Good Morning to all,
Yippee! As I mentioned yesterday, I had my first official veterinarian check-up here at the farm. This is done so they can get a baseline on me and get to know everything about me and how my body works. It is equivalent to you going for your regular check-up…just to be sure all is A-OK! Well, I am very happy to report that I am in FABULOUS SHAPE! Everything about me is just WONDERFUL! Great news! (I kinda’ knew this…but it is always great to have this confirmed.)
My feet were also checked…and I am doing very well BAREFOOT! Also good news! These are just the basic things that need to be done for me….just like you. The Dentist will be next…and I will keep you posted on that.
A woman working in our office, Selena, is about to have a baby. I think she is due on Friday…from what I’m hearing. Good luck, Selena! We will be thinking about you and wish you well!
Several of you had questions about ‘my having a baby’ in your comments. Hope the following information proves helpful to you. As we go along, I will explain more things to you about all of this, but for now, please consider this a starting point.
As you know, with humans, a baby is carried for approximately 9 months. For horses, the gestation period is approximately 11 months. Obviously, individual differences always do apply.
In our industry, the breeding season does not begin until mid-February ‘ish’ and lasts until late June ‘ish’. This depends on the individual farm, horse, and owner of the horse. This is a baseline.
Race horses basically have 2 birthdays. I was actually born on April 1, 2004. That is my real birthday and it is recorded on my official records. BUT…with race horses for racing purposes, ALL horses ‘celebrate’ a birthday on January 1st. This way…all 2 year olds will ‘technically be thought of as being a 3 year old’ on January 1st…no matter what date the horse was actually born. As of January 1st, I will ‘technically’ be thought of as a 7 year old…yet, I will really not be 7 until April 1st. (By the way, I just love my birthdate…April 1st. Dottie has a sister, Frannie, who is also born on this date. She calls us her April 1st Birthday EXACTA!)
So, when you go to the race track and see certain races restricted to an age group, this is how the horses fit into that category. For instance, the Kentucky Derby Trail and the Triple Crown is totally restricted to 3 year olds. The individual horses birth dates may vary from January — June, but they are all considered 3 year olds.
Same for the Kentucky Oaks for fillies…all for 3 year olds. Some may be born early in the year…others late…but they are all still considered to be 3. In the Racing Form, they give the MONTH / AGE for each horse. Perhaps when you are looking at the horse and his/her past performance charts in the FORM, this would be something to note as well. Have fun with it!
I’m off to play with Charles. (Several of you have asked, his full name. It is Charles Stewart William Campbell. He is a Broodmare Manager here at Lane’s End.)
Have a splendid day!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL!
Z
Samantha
<3 you Zenyatta!
Carolyn
Thanks a mill, Dottie, for educating us. Is our Queen still drinking aloe vera daily?
Mary McQuire
Thanks for the information and the update! I think you should write a series of children’s books about horses.
Dawn Deems
Happy to hear you checked out A-OK! I think you look fabulous!
Hugs and kisses from Ohio
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
You have always been in tip top shape! You are so gorgeous… I love your hips; wish mine were that nice LOL You got an A+ ~ just like on the race track!
Ahhhh the barefoot Queen! Love it! {{HUGS}} XO
Leslie Simis
Great to hear Zennie…can’t wait to find out who your baby daddy will be !!!!!!!!!!!! Love you !!
Teresa Drennen
Zenyatta, We human females prefer to call ourselves the age the year after our birthday instead of the Jan of the year we were born. Unlike you confident horses, we are a silly lot. Love the information. Keep it coming. :)
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Thank you for the updates, Dot-Zen. We’re learning alot here; when the time comes, we’d be very curious to know how a mate (Zenyatta seems too exalted to really have just a “mate” though, to us) will be/is chosen for her. Besides bloodlines, what about physical characteristics? Would a little itty bitty male be best for her towering beauty, to produce a foal kind of “in between?” Anyway, we just love reading these.
Jen D
My birthday is also April 1 and I love it too. People don’t usually forget. Glad to hear you are in tip-top shape and going nicely barefoot. :)
Pam Zacek,
Thank you for the update, I am happy all is well, and your bare foot, nothing, like almost being bare foot and pregnant, LOL, anyway, good to know, your in good health, have good feet, and the dentist is next to file away.. Keep up the great news and My best to the women, ready to have a baby, maybe it be healthy, and be recorded in her or his baby book, that the Queen of all horses was where her or his, mommy worked, How great is that.Have a great day tomorrow, also. HOPE YOU had fun, with Charles today, Love his name…
Anna
Have fun playing with Charles! I love you, Zenny!
Yvonne Splichal
Zenyatta, I look forward to your posts every day! I’m learning so much and am happy to hear that you are settling in nicely! It is wonderful that you have such caring people around you and also care about all of your adoring fans! Zenyatta, thanks for the updates!
Linda Deutsch
Great health news for Z!! Charles is sure a great guy and Z obviously loves him already. Very interesting facts about broodmares, etc. Thanks Dottie and crew!
Margaret
Hi Z. I want you to know I love coming by every afternoon and checking up on you. I may not say anything but I read your diary all the diary.
Z I want to thank you for the patience you showed all us silly 2 leggeds taking all the photos that last weekend. I got some wonderful pics. And I even got a hug from you two weeks before. My very own Z hug.
I hope all will be okay for you that first time you get turned loose. Just remember no matter how exciting it is to stay somewhat quiet. That way you’ll be able to stay out longer.
