.

  26. / Reply

    Dear Zenny fans, dumplings and All,

    Below is the link to Backside 55 facebook page,
    They have a great facebook monitor, someone
    posted the article from hardcopy bloodhorse on “E” and they
    commented on how they had to remove it
    as there are “copyright”issues. AND ALSO COMMENTED
    ON HOW PRINTING PHOTOS FROM THE INTERNET
    IS “NOT LEGAL”. GREAT COMMENTS BY JAG
    ABOUT THE ARTICLE. The mystery video of the day
    of “E” maiden race, which disappeared from the internet, VICKI B, let us
    know about, is on the facebook page. It is by MARK,
    “who ever that is. ”

    https://www.facebook.com/Backside55?v=wall

  27. / Reply

    ♥ Eblouissante (3-Year-Old Filly) ♥
    Date: December 2, 2012
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 52:40 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 44/46 ♥
    She might race at HP after all… go Big E! ♥

    • / Reply

      Dear JAG,

      Please let us know as soon as you hear.
      Will check plane reservations at that time.
      If not too expensive, will make the trip.

      Thanks for the update.

  28. / Reply

    ♥ BARBARA WOOD Happy Birthday! ♥
    I posted on your FB wall yesterday – I didn’t want to miss your day :-) Enjoy your day!
    Auntie Judy XO

  29. / Reply

    Workouts Today

    EBLOUISSANTE (3-year-old filly)
    Date: December 2, 2012
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 52:40 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 44/46

    SPRNG BLOOM (3-year-old filly)
    Date: December 2, 2012
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 49:40 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 4/21

    TIZ GIANNI (4-year-old colt)
    Date: December 2, 2012
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 51:20 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 37/46

    Thank you, Backside 55!

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