Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #2

Q:

When a mare has a foal, and then is sent to another farm to be bred for the next season, is the foal left back at the farm until the mare returns or does the foal accompany mom in the horse van to the stallions farm ? Is someone assigned to the foal to keep it calm while mom is being bred?

Sally Wade

Saginaw, MI

A:Typically, as long as the stallion is local, the foal will be left at home while the mare is bred. They usually return within a one to two hour period, and someone in the barn will watch them closely while the mare is absent. In our breeding shed we will make concessions for mares that are travelling some distance to be bred and allow them to bring the foal with the mare.

Photo by Kyle Acebo

Q:

Zenyatta has always been a big girl and has packed on quite a few since retirement—do you have a way of providing structured exercise to those horses that need it?

Karen in Indiana

Indianapolis, IN

A:In Zenyatta’s case she came to us in peak physical fitness off the track in the dead of winter. Due to the dramatic climate change for her we had to let her down slowly and carefully. Obviously she needs the extra condition for farm life as she has the elements to contend with now. She gained weight gradually and she is a mare than can hold a lot of condition due to her size and depth of girth.

Typically we do not have issues with broodmares becoming too overweight—in fact when they have a foal at their side they need a lot of calories to maintain the foal and their own condition. We feed the mares grain at least twice a day and sometimes three for those who warrant more. The mares are turned out as much as possible when the weather permits, as free exercise is the best way to keep them in shape and healthy both mentally and physically.

We do sometimes have weight control issues with the stallions. We have a horse walker in place at the stallion barn to keep some of the bigger guys from getting too heavy, especially before the breeding season when they need to be fit and ready to go!

Our Expert

Alys Emson

Client Management, Lane’s End

Alys has been at Lane’s End for fourteen years. She has worked in every division of the farm and is now in charge of client management, keeping owners up to speed about the lives of their horses.

Reader Interactions

625 Comments

  1. / Reply

    LE, thanks for answering two questions for us today. It’s been wonderful to be able to follow Zenny in her new life. She gets the best of care and it sure shows on her.
    The Queen has never taken a bad picture and 12Z is following in her “hoofprints”.
    Thanks to the Mosses and LE for keeping us tied to the horse we love so much.

  2. / Reply

    Dear Lanes End,

    Thanks so much for entertaining our questions. So very informative.

    • / Reply

      Alys,

      You are a gem for taking the time to teach us newbie’s about breeding, foaling, foals and everything.

      Just wish I could spend some time at Lanes End. I am sure I would fall in love with the people, the place, all the horses and animals. What a wonderful place to work.

  3. / Reply

    Have to interrupt to post this emergency:
    Front Range Equine is close to being forced to conduct an emergency evacuation from its location because of the Colorado forest fires that have been burning unchecked for weeks. This rescue needs every dollar it can get to cover the loss of its property and to help in transporting its animals to safety. Please help!!!
    From: Hilary Wood – Front Range Equine Rescue
    Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 2:57 PM:
    Help us evacuate HERE!

    This month alone fires have torched more than 85-square miles of Colorado’s landscapes and now most estimates say that 60% of these raging fires ARE STILL UNCONTROLLED! And the greater part of Colorado is suffering from a severe drought. That includes us right here in Larkspur! Our pastures are crispy and no longer green because of it! And the worst part: THERE IS NO RAIN IN SIGHT!
    I can’t even describe to you the fear we feel when the wind blows smoke and haze from the fire into our area. It’s amazing how much life changes when fire danger is at all time highs almost daily. That’s why I’m asking for your EMERGENCY DONATION of $50, $75, $100, $250, $500 OR MORE in the next 72 hours to help us buy the trailers we’d need to save our horses from this wildfire.Please help today! Every penny counts!
    Hilary Wood | P.O. Box 307 | Larkspur, CO 80118

  5. / Reply

    Wow! Thank you so very much for bringing us more answers to the questions we had submitted and providing new photos as well. More than any of us could ever ask for, the treatment we receive from Zenyatta’s connections through this blog and forum is just so wonderful. I’m not very good at expressing things, but with a very grateful heart, I thank you once again.

