Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #3

Q:

What is Zenyatta and Baby Z’s daily routine at Lane’s End?

Haley Van Vleck

Lawrence, KS

A:Currently their routine is pretty simple—they are out in the evenings when the weather is cooler. They come in in the morning to get checked over. We check their eyes, take their temperature, check that he’s nursing and that they’re both happy and have no cuts or bumps from the night before. They get their food in the morning. 12Z is now three months of age so he gets feed of his own, and Zenyatta will have her feed after him. They stay in their stall during the day, where they have fans on them to keep them cool in this heat. They go out again around two o’clock in the afternoon and play all night!

Expert: Charles Campbell

See Charles’s response on video:

Q:

How long do Zenyatta & 12Z sleep, and do they sleep together at the same time? Also, is there anything Zenyatta doesn’t like?

Jan Stein

Cypress, TX

Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

A:In the mornings they do sleep together. 12Z sleeps most of the day when he’s in his stall, but when he’s out he’s always playing with his buddies and grazing with mom.

Zenyatta is a very easy going horse, but she does seriously dislike flies. We use a fly mask and fly spray to keep her happy.

Expert: Craig Andre de Villiers

Our Experts

Charles Campbell

Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from England, Charles has traveled the world working with horses. He has been the Broomare Manager at Lane’s End for four years, and he was with Zenyatta the night she foaled.

Craig Andre de Villiers

Mare Barn One Foreman, Lane’s End

Craig has been at Lane’s End for four years, working mostly within the Broodmare division. He grew up in South Africa on a game reserve and stud farm, and has been around animals his whole life—not just horses, but lions, elephants and everything in between!

Reader Interactions

746 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Woah! What cool questions! Thanks for the inside scoop on Prince and Queen Momma!!

    • / Reply

      I’m first today?? Wow, must be because Karma felt bad about my passing out from heat exhaustion yesterday!

      • / Reply

        Hey now. You better start behaving Pati. I hope you are feeling better today. Hang in there, next week will be in the 80s……ahhh.

        Thank you Lane’s End for the nice post.

        • I am. I got so dizzy and light headed riding Gus yesterday. (jumping Gus) I couldn’t catch my breath and I started having a hard time focusing. I wanted to do a few routines, so we only did white panel to quarter line twice and we were done. Gus practically ran out of the ring, and there was shade from the trees out there, but it was unbareable. For the time we were out there and the state of mind I was in, I did well in keeping my two-point form, and got through the course smoothly. I hosed down Gus and myself. We were both literally soaked in sweat. Horrible, but the barn does A group shows in 100+ degree heat. I don’t know how they get through it.

        • Pati. Take it easy in this heat and look after yourself. We do not want to have to rescue you. Hope you are okay now as well as Rescue Gus, Jumping Gus, Gypsy and Riata

        • @Max

          I will. Rescue Gus has been enjoying his swim in the pond he loves so much. He’s finding ways to be cool.

        • I am thrilled that rescue Gus has a swimming pond. Pati…behave and stay cool. Did Bubba ever give you an answer?
          I hope the shows have been cancelled for this weekend? The humidity with this heat is so dangerous now.
          If we can get thru the weekend,next week is looking much better.
          Give that sweet mare and foal a hug…I’m comin over one day!!!!!

        • Bubba has not said anything. I don’t know his thought process but it certainly does take long.

          I will give hugs to mare and baby! Hope you come soon so you can do so yourself!

      • / Reply

        I feel you.. I haven’t ridden in a couple weeks because I am very susceptible to heat exhaustion, myself – moreso than most people. I had to feed some horses and pick some fields a few times in the past week and even when I went to do that early in the morning when it wasn’t *as* hot, it was hot enough that I was at the edge of heat exhaustion very quickly..

        Take it easy – heat exhaustion and heat stroke are nothing to take lightly. Don’t ever push yourself to that point; if you feel yourself starting to become unfocused, nauseous, or start sweating profusely, it’s best to just stop what you’re doing and cool off ASAP.

        Been there, done that.. many, many times.. never gets better.

      • / Reply

        Pati,
        Living in Phoenix, we deal with super hot weather (over 110) during summer.
        News folks regularly interview doctors/health professionals who advise drinking plenty of water. Not soda, pop, coffee, tea-but plain water.
        Also say room temp water is better for body than cold or ice (still trying to convince myself of that)
        Phoenix Fire & Rescue had to rescue 7 hikers a day off our area mountains last week. The kind of overheating you experienced can be dangerous–especially while riding.
        Do take care of yourself. There is lots of good advice on the posts here.
        Hugs, Keta

        • My Aunt’s family lives in Phoenix. Or near it in Mesa. Lots of horses out there.

