Happy Tuesday!
YEAH…THANK YOU TOM AND JOHNNY!
I am so busy here with my new friends. Each day I am feeling more and more confident in my new surroundings and I get to stay outside longer and do a bit more. The lads here are getting me ready to be ‘free’ in the paddock soon. Each day, we are making headway towards this goal! It is exciting! I’ll keep you posted when it happens.
This morning a helicopter flew overhead while I was outside…and I did not even blink. I am used to BIG AIRPLANES flying above me. They flew in and out of Los Angeles International Airport all of the time while I’d be outside grazing at Barn 55. So this was a very normal occurrence for me!
Several of you have asked questions about MY SHOES. So I asked Dottie if we could give you an explanation about this to help everyone have a basic understanding of the process. She and I consulted with John so you would have the proper information.
When I left the farm and went to the Keeneland Sale as a yearling, I had on what is called TRAINING PLATES. These are shoes made of steel. They are a heavier, larger type shoe that is used to help a horse do basic training. (I also wore them at Jeanne Mayberry’s farm when I was there as a yearling and a newly turned 2 year old.) They handle the wear and tear of basic training very well…especially in the early stages. A thoroughbred race horse normally gets new shoes one time per month. Of course, individual differences do apply…this is just a baseline.
When racing, John would have me use ALUMINUM SHOES. This is a lighter-weight type of shoe and it can be tapered to a horse’s foot. Tom Halpenny was my blacksmith while racing. He is a lovely Irish gentleman who has worked in this field and been around many very accomplished race horses his entire life. Tom would work with John on my feet…and they would constantly be reviewing how my shoes would be customized just for my needs. This is a real skill and a blacksmith is extremely important to a horse!
After my last race, John had Tom take off my Aluminum Shoes (the ones I wore in the Breeders’ Cup Classic)…and put Training Plates (Steel shoes) on me. As I was still at the barn and doing some light exercise each day on the training track, the steel shoes were the best ones for my feet. They were perfect for this stage of my day to day activity. Additionally, they were another baby-step in getting me ready for farm life. I wore them to KY last week.
After a couple days at the farm, last Thursday to be precise, my shoes were taken off. NOW…are you ready for this…my blacksmith here at Lane’s End is the same person who took care of my feet years ago when I lived in Kentucky! His name is Johnny Collins. He is the same man who put on my shoes when I went to the Keeneland Sale in September, 2005! He took care of my feet when I was a little girl! Now, here he is taking off my shoes at the farm several years later. This is absolutely adorable! Johnny told me he’d been keeping track of me and all of my progress since then! It was so great to touch base with him, my first blacksmith, after all of these years! We had a blast sharing all of the FUN times since we last saw each other!
Now, I’m BAREFOOT (no shoes)…which is great for a horse at the farm. You are outside playing in the field, thus, no shoe issues/problems can develop! It is very safe! That is why I commented the snow felt so good beneath my feet…no shoes! It is fun! From this point forward, Lane’s End and Johnny will monitor my feet. My darling ’4 hooves’ will be constantly checked…and ‘trimmed’ as needed. FYI—-Trimming a horse’s feet…is like you trimming your nails and keeping them properly groomed and cared for as needed. The objective of ‘trimming’ is to keep the horse’s feet nice and healthy!
I hope this information is helpful.
Now…HOW CUTE IS THIS! Johnny is back taking care of MY FEET! I am still smiling about this. Isn’t it amazing how so many things in life go FULL-CIRCLE! I am so fortunate!
With love,
Hugs to ALL!
Z
Samantha, Lilly & Peanut
We think it’s great for you to be barefoot Z, we get to be barefoot all winter, then in the Spring Dumbo says we got to have shoes so we can work.
Colleen
Dearest Z,
Thank you for all these lovely updates. I look forward to them everyday when I get home from work! I just adore you!!
Kathleen Marsh
Its good to hear you got your shoes off. I really enjoyed your video. Your looked so good. I also happened upon the Blood Horse video of your dad, Street Cry. What a cool horse he is! (But you are much better looking).
Linda B
Good Night Sweet Girl
jeanie langford
Glad you are doing well. Still not sure that this is what you really want, but we will see. Keep us posted. Love you big girl.
Jenna
NIghty night, sweet lady.
Paula Higgins
Really interesting post Zenny/Dottie. Thanks to John for the shoe explanation. There is so much to learn about horses and their care. This blog has been pretty educational!
As for the actual act of breeding her, it may not be candles, music and moonlight, but that’s o.k. As long as it is safe, I think we can live with it.
myrna miller
im love the idea of showing my love for zenyatta by making a donation to a horse resue group to help other horses. I’m sure zeny has all the stuff she needs, and this kind of a donation would make her so happy as she is such a sensitive soul and loves everyone. especially other horses. perhaps i’ll send zeny a xmas card to tell her how much i love her and of my donation. wouldn’t it be wonderful if many of us did the same thing.
Karen
Oh, how neat is that! Thank you for all the information. I’m learning a lot reading these chats.
Mark
I love all of the post. like everyone I am a big fan!!!!!!!!!!
Sally Blank
That was really a very interesting explanation. I love being without my shoes when I am in my house and sometimes out on my grass. I think I know how you feel Z!! love & a kiss
Ann W. Cates
This is great! Stay barefoot. But don’t get married for a month or two. Or three.