  6. / Reply

    Maybe Horselover just voiced her comment. After all there can be a good agrument for all the breeding. How many actually make it to the top, what about all the not so fast horses that make it to the slaughter houses. I don’t have an opinion either way and I wouldn’t say the Mosses are greedy but after all money is money!!!! I understand she couldn’t just be a pet but sooner or later enough is enough. Yes, the feral horses breed over and over then sometimes they are rounded up by the goverment. So just cut her some slack and realize some of us don’t always see things as they are with rose colored glasses. This has nothing to do with horses but have you seen how many animals are euthanized week after week because of over breeding?

    • / Reply

      However, the Mosses already established that the foals would never be sold and since the Mosses are very wealthy individuals that love all their racers, it was also established that the foals (nor any horse of the Mosses) will ever see a slaughter house. There is plenty of proof that it is not about money, and there is proof posted all over the photo gallery that Z is happy doing what she does. The post merely beat a dead topic back to life even despite everything the Mosses have done to assure us of Z and her foal’s safe and secure future. That is why everyone has been riled up, not because we look at the situation through rose colored glasses and try to be blind optimists.

  8. / Reply

    Please people, let’s get by all this arguing over what we think is best for Zenyatta…I thought everyone had accepted her retitrement and thrilled at being included by her owners in her new stage in life as the Best Mom in The Horse World. Remember, she chose to connect to her fans as a horse and very intelligent at that. No more trainings, practices or strict racing schedule…now, bless her sweet heart she can have a wonderful normal horse’s life being safe and protected. I could not be any happier for her.I sometimes still watch her races on YouTube with tears and goosebumps

    • / Reply

      I agree with all your comments. I have recorded a lot of Z’s races (including the before and after race commentary) and I get them out regularly to watch. Even though I know she wins in the end, it is as exciting to watch for the 100th time as it was the first.

  9. / Reply

    Here is the mare that had her foal late last week that had been rescued! This is only the first mare and foal pair, and we are anxiously waiting for the second to arrive.

    Baby Riata’s Hope and Momma (not named yet)

    http://t.co/scvkBo6N

  10. / Reply

    Thanks so much to Lane’s End for allowing us to ask our questions and thanks for the very informative answers. I know it’s a very busy place, so the time given to keep us informed is definitely appreciated.

    • / Reply

      Second that, Marty R. And another big thank you to Mr and Mrs Moss for the site and the fabulous photos!

  11. / Reply

    Thank you, Lane’s End, and Ann and Jerry, for being patient with us. And thanks so much for the info….being a Zeniac has had so many benefits! Of course, the very best part is to get an inside peek into her new life, to be able to follow her journey and that of her foal. The pictures and the videos are just so great….Hugs to all! Ann Maree

  12. / Reply

    @ Karen from Indiana
    Are you calling our Zee fat? Hmm?!
    Totally outragous, :) why, she’s just a little oversized and for good reason.
    J/K :)

    • / Reply

      She really is not oversized, she is just right.

      Everyone is used to see her in top racing shape, now she is a good riding horse.
      If she was a grand prix jumper or grand prix dessage or eventing horse she
      would be perfect !!!!

      She is a very big girl and she needs all of her current weight size to brave the KY
      seasons, very warm to very cold. Horses don’t wear coats in the wild their fat stores and fur keep them warm/cool in all weather.

  13. / Reply

    @ Horselover
    so you think, horses have split personalities? Acting one way, but really feeling another?
    They put on a happy face, so people feel validated?

    • / Reply

      @Horselover

      Horses never lie, you always know where you stand.

      They don’t have the cognitive function to be manipulative.

  14. / Reply

    Dear Max,

    Did Paul Lind keep ownership of Dynaformer or sell the breeding rights to Three
    Chimney’s? They were not keeping him for free and he was very high maintenance. That is a good question to call and ask them.

  15. / Reply

    Thank you Thank you!!!!

    I love this new feature!! AND thank you for answering two questions this week! Looking forward to next posting. :)

  17. / Reply

    This question and answer feature is WONDERFUL! Thank you Lane’s End and Team Z for bringing yet another fascinating addition to Z’s website. Great questions so far too.

  18. / Reply

    Zenny is very lucky horse, she had a good luck charm on her and it follow all her offspring now and the future, she is in the good hand from the caring ouner,and all the people taking care of her as well as her following fans all over the world.

