Q:
What is it like to have Zenyatta at Lane’s End? How is she different than other horses at the farm?
Cassandra Gregory
Manitou Springs, CO
A:I started hearing rumblings that the Mosses were sending Zenyatta to Lane’s End shortly before the Breeders’ Cup 2010, and we had some staff meetings here at the farm about it. I’d been told that she had a huge following, and obviously i had admired her through the years in racing, but I don’t think anything that I knew about her then would have prepared me for where we are now, a couple years later, my experience with her, and what she means to so many people.
I remember she flew in on a plane to Bluegrass Field and was vanned over to Keenland on December 5th. I guess I should have gotten an idea about how it was going to be that day, because there were about four or five hundred people standing out in the freezing cold and rain and snow to watch her arrival. She didn’t disappoint; John Shirreffs came in with her and walked her around the walking ring at Keenland, and she was admired and photographed by everyone that was there. Everyone was genuinely enthralled by how magnificent she looked.
Again, I should have thought then, should have prepared myself… You always want to say that when we get her here, we’ve got to treat her just like every other mare. That works pretty well when you’re doing repro work on her, you have the blacksmith here trimming her, or you’re vaccinating her—you do treat her like every other mare. We have lots of nice mares here, and over the years we’ve had champions and terrific mares, but I must say that we’ve never had a thoroughbred stallion or mare that has the following of Zenyatta. Everybody told me that, but I had to learn it for myself.
Just being around her every day and being able to drive by her paddock, and listen to all the people that call in here and ask questions about her and follow her on the website… she’s definitely a rock star, no doubt about that.
The Mosses have been kind enough to let us do so many charitable things with her, be it selling halters or auctioning off visits, raising money for all kinds of different things. The last of which was some storm relief work that she did. It was their idea to have her here and to share with the horse community, and we have to sort out how we balance that. I know everybody doesn’t get what they want, but we try to be fair about it, understanding that she comes first. There are times of the year where you can come see her, and there are times of the year where you can’t come see her.
We see her every day and she never ceases to amaze us with the stuff she does, and she’s just different from other horses in a lot of different ways. Her feel for humans is totally different. We have lots of kind, quiet mares, but she’s thoughtful. I don’t think there’s any chance she’d ever bite anybody or kick anybody, and I think it was like that on the racetrack as well, from what I’ve heard.
Certainly, she keeps us on our toes here. We feel privileged to be some small part of her development, and we look forward to seeing her live out a long healthy life here and produce, hopefully, somebody that can keep up with her.
Note about visiting Zenyatta:
We understand the desire of many to visit Zenyatta at Lane’s End Farm. Currently, visits with Zenyatta are not available to the public. If the policy changes, the fans will be the first to know.
Our Expert
Farm Manager, Lane’s End
Michael H Cline is the Manager of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky. He has held that position for 33 years and he played a key role in the design and development of the farm from the time Mr. Farish first purchased the land in the late 1970’s.
Mike is a local having graduated from Woodford County High School and attended the University of Kentucky. He is the proud father to two sons, John and Chad and one grandson, Charlie.
Mike’s family has been involved in the Thoroughbred industry beginning with his father John Cline, who managed Haven Hill Farm for Herb Stevens and his brother, Pete is the Manager of Shawnee Farm in Kentucky. Prior to his employment at Lane’s End, Mike was Manager at Big Sink Farm in Versailles.
Keta
What’s happening with Paynter–Thurs Aug 30
I am trying not to overthink this, but I am concerned
There was a tweet by Ahmed Zayat this morning saying that
Paynter did not have a good night.
A. Zayat said that he was driving to the facility today and
would provide an update this afternoon.
When I get further info, I will share.
Keta
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Keta:
Don’t like the sound of that. Please let us know if you learn anything on his condition. Hugs, JB
HeidiK (Vallejo, Ca) aka DinkyDiva
Yes, please, if you get anymore info, do share! I think that we’re all worried about Paynter’s health. I hope above hope that he can make it through this.
Keta
Justin Zayat did a series of tweet updating the visit to Paynter. Thurs. Aug. 30th
this was dictated byAhmed Zayat my dad as he is driving.
We are doing this for his fans
So again next 24 hours are critical that this nightmare scenario doesn’t happen. I am very comforted that the best vets and equine Care from all over the country so please #pray
Our main concern is that his white blood cells go up so the infection and bacteria that are now in his Colon and intestines don’t travel through his bloodstream and infect other organs. And his body becomes septic. If that happens that is the End of it.
So again next 24 hours are critical that this nightmare scenario doesn’t happen. I am very comforted that the best vets and equine Care from all over the country so please #pray
As we were petting and kissing him. He started looking at us with his sad eye kind of saying I know you are here for me. Justin tried to feed Him when we first got in an he refused. After 2 hours he rubbed against Justin and was ready to eat.
As you would expect his appetite Been horrible. So he started eating fresh grass from benjamins hand. As time went on. He for the first time since Monday he went to his hay
Bin and dr. Laura was very happy since it was his first time eating hay since Monday.
She had been trying to give him treats he didn’t want.
Hope we gave him the love and care and encouragement to do that.
With all your good wishes and prayers we will pull through that
Positive side. His feet are perfect no discomfort at all. He is in critical condition the next 24 hours are crucial. He needs to fight.
He has been an unbelievable patient. Full of class and very easy to work with. He looked sad to me and depressed. I can feel his body temp And how high it is. When I was touching him. His head was low down. Totally heartbreaking. I can see Benjamin totally tearing and trying
Have been there. Dr. Laura Javsicas. You can tell that she genuinely cares. She warned us that he lost around 100+ pounds since Monday.
We are driving back from Saratoga. Tough day. Very sad. We are very emotional. Our only console and comfort pic.twitter.com/c0r8LYyH
This was the First Tweet
We are still with paynter in his stall. It will be a 3 hour drive back home. Will update on the drive back
Jean Friedman
Would you share with us some of the remarkable things she does that distinguish her from other horses? ex: unusual behaviors, showing understanding and intelligence…that surprises you and others? Jean.