Irene Caty
I saw you danceing in the snow Zenyatta. I loved it. Keep on danceing. Now that you don’t wear shoes you should really be able to boogie. I’m glad the snow dont keep you down. You seem to be adjusting well and thats good. I will be watching all your posts to see how you are doing day by day. God Bless you dear Zenyatta and I love you forever.
Chris H
With each video you have looked more and more relaxed — won’t be long and you’ll be running as fast as the wind in an open field. My horses love it. They are also barefoot right now, but come spring, new shoes! They get shod or trimmed every 6 weeks (sometimes 8 weeks in the winter since their hooves don’t grow as fast). A good farrier is one of the most important people to a horse. So glad that you reconnected with an old friend.
Robin
MANY THANKS to Dottie and John for keeping everyone up to date. I was wondering if she would start to go without shoes. If you are having a bad day, just find the TVG montage of her 19 wins on YouTube. AMAZING HEART FROM A ONE OF A KIND MARE. We love you, Z, and we hope the folks at Lane’s End know the magnitude of their work. She is WAY MORE than just another expensive racehorse. Z HAS LIFTED UP SO MANY, JUST LIKE SECRETARIAT DID IN HIS TIME.
Reb
Love hearing about shoes…very interesting :)
Robin
Z, that is awesome to have an old friend working on your pretty feet again! You ARE one lucky girl. So happy that you are settling in. Sure miss u here in Cali. Love u Queen Z! Stay warm and safe!! Muah!! XOXO
Z4ever-- windsor, ontario
Wow. I’m hooked on these posts–not just updates on Zenyatta and her people but everyone’s replies. What a great idea to donate to racing retirees and horses that need TLC but wouldn’t it be special to do this through a special Z fund!
Kendra Bliss
Well, Zenny I am so glad people there are taking such good care of you. It is so nice that we are kept up to date on how our queen
is doing.
LaurieK
Barefoot in the snow? That’s hardcore, Zenny. Hardcore. You are doing it like a real California girl: just ignore the bad weather, pretend it’s not there, and sooner or later it will go away. XD
Kendra Bliss
hey Zenyatta have you seen any boys ( horses)
that you like yet?
Kathryn Cogswell
When Jim [above] writes he ‘hates everyone who is doing this to you (Zenyatta),’ others who also love her, bring something else to the table. Loving this great big girl, and with all good wishes for her as a place to start, there is also something to learn. Someone said that people, when they deepen into their hearts, don’t change their god — they change themselves. With more insight comes more wisdom, more understanding, forgiveness we did not count on to open possibilities not yet imagined. ~ It IS troubling to think of her, when she’s so fine, facing something neither we nor she may understand. Things often seem inexplicable; events, even plans, take place, and it`s not always clear the way to interpret or unravel them. ~ But John Shirreffs has expressed gratitude for all that her past generations led Zenyatta to become; that was by way of breeding. Seeking the strand within her being mated to enhance Thoroughbred stock is not just an experiment in greed and cruelty, but of searching for the truest qualities in these exquisite creatures, to make them sounder, stronger, not merely faster, but better able to thrive with stamina and in good health. ~ Maybe some history in our experience makes seeing clearly difficult. Maybe there is a first time for becoming aware of those like Zenyatta`s people, which offers an opportunity for trust not offered before. They are the real deal, if such exists at all; and what would have been Zenyatta`s fate if they had not been in her life? Steve Willard, genuinely a fine horseman, has stated that, because she was such a disconnected, powerful filly with a willful mind of her own, no one but John would have avoided brutality to control and coerce her; he wanted a better way for her, one taking time and patience — and love; everyone working with the Mosses was committed to easing her into her training that way. She carries herself with dignity now because of how she`s been treated, and more and more we can be grateful for their choices with every new insight into her life. Perhaps with time, we will see more clearly into all we question now.
mars
Julie really said it. “Here we are watching a video of a horse nibbling grass and grinning from ear to ear.” I am going to sleep like a contented baby tonight. What a wonderful sight.
Jackie
Hello Queen “Z” how nice it must be to have so many people caring for you! Hope your enjoying the snow. It can get mighty cold on your feet. Hope they are protected!
I enjoy hearing about all the new things and people in your day to day life. I feel as I am a part of your day. Can’t wait to read your posts. I am so apprecitive for the updates! (Thanks Dottie and those at Lane’s End)
Hugs and Kisses!
Vicki B.
I like the education in Zenyatta’s horse care, I’m receiving here — given I would know zip otherwise, and likely worry, and imagine whatever. Thanks!
Jo
Zennny there they. Go talking about us al going barefoot in Kentucky it’s fun ya know!
Kim Noble
Really happy that an old friend came back into your life and that we are getting to know how your life is changing. I feel better when I know exactly what is going on with you and a big thank you to Dottie for the explanations.
Bonnie MacRaith
Sweet Dreams Zenyatta!
Jan Glover from Georgia
Hi Big Girl!! It’s great to hear from you!! Glad you are enjoying being in Kentucky! I watched a video today of you enjoying a nice outing and grazing for grass in the snow. snow cones? lol! That’s great that you and Johnny had a blast talking about old times and your fabulous racing career. I’m sure he’ll take great care of your hooves!! Enjoy walking around barefoot on the snow, and please stay warm and cozy!!! Hugs and kisses!!!
Megan
All great information.So glad Zenyatta is enjoying her new life.Must be nice to get a horse manicure:)you deserve to be pampered girl.So exciting you met up with your first blacksmith how cool was that?Love you girl.Thanks for the posts as always.