  19. / Reply

    I forgot to particularly thank Alys for answering these questions for LE and the Mosses.
    Alys…if you ever need a volunteer to help around the farm, I am always available. :-)

  20. / Reply

    THank you so much, LE and ALys, for answering our questions. We do so appreciate it.Prayers for those caught in danger from the wildfires and floods. I can’t imagine the horror of dealing with seeing fire or water creeping ever closer to my home. Well, actually I have experienced it, but it wasn’t a wildfire.

  21. / Reply

    Thank you so much for your continued support to all of Zenyatta’s loyal fans. You know we can never, ever get enough of her. She is definitely the girl of our dreams and there will never be another Queen. I am so thankful I was around to experience her.
    Thanks Team Zenyatta and all connections
    Love, hugs and kisses

  22. / Reply

    I have to hand it to Lane’s End and give it its due when it comes to keeping the fans of Zenyatta informed. Not the same as when Dottie was running the diary, but it is at least a satisfactory replacement. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome two new members to the Redneck Club. Anne from Paramount is a new California charter member and brings out chapter up to the strength of the Texas chapter. Way to go, Anne. Trisha from Virginia has agreed to accept the presidency of the Virginia chapter. This is great news for all rednecks out there. You know who you are.

  23. / Reply

    Hello there fellow Zen-sters. It’s always so great to see all of these familiar names in the posts!

    I’m happy & busy in steamy Montreal….quite preoccupied with my art courses (multi-media) and keeping THE VAULT active. Daisy Doodlebug is less thrilled with the summer but if her acuity for squirrels stays at current levels, she might need her name altered to Sergeant Daisy!!!!

    Our friends Shari (Voltz) & Dawn (Conrad) are currently in Kentucky, visiting horse farms together. Rumour has it that they’ll try to see Uncle Mo……

    Thanks to Alys for the interesting responses, although re: question #2, I’ve always wondered why LE doesn’t ride the stallions regularly, as they do @ Three Chimneys. Kisses to my sweet Zenny, the rapidly-growing Z-12 and to all of you!!!! Love & hugs too!

  24. / Reply

    Hopefully someone asked about weaning, since baby Z is expected to be weaned in a day or two. I’d love to know details. What’s involved, how horses react, especially when its done in a controlled environment. And what is next for baby Z. Will he be seperated and who will Z be paired with.

    • / Reply

      Lizzie,

      I am afraid you have some of your facts confused.

      1) Baby Z is NOT expected to be weaned in a day or two. If LE weans him at 5 months that would be August. Rachael Alexandra’s colt who was born in January is RUMORED to be weaned in the next few days.

      2) Zenyatta has already been bred to Tapit. She is scanned 60 days in foal and due to deliver March/April 2013.

      • / Reply

        Follow-up

        Each farm has their own weaning procedures but ultimately Z12 will be put in with colts (no fillies) approximately his own age and level of development. Often a ‘baby sitter’ is used with a group of weanlings, an older and very tolerant gelding who will continue to teach the youngsters manners.

        Zenyatta will be paired up with mares who are on the same breeding/foaling schedule as she is, in hopes that when the time comes she will foal out in 2013 around the same time as her new girlfriends. Hopefully this will be at least one or two of the mares with whom she already shares a paddock.

        • Those old geldings have a big job to teach those
          Rowdy weanlings manners. Guessable man needs
          To take over to lay down the law to these rowdy
          Youngsters. I bet this is fun to watch after touchy feely
          Warm and protective mom gives up the job.

        • Oh I bet those geldings have a thing or two to
          Say when those weanlings try for a little suckle.
          They may need more that one gelding for the job.

        • Grade 1 winner Brass Hat, who retired last year, is a babysitter at his farm. He’s in charge of the yearlings. :-)

        • If any horse can teach those young ones some manners, it is Brass Hat. They tried to give him a job like Lava Man, but he kept biting the other horses who thought, mistakenly in BH’s opinion, that he was their pony. He was having none of that because he likes to be in charge.

        • Dear Max and Laura J,

          What a great job for Brass Hat, those yearling’s will keep him busy and those biting skills will devinately come in handy. I think he is going to run a
          TIGHT SHIP (PASTURE/PADDOCK). I would love to see these babies learning. It would be a HOOT !!!!

          I remember hearing about a horse learning to poney that was biting
          the racehorses, and did not hear the name, BRASS HAT it must have
          been.