Have a good snooze tonight sweetheart.
Sharon
Lovely Z – I hope you’re out having fun in the snow right now!! Thanks for all the interesting updates. I’m so glad to hear that you’re in FABLOUS shape – no doubt about that! Keep educatin’ us novices – the more we know, the more we can appreciate how special you and all equines are. be well, keep munchin’ those carrots!
suew
Hi big girl! Well what do you know…I also have an April 1st. birthdate…it’s pretty unforgettable, isn’t it? I love your updates. And…I can’t wait to hear about your new suitor, when he’s chosen. I think your pregnancy will be very interesting for all of us. ;-)
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather clears for you soon so you can run in the paddock without a lead. Tell the gang (your lads) at LE we said Hi. I’d love to be the vet who checked you out, though. Bet he/she was in awe of you just like us.
sue
I think Charles has a crush on you, or is it the other way around? :) So glad you are so healthy, but I am not surprised. Look forward to these diary entries and learning more about you…Love you…Z….
Donna
I love it….off to play with Charles. You’re a lucky girl Zennie. And Charles is one lucky guy – the envy of thousands because he gets to play with Queen Z. I’m really glad our Queen is in top condition – of course her connections make sure she gets the best treatment and lots of love.
Dottie – you are the best for keeping up these updates. I agree that you could write children’s books. And I also liked the idea of selling CDs of the pix that John has of her through the years, and donating the proceeds to horse charities. Of course, it’s easy for us to say – you guys are the ones doing the work!!!!
Franci Nelson
I always get a year older Jan. 1st instead of my real birthdate which is July 8th. I don’t know why I think this way. Maybe in another life I was a horse. Might explain the appetite. Love the posts. I always smile when I read them. I know Dottie types them but in my heart of hearts I believe it is you. If I had a cute guy like Charles to walk me I know I would be out taking long walks everyday.
Vicki B.
Well, as for picking a male, like Mike said (paraphrasing) “None of them would be worthy”. Or my brother said, “Well, first one of them would have to catch her!”, and we know she’s the fastest, so good luck with that. I’m sure it doesn’t work quite like that, and we’ll be hearing more about it when the time is ripe.
Lori Koellner
ZENYATTA, I am so glad everything checked out well. Tell charles to give you a BIG HUG & KISS for me. Keep yourself nice and warm. I LOVE YOU BEAUTIFUL GIRL! Love Lori
Tru Talbott
We used to have a TB stallion named Fool’s Dilemma, because he was born on April 1st. As I was out riding him one day a little boy popped out of a house and asked me “What’s your HOrsie’s name?” I replied “Fool”. His face crumpled up and he said, sadly, “Why do you call your horsie a fool?” So when I told him about Fool’s birthday, his face lit up and he said “COOL”. And it was!
Leslie Bonnette
I am getting very excited to see a Zenyatta / A.P. Indy baby! Hint, hint!
Linda Shull
Love the daily briefs. Would love more photos.
Cheryl Heath
Zenyatta, you and Charles are very cute together….very sweet smile. Love learning about the breeding process and all. Your posts are great. Thanks so much. I look forward everyday to learning more and more.
Diane Bourgeois
So glad you checked out OK Big Z you are truly the best little Filly BIG should I say filly. Merry Christmas to you and Family I know what your drink of choice is have one for me!
Patricia
So glad to get these diary updates, and it’s a great way to educate those unfamiliar with what your routine is and will be there at Lanes End. We’re all waiting to hear who your consort will be for this year. I’m sure they’re lining up like on the TV bachelors on the “Bachelorette” show…
I know it’ll be an “arranged marriage” but I guess royalty does that a lot. You’d love my Arabian stallion, he’s very sweet and amorous, but I don’t think your courtiers would approve. Maybe you could elope.
Hmmm…. Zen, could you ask Dottie if there is an archive for the earlier Diary posts? I’ve missed some, and I haven’t been able to find them. I have really enjoyed reading the ones I got to on the day they went up.
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Zenyatta: Today I went online to the artist Fred Stone`s site — he painted you twice, but most of his work is of the guys, so it`s a big honor. Years ago, when my vintage maiden mare settled, someone gave me his painting, “Patience” ~ a foal is nibbling his dam`s halter and you can tell from her expression it`s not the first time. His portraits are lovely, and especially yours. That one I still have is quite old, but touching. “Love is space and time measured by the heart.” — M. Proust said. Stay happy, ‘Z’– so many people love you. Khc. PS: And thank Dottie. She`s good this.
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, Thank you for the updates, your interpretor has some great writing skills to enjoy as much as your photo’s. I can’t imagine the lucky stud who will be your mate and the gorgeous baby. Your own little one you’ll adore!
Hugs!
Jean Moore
Beautiful Zenyatta, Such good news that you are in tip top shape from head to toe (hoof). This transition period is going much better than I imagined, thanks to Dottie for keeping us so informed as to these progressive stages of farm living. Today I sent a Christmas card to you and requested that your LE team read the words I wrote to you. I also mailed a thank you card to John and Dottie and the rest of your California team for their loving care of you and taking time to share your life with those of us who also love you. One of my friends sent a Zenyatta cap to me as a Christmas gift(better than a trinket from Tiffany’s)and I am so happy to have it. So I gather birthday gifts are accepted twice each year from your explanation of your birthday– well, that’s how we girls have to think! MUCH LOVE FROM ME TO YOU