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.
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
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.
Laura Sanchez
I’m delighted to hear that Lane’s End has an employee whose job it is to keep clients informed about their horses. What a wonderful sort of job! And thank you for this very interesting set of posts. We miss Dottie, of course, in her role as helping Zenyatta complete her diary. But we know that Zenyatta is very happy in her role as Broodmare of the Year Every Year. I hope you’ll think of interesting sorts of “life on the farm” posts to give us on the odd occasion. Thank you very much, Alys. Have a lovely June day!
signofthetimes
I think Zenny is at “peak fighting weight”. Those of you who are only used to looking at peak and fit race horses. Horses who are not competing, look much like Zenny and she is a big girl so she is going to be larger in size.
She keeps herself fit running around after baby Z, as he taunts her and runs to the
other side of the paddock knowing she will run after him to keep him safe.
Thanks for the information Lanes end.
Linda Shull
At what point is the foal weened from the Mother?
signofthetimes
If you go back and listen to the show Lanes End did for Bloodhorse on Zenyatta’s delivery.
Charles said Lanes End weans at 5 months.
Taco is going to be weaned this week and he was foaled January 22, 5 weeks.
PatB from NM
Taco?
Pati- Prince Z TC 2015
Nickname for Rachel’s colt
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Dear Linda Shull,
I am looking for the link to the web cast HRTV did with Lanes End regarding
Zenyatta’s foaling. Lots of great information.
Gloria
Thanks for the info. This is a learning experience for someone like me. I only know about horse racing, but I love reading about Zenyatta! Excited to read more from the experts!!
Cynthia H./ 12th ♥
Thank you very much, Alys. This is a great feature, and is much appreciated.
Terry Crow GP
Cynthia-Good to see you posting. We had a nice discussion about J. O. Tobin recently.
Ann
I know it’s hard for you Cali folk to say it, but it is T. O. Tobin( MD Bred ).
Just funnin around. Love all these greats , no matter where they came from!!!!
Ann
J. O…..it’s the heat!!!!
Perky Green
As always informitable , You do a good job out there Lanes End. Many thanks
Shannon From Cool, CA
Z looks terrific and so does her colt. You all do a fabulous job with the horses in your care.
Marty
Great questions!!!! Really informative. I’m glad to see that Zenny and baby Z are doing well. Lane’s End is such a wonderful place and all we Zenny fans appreciate all the info that they provide. Have a great day everyone!!!
Stephanie in San Diego
Alys, Thanks for the great information. My Question is: How long after weaning do the babies get sent out to various training centers for the next step? Will Z-12 (z’ster) be heading to Ocala, like his Mom did? Thank You…and have a great day:)
Margaret
Stephanie
In Prince’s case he’ll stay at LE’s til he’s ready for training. That will probably be Sept or Nov NEXT YEAR. So for the time being he’ll just be a little wise guy! Racing and playing with friends.
Right now all LE’s end is worried about is teaching him manners. Like holding his feet up so the farrier can trim his hooves. Learning how to be groomed. Loading and unloading into a van. Simple things that down the road will make life much simpler for whoever ends up training him.
And no until he goes off for training no one will ride him.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Thanks Margaret.
Training does not begin until they are a year old, which won’t be until next
March 2013. He gets to also learn his herd skills, dominance and submissive
gestures and how to get along with other horses and humans as he grows.
Horses need really good ground manners so they do not unintentionally
harm their humans.
Richard
Thank you for the great Q @ A.
Maryp (New York)
Thank you Alys. I am sure there are many more questions to address. This is so informative for those of us who have no knowledge or experience. It is truly a special service offered to us by you at Lane’s End.
Sophia (Lexington)
Love the article!Look forward to learning more!
Horselover
I’m sorry but this is such a shame. Being a broodmare is no life for a healthy horse like Zenyatta, I can’t help but feel sorry for her she was and still could have been an amazing athlete. Ok maybe she was done with racing or maybe not, maybe her owners gave up on her too quickly maybe she had a bad day we all do. But the owners should be ashamed of themselves being a broodmare is a crappy life. How would you like to be pregnant on and off for the rest of your life? They could have sold her to someone who could turn her into something else. Like a jumper or a dressage horse. And the owners still would make some money because we all know that’s all they want and that they don’t actually care about their horse. She would have been amazing at both because she’s an athlete. But we’ll never know because all anyone ever thinks about is money, money, money. And now she’s being wasted as a broodmare. I just feel really bad for Zenyatta she’s such a good looking, athletic, sweet looking horse and she didn’t deserve a crappy life like this. I know you’re thinking this person is crazy, she’s just a horse and you maybe right but horses have feelings too. And just because Zenyatta looks happy being a mom doesn’t mean she is.