          It is very funny to watch horses learn. As Samantha Siegel said on her HRTV interview, the really great horses are very smart, some are silly, LAVA MAN, some are not so bright, so are fun !!!

          We got an electric fences around each paddock at our new barn, all the horses were sooo funny. Some of them touched it and ran and never touched in again and some kept touching and touching and touching it and running away each time, thinking that it would go away. IT WAS SOOO FUNNY. AND OF COURSE NONE GOT HURT !!!

    • / Reply

      Rachel Alexandra’s colt is being weaned this week
      Or last week.

      12 Z is not due for weaning until August, 5 months.

  25. / Reply

    I have been fascinated by Zenyatta from the first time I saw her. She has such a unique personality, so entertaining,physically beautiful, so strong and fit. I am happy she was raced when she was ready, not when owners were ready. Race horses break down because they are exploited, and raced before they are mature enough. She was a sight to see in a race,coming from very last to first, and doing it with her pricked and pointing forward. Her physique with its deep chest area,muscular haunches, and body,showed she was born to race. Enjoy your life now Zenyatta, enjoy you off-spring. We have some champions ,from you, that will carry on your name. Love you Zenyatta!

    • / Reply

      Someday Z 12,13,14,15,16…’s Great grandsons and daughters will be racing and the announcers will say that horse is “From the Line of the Greatest race horse ever Zenyatta”. Most of us will not be here on earth to hear this. We will be with Z and other listening from above. Zenyatta’s legacy will carry on because of her babies. As long as Z is happy and healthy I hope she has a bunch. Share Z’s story with your children and grandchildren. Zenyatta is part of racing history and always will be. We are all lucky to have her. Thank you Ann and Jerry. Hugs to all.

        • I had to check. Yes I see that it is the Redneck Riviera. I have never been there. Maybe our Alabama members can tell us more about it.

      • / Reply

        “And here she comes! America’s third female Triple Crown winner and the sixteenth in history! She’s in front by five lengths, and pulling away! The royal family of racing has another superstar in it’s linage! From Zenyatta to Z12 to Z16 and now a great granddaughter of Zenyatta will win the Belmont and the Triple Crown!”

        And that concludes our coverage of the third female Tiple Crown winner in history. We will analyze this Belmont stakes later on in the show, but isn’t that something? The last three horses to sweep the TC are either children of Zenyatta or have her on the female side of their family. She was the one of the greatest racemares in history and now she has created one of the greatest female family lines in history. This might be the first time ever in the Sport of Kings that, especially in Z12’s case, that the female line will have made a stud’s career. And now this great granddaughter will have the credentials to only make this monarchy look even stronger. Zenyatta is looking down on her family and must be absolutely thrilled with their performances.

  28. / Reply

    If you have a good thought to pass along, we had to euthanize my old grey boy due to melanoma complications. He was 23, I had him for 22 years. He and I used to pony the young racehorses at the nursery when we were both much younger.

    Passing of an era.

    • / Reply

      I am so sorry for your loss. I love these champs. I rode an off track pony years ago. I miss him too, he always had my back.22 years,aww,lucky guy!

      Bless you, old grey boy! Thanks for keeping those young whipper snappers in line!

    • / Reply

      I am sorry for the loss of your good buddy. I am sure that his last years with you were the best for him.

    • / Reply

      Zenyen. I am very sorry for your loss. RIP Zenyen’s beloved grey boy, and keep watching over Zenyen from afar.

    • / Reply

      It is never easy to lose an old pal, whether it be animal or human. Good thoughts to you from California.

    • / Reply

      So sorry Zenyen! Tough go to lose a great love and friend for so much a part of your life. RIP Grey boy …..

    • / Reply

      The loss of an animal friend is a heartbreaking experience, and many thoughts are with you today Zenyen. If you’re still reading, I’m not sure you ever saw my thank you for the kind and detailed “translation” you provided when I couldn’t understand the post-Belmont “chart” so I’ll just say it again. The time you took to do that was really appreciated.
      Sandy

    • / Reply

      Zenyen, My condolences on the loss of your dear friend. I never thought about our four legged friends having to deal with melanoma, that’s so sad.

  29. / Reply

    Thank you to LE and Mosses for providing all this extra information. I so enjoy everything you do. Looking forward to more Q&A

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