      • / Reply

        Pati, You sound like my grand daughter Victoria, she passes out in the heat too and so I hope she will be able to make it through her lesson tomorrow with falling off the horse.. I can’t believe the coincidences Pati, Vic rides a horse called Karma. I hope you remember to eat, Vic sometimes doesn’t.

        • Oops!! I should have said “without” falling. I akso told her yesterday that if she starts to feel lightheaded she should immediately sit down. Better to sit on the ground than black out and fall down.

        • Yes, he’s a big gentleman. He’s very kind though. It’s remarkable how calm he is too.

          @ Max

          Will you be going to BC?

      • / Reply

        Pati. I would love to see Rescue Gus in his pool. This is great. Glad that he is keeping cool. You too.

  2. / Reply

    Thank you for the wonderful updates on Zenyatta and 12Z…I call him “Magic” because like the song they played at Zenyatta’s first retirement “everything she does is magic”!

  3. / Reply

    Since Z is with foal again, how many times will she be expected to be bred? You know you’ve always heard of people having like 10 children and the mother seems to have been pregnant her whole adult life. Will Z’s fate be that? I know it’s a business and people are not, but I would think you would lay pasture fallow so not to run it out of nutrients. I hope she gets a break a time or two!

    Thank you.

    • / Reply

      Her body will tell us. :-)

      When the time comes for a break, she will not get pregnant on her own.

    • / Reply

      A common practice among breeders is two or three years in foal, one year off. Zenyatta is a young, healthy mare with the best care she could possibly get.. She shouldn’t need more frequent breaks than that.

      Some get more frequent breaks, some get less. Zenyatta will let the Mosses and her caretakers at Lane’s End when she’s had her last foal.

    • / Reply

      Also Zenny is passing on her genes to the TB gene pool, which is so very important.
      Horses have foals yearly in the wild as they are not like humans.

  5. / Reply

    Thanks Craig for answering my question, very interesting. And thanks LE for keeping us
    posted on Z and her boy. We truly appreciate it. 12Z looks so big & tall like his Mama.

  6. / Reply

    That was interesting about being out all night (curious to know if someone is with them or near them in case of an incident occurring) – love the Ask the Experts serious!

    • / Reply

      I imagine Lane’s End has surveillance or regular night checks. Most barns, both large and small, do have night checks to make sure everyone is doing okay regardless of whether they’re on nighttime turnout or regular daytime turnout.

  7. / Reply

    Hi Heidi – I think they do get breaks after a certain # of pregancies, but not sure how many they have before break time! :) It is probably different for each mare.

    Hopefully someone who is more of an expert can answer that one, because I’ve wondered myself.

    Sue

  8. / Reply

    Zenyatta is a healthy mare, and as long as she remains so she will probably be bred every year. However, over the next couple of years, her breedings will come later and later in the season because her foals will arrive later and later. Eventually, Probably the year after next, they will have to let her go until the next season or the foal will be born too late in the year. Mid to late June is usually the cut off time on breeding. You really don’t want a june or later foal. She will rest until the following February and be bred as early as possible to ensure she can produce 4 or 5 more foals before she gets another break. Unless of cource nature takes things in hand and she does not conceive or slips her foal. Not sure I like her breeding to Tapit, His offspring have not shown they can get over 9 furlongs in grade 1 company. It does, however give the foal early speed, that Zen just doesnt have.

  9. / Reply

    Thanks for the information. Your namesake was one of the best horses of all time. @Sue, president of Florida chapter of the Redneck Club-Will post a full roster next Tuesday. Today’s redneck jokes can be found at the end of the last blog.

  10. / Reply

    Good questions from Haley and Jan. It’s interesting to know what the daily routine is and the specifics of what they both do each day. Thanks to Charles. Looking forward to #4.

  11. / Reply

    Thanks, Charles and Craig, for answering questions about Zenny and 12Z. It’s always delightful to come here and get current “news” on these two.
    Thank goodness they have releif from this heat. It’s been awful for humans and animals.

  12. / Reply

    I love these questions and answers. How about this one…Charles or Craig, can I have your job. :-)

  13. / Reply

    I use a Cashel fly mask with a long nose and ears for my horse who is very sensitive to flies. That provides good protection for sensitive places. They make a breast cancer awareness one with PINK ears. Since my horse is a gelding, I figure pink ears would be a little too twee for him. He also has a collection of fly sheets with soft fine mesh and belly bands to keep the flies off his body as much as possible. I’m hoping Zenny gets to wear a fly sheet when it’s not too hot.