Sandy (Colorado)
Have you seen the photos on this website? You’re telling us this is a horse that isn’t loved?
https://staging.zenyatta.com/z_photo/2012-celebrations
Loreebeee
So you think that a dressage horse is happy? Learning to ride circle after circle after circle cranked to the hilt in a “Frame”? Maybe some Rollkur would make her happy? You think that hunters/jumpers are thrilled? Blown tendons and all?
Life as a broodmare is her reward for her life as a racehorse. You DO realize that the feral horses in this country raise foal after foal, after foal year after year, right?
Roberta
The dressage horses in my barn are all loved and happy and receive the best of care from their owners.
But in response to the original question, horses don’t lie. If a horse looks happy, he or she IS happy. And the reverse is always true too. And I am sure that the Mosses will not breed her if at any time there is any risk to her health or happiness. It is abundantly clear that they love her and will do the best for her. And it is also quite clear that she loves them.
Pati- Prince Z TC 2015
To say all the Mosses care about is money is ignorant and unfair! Zenyatta has better treatement and more visitors than all of us combined! You are basing your assumption off of your own reservation about Z being a broodmare. If she hated being a broodmare, she would kick the stallion trying to breed her like there is no tomorrow and she would have abandoned her foal. But she didn’t! Her coat glows and she still has that spring in her step that we all recognize. “Wasted as a broodmare” is a far fetch from what is actually happening. A horses ears and how she acts around her colt is a good gage to how happy she is, and based on that, Zenyatta is thrilled with life. You are calling the wrong people greedy, and that too, is a fact.
Ann
Keep Manhattan, just give me this crappy life. Right Zenny!
What’s crappy? Crappy riders ,ruining great horses ,because they think they are great riders.
Oh, and she is NOT JUST A HORSE….she is ZENYATTA! The best MOM ever!
Ann
I’m sorry. I had just watched a rider crash an OTTB into the jumps. She was riding him,w/out permission. Now, 3 months of training,trust, and spirit rebuilding must be regained.
Zenny, you are in the best possible place. Your owners love you,your caretakers love you and your spirit has never been broken. This by far is your biggest accomplishment, thanks to your great owners,trainers,riders and team.
Thanks Team Z for all you share!
JJ from MN
How dare you call the Moss greedy and all they think about is the Money. They love Zenyatta with all there hearts. If they did not love why would they fly across this country just to be with her on mother and father day. I don’t know to many people in the racing or horse business you fly across this country just to see there horse. To think that the Moss would sell her would be one of the worse things to happen to her. She would be bought for millions by another breeding farm where she could be treated worse or better yet she would probably end up in Japan, used then sold to a slaughter house. As far as making money off her foals i doubt any will be sold. So there taking a gambe because none of her foals could turn out to be racers. Even if sold I’m sure the Moss will keep a close eye on all her foals to make sure they are taken care of and buy them back if need be. The Moss love there horses.
JJfromMN
p.s The once sold a horse at actiun for breeding duty. They found out the horse was being used for racing and baught him back and retired him to old freinds. So please get your facts straight the Moss love and care for all of there horses good or bad.
Debra
You arrived from what planet?
Bronwyn
I wish I had Z’s life! Everyone loving on you, you get frequent turn out, people are taking care of you and you get cute babies to play with and nurture. The Moss’s are people to be looked up to in the Thoroughbred industry – waiting to start Z’s racing career until she showed she was ready (not even startingher career until she was almost 4). And look how she repaid them – 19/20 victories and only lost the one by a nose! What an incredible horse and incredible connections. Many owners, trainers and jockeys should take note. This mare is too beloved by her owners and the public to sell to someone to make a jumper out of her. Z has the life – too bad more horses don’t have connections like hers!
Jean
Zenyatta didn’t loose that race, Mike Smith did.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Actually Jean,
If you have heard Mike Smith’s analysis of the BCC 2010.
Zenny was confused and not in the race at all until the first
turn. She is a slow starter and those fast boys got away from
her so fast she did not even know she was in the race.
When she got up to them they were going to fast they kicked
dirt in her face so fast, hard and in such large amount that she
had a very hard time navigating through all of it with her eyes almost closed. He had to sit a wait for her to pull herself together before he could move forward.
If you have ever ridden a horse that is learning something or having difficulty or can’t see, as a rider you have to sit and wait until they see
what they need to see, feel balanced enough in what they are doing to move forward in a collected, together manner. If you attempt as a rider
to push a horse through things when they are not comfortable you risk
an accident and with her going to fast and among all those boys someone human or equine could have been seriously injured. MIKE SMITH RODE THE RIGHT RACE FOR THE RIGHT TIME.
So MIKE SMITH SAT, until she pulled herself together and he could
start riding her.
Those boys gave her a run for her money, and any other mare without her heart, courage, stamina would have long given up. SHE DID NOT AND SHE LOST VALIENTLY.
Terry Crow GP
signofthetimes-You have put the circumstances surrounding the 2010 BCC in perspective better than anything else I have read. Churchill Downs is a quirky track not liked by all that many horses. She was running at night for the first time and almost overcame all. Bad ride by Smith? If you want an example of a bad ride, check out Eric Guerin’s ride on Native Dancer in the Kentucky Derby. THAT was a bad ride. ND only lost one race in his career. Z didn’t lose she just ran out of real estate. if you look at the film closely, it is apparent that she didn’t think she had lost. She was headed towards the winner’s circle.
Max
Terry Crow. I agree with Z.
PatB from NM
Z did not have “one bad day.” In all her races she was magnificent.
PatB from NM
If Z wants to jump and dance, she can–to the tune of her own music. I’d rather not have her legs interfered with to teach the same old maneuvers.
Cindy
SERIOUSLY?? Zenyatta has a “crappy” life as a broodmare?? It’s obvious you know nothing about race horses and breeding. Sold as a jumper, where she could get injured?? Wow, your ignorance is overwhelming…..
Sue Fredrick Co-P WI Chapt.
Horselover,
Yikes, what an argument! “Just because a horse looks happy being a broodmare doesn’t mean she is!’ How do YOU gage that she ISN’T? Are you a mind reader? Horses speak to us with their actions and her actions quite clearly tell how truly happy she is. I have never seen her pin her ears or try to kick or bite, even wringing her tail tells a tale. LE is topnotch, internationally known and respected, with the best knowledgeable caregivers anywhere! THEY LOVE HORSES!
As to showing her in dressage, we showed our horse in dressage and it is very difficult and hard on their joints and muscles. Don’t get me wrong I respect the discipline very much, but it is just as tough on horses as racing in different ways.
I get goosebumps every time I see her face and expression, never have I seen a horse who looks so truly happy. Just go and look at the video of the day they turned her loose at LE the first time……it brings tears to my eyes……..this is a HAPPY, HAPPY horse.
Hope you rethink your opinion!
Terry Crow GP
Sue-All I can say is that I wish the Mosses owned me.
Zenyen
Wow are you selfish.
tony
Zenny is exactly where she should be at this time in her life. Enjoying a great life and LE and being a mother. She looks happy, healthy and relaxed.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
One big issue you forget to mention Horselover is that Zenyatta is very happy with her life at Lanes Ends, she enjoys having babies, and all of the new and old people in
her life.
Keeping a horse happy is the most important task for us HUMANS !!!!
suew
horselover, are your happy? You threw a bone and several of us jumped on it. YOU know how happy and cared for Zenny is and always will be.
After years of hard work and little freedom she is finally living the good life and … as a horse lover YOU certainly know better. Have a good day.
HeidiK (Vallejo,Ca)
Horselover. I’m not sure what part of the world you came from but, to say that the Moss’s have not treated Zenny with all the LOVE, RESPECT for one of the Greatest Race Mares to step on a track, then, well, maybe you should go and look at the pictures and read some stories and articles. You are misinformed.
As a collective group, we have learned so much from first the Diary, now the blog and forum. Being a pampered and loved broodmare is a life of luxury and she’s in the best spot she and us could ever hope for.
To say that the Moss’s are money hungry? WHat?? You really don’t believe that do you? Do you understand how much Zenny is woth? Or, how much the Prince is worth? Mark my words, they do not need the Money! They love their horses and yes, some are sold but, Zenny will NEVER change hands and be sold. They love her more than words can say.
Now, if you do go and check out the albums and still say that you don’t think she’s a Happy and Proud Momma well, I don’t know what else to say to you. Except, that I feel sorry that you can’t enjoy what the Moss’s have provided us FANS with! It’s a shame.
Jennifer Adelman
I think the retirement of Zenyatta is of her best interest not of a greedy money decision. For one she raced 21 races and performed so well and nothing else to prove. Now at this time she is able to be just a horse and roll in the mud and relax as she deserves. That is the most humane treatment for a racehorse. How can you think that continuing racing is good for her? You read of breakdowns everyday , young and old beautiful TB’s.. She retired with no injuries and to relish motherhood!!! She deserves this life and earned it many times over
!
sharoninseattle
thanks so much, Lane’s End, for the update on Zenyatta –
Dylan
Very informative, and interesting, thank you for the information.
Lisa B./Escondido, CA
Thanks so very much, Alys. This feature is Awesome! Very imformative.
Molly
I would love to see Zenyatta have 2 more foals then spend the rest of her days with Ann. Zenny always seems so happy with her family and you can tell that Ann misses her a lot.
darlene
thank you for the great info about Zen and Z12 and answering some of the people’s questions about her life
Nancy Osmundsen
Please! Zenyatta is so happy and much thought goes into every aspect of her care both now and in the future. The Mosses are raising the bar on all aspects of T’bred care, breeding and racing. Another owner might have sold her for a huge sum or sent her to race around the world. Just look at her pictures and notice her soft eyes and her ears when she is in pasture.
KellyM444
I love the question & answers. Great idea! Thanks Lane’s End & Team Z for all the updates.
Here’s my two cents…Zenny is the most loved horse in the world. There is NO way the Mosses would ever do anything that isn’t right for her. I’m happy knowing she safe. I hate the idea of some one other than Mike riding her. She’s not a show pony! She deserves the best & I believe she is getting it. Love you Zenyatta! ^-^
Jan S. / Houston, TX
Love the Q&A. Thanks LE. Our Mama is sure looking good. She certainly is living the life of Riley. ;) Have a nice day everyone.
Mary in Boone, NC
Thank you, Alys, for the informative answers given to these really good questions. I enjoyed learning from you!
If all horses were treated like Zenyatta and Z12, the world would be a much better place. The Queen’s coat is so shiny, her demeanor is so alert, and her eyes are so bright and shiny, it is easy to see she is well and happy. Z12 is healthy and sound physically and psychologically. The Mosses look very contented in all the pictures, and I think Mrs. Moss looks especially radiant with both the Queen and the Prince!!! The four of them are a happy family who are gracious to share with us godparents.
A big thank you to each member of Team Zenyatta and Lane’s End, and high hooves to Zenyatta and Z12 for posing for precious photos!!!
Take care,
Mary in Boone
Jan S. / Houston, TX
@signofthetimes: Hi. Send me a email, so we can talk. :)
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
What is your e-mail address ???
Jan S. / Houston, TX
@signofthetimes: it’s jantrauma1@yahoo..com
Auma
Thank you, Alys, for all the info you’re giving us. I could read this stuff for hours! I get the sense of things being orderly, peaceful, and loving when it comes to all the horses. What a great environment to work and live in. Of course I realize nothing’s ideal, but a horse farm run well by people who love the horses must come pretty close.
Will you be having another Q&A session in the near future?
Beckie
This isn’t an informative or joyous question.
I read that many foals are killed and their hides are used to make different articles.
I was shocked when I read this and would like more information about this practice.
Pati- Prince Z Future TC Winner
Which question? The ones answered by Lanes End or the one someone asked above?
Carla A
Where would you have “read” something so heinous? I would like to see a link to such a practice.
Delrene in Carlsbad, Ca
Thank you Lane’s End and Alys for the information regarding Zenyatta. We who absolutely love her and cherish her are so appreciative of all things Zenyatta.
I would hope as during the “Dottie diaries” posters please keep things positive and uplifting. Zenyatta is extremely well-cared for, universally loved by all of her Z-sters and dumplings.
This is a respectful request coming from a Zenyatta lover in California. Thank you all. Have a wonderful summer day.