  14. / Reply

    Thanks for the updates on Zenyatta and Baby Z. I’m just curious, I haven’t seen anything on Zenatta’s pasture mate, Tasty. How did she do during foaling and what did she have?

    • / Reply

      Hi Gina….TT had a boy…..weeks after Z….she did not get into mommyhood and rejected her foal…he was placed with a nursemare whose foal had died…TT was turned out with a group of mares…I think she was bred to Unbridled Song but am not sure…we hope she will do better next yr…TT12 and his stepmom are reported to have bonded well and he is supposedly thriving

  15. / Reply

    I love these Qs&As. Very thoughtful questions from the Z’sters, Haley and Jan and complete and concise answers from the experts, Charles and Craig. I’ve wondered who the fellow was in some of the pics with Zenny and 12Z and now know he’s Craig.

    Lane’s End certainly has employees with interesting and varied experiences.

    I wonder who 12Z’s buddy is . How cute to see him in a picture with one of his peers. You sure can’t miss his ears.

    @Sandy(N.E. Ohio) From previous blog…. We’ve never been in any danger here from the fires. The lawns are a little parched from the high temps. Arapahoe Park can’t seem to catch a break with the weather. The temps. have been outrageously high, although they’ve held the races. This coming weekend is supposed to be very wet. Those races will be held, too, as long as there’s no lightening. I’m actually probably having a pity party for myself since I’ve only gone once this season. I want to be outside where the horses are, but suffer from that symptom called A G E and don’t deal well with the elements.

    @Shari V. I’m sure you had a wonderful time visiting all those horse farms in Kentucky. Hoping you will be able to share some of your experiences. How really special that you will be going to W. V. to watch Hansen run. Certainly hope you get to meet Dr. Hansen and “Pegasus” Hansen. Your students will be thrilled to hear about it.

    • / Reply

      Glad to know that you’re OK Marty. I didn’t think the fires were in your neck of the woods, but the news reports have been strangely devoid of maps, and I’ve just never gotten myself together to find a map of the fires on the internet (and remember, I have a worse case of A G E than you do!!). I also wondered who that is with Prince. Maybe if enough of us ask, somebody will see the question and respond.

      • / Reply

        Hi Sandy,
        Just am reading everyone’s comments and saw yours. Here is usually a good link to locate any US fires and track them. Here in NM, we’ve been having quite a few the past few years. Thankfully, this year, our new governor went to both big fires and got everyone organized. We’ve never seen fires so well managed like these. The link is http://www.inciweb.org

        • Yes, thank you, Elizabeth. So glad your governor was able to get things organized and the fires were well managed.

        • Thanks very much for the link Elizabeth. The number of fires “out there” is nothing short of staggering!! I guess there is no perfect place to live. We suffer from “lake effect snow” here, but that is nothing compared to dealing with hurricanes or these awful fires. I was just thinking about you because I came across the beautiful poem you wrote when “Prince” was born. Saved forever in my cache of great Z moments!

  16. / Reply

    Great questions and answers! Don’t you love how pampered they are? Hope everyone had a great 4th and a safe one!

  17. / Reply

    Kind of bizarre that she is kept in during the cool of the morning and then turned back out during the hottest part of the day.

    We always brought the mares and foals up at noon, rinsed them off and kept them under fans until about 6pm.

  18. / Reply

    Baby Z is his mother’s son. Very handsome with superb ears to hear everything. His pal is a looker too. He might be Spooky’s baby?

  19. / Reply

    Those ears, those wonderful big beautiful ears. Z12 has lost a lot of his baby look and is beginning to look like a teenager.

    Thanks for the questions and informative answers.

  21. / Reply

    I’d know Z12 anywhere…just look at those ears! He certainly is a good looking colt…thank-you Queen Z and Bernadini. You did good.

  22. / Reply

    Kisses to my Zenny and hugs to her big boy! Happy to see some familiar faces here. Hugs from steamy Montreal …. not that we’re complaining. The Jazz Festival is on full tilt with free concerts every night. Montreal is a GREAT summer city!!!! Hugs to all, Abigail

  23. / Reply

    Anyone know the name or little friend with baby Z? They are very cute together.
    Thanks Team Z and LE for the new Q&A today. Love you Big Z , baby Z and BBZ

    • / Reply

      No. Northern Dancer died many years ago. Possibly a descendant, though–lots of them out there.

    • / Reply

      Mary Lou. You may be right that the little foal with 12Z is Northern Dancer’s progeny. If he is the foal of Spooky Minister, Northern Dancer is Spooky’s great grand sire. The foal does have a resemblance to ND. Very cute.

    • / Reply

      Very possible.. Northern Dancer descendants are unfortunately a dime a dozen. I actually really dislike seeing that name in a horse’s pedigree, as he seems to be a major source of soft bones in thoroughbreds.

      • / Reply

        Kelli. 12Z has Northern Dancer in his pedigree as does Frankel and Black Caviar. They are all doing okay.

        • I actually mistyped. Northern Dancers are a dime a dozen but he’s not actually the horse I meant; I was thinking of Native Dancer. Fortunately, where Northern Dancer is, there is also Native Dancer to be found.

          Yes. Frankel and Black Caviar are doing fine. 12z is four months old and hasn’t been asked to do anything, so you can’t really bring him into this.

          Eight Belles, Pine Island, Landseer, and George Washington aren’t. Ruffian isn’t – breeding a Native Dancer mare to a stallion as unsound as Reviewer, how was anyone at all shocked when she broke down?

          I personally do not believe the multiple crosses to Native Dancer blood is not in some way related to the unsoundness of the modern thoroughbred.. I definitely believe there is something genetically going on with these horses that wasn’t going on with them 60-70 years ago. I’m not saying one or two crosses to that family is an automatic death sentence, because it clearly isn’t – I just personally do not like seeing it in a pedigree because from what I have seen, unsoundness is genetic and it seems a whole lot more common these days than it was quite some time ago.

  25. / Reply

    Thanks for the latest news on 12Z and Zenny. I wonder if 12Z tries to poke his muzzle into Mom’s feed. He’s getting to be such a big boy and his ears are so distinctive. I’m happy to know that Zenny wears her fly mask, I agree with her, I hate flies.
    Abigail, Are you going to the concerts? I hope you’re wearing your bug protection if you’re outside in this steamy weather.

  26. / Reply

    THANK YOU FOR THE CATCH UP. PLEASE MAKE REAL SURE THERE ARE NO CUTS OR BRUISES. I KNOW YOU GUYS TAKE GREAT CARE OF ALL OF YOUR TREASURES BUT ZENNY AND HER YOUNG MAN ARE SOOOO IMPORTANT. HE`S GOTTEN SO BIG. I CAN`T GET OVER IT. HE LOOKS LIKE HER BUT I`M SURE HE HAS SOME OF BERNIE THERE TOO. HE DEFINATELY HAS ZENNY`S EARS…LOL…WELL,EVERYONE STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE TO ZENNY AND HER YOUNG MAN…ALENE..:)))

  28. / Reply

    Thank you so much, Lane’s End staff, for remembering Z’s fans and keeping us updated. You have been so attentive to us and I can see you are very attentive to Z and Z12.

    • / Reply

      Shame.

      Maybe Kentucky Horse Park or Old Friends can make a replica of all her stall and decorate it with all the memorabilia John had up in Zenyatta’s stall at Hollywood Park.

      • / Reply

        Zenyen,

        Great idea! Hope KHP or OF will go for it. I think that would certainly increase visitors, and of course revenue.

    • / Reply

      Karen, What distressing news and it could happen later this year. I hope, hope, hope that nothing is done until I hopefully get to visit at BC time. Maybe John and Dottie can arrange for all the Dumplings to visit and pay respects, especially those of us who have never seen Zenny’s racing home.

      What is going on in the TB world these days????

    • / Reply

      What do they mean “formerly a thoroughbred racetrack”??? Aren’t there races going on there as we speak??? I can’t believe this, and as Brenda noted above, have SO been looking forward to seeing Barn 55 when we come to the BC. I know that is a totally selfish reaction, and having gotten that out of the way, what a tragedy this would be for all of those horses and humans connected with the track! Given that they are wrong about the “formerly” part, maybe they are wrong about the whole thing!

      • / Reply

        I wouldn’t worry about that. In my opinion, there is no way that the development can move that fast. Hollywooid Park has a fall meet coming up after the BC.

    • / Reply

      I hope those apartments crash and burn as a complete and total failure. We all know that it won’t be the backstretch workers and others who work on the track that will be buying those homes. Watch, within a year of those homes being built, they will be moving LAX down a few miles because it will be too loud for “gentile” ears. The almighty dollar is sickening.

    • / Reply

      I find it hard to believe that there are that many people who would want to live in the flight path for LAX or in an area which is, frankly, depressed.

  30. / Reply

    Love the updates. Thank you , LE! I’m betting the makers of fly spray are reaping bountiful profits this summer. Ugh!

    @Terry C., GP–left you a message att the end of the previous blog. Your last 3 redneck comments reached a crescendo.

    Can’t wait to hear all the details about Shari V. and Dawn C.’s trip.

    Hugs to all in this weird, out-of-control weather, Also, please be careful in whatever weather is in your part of the country. That heat is dangerous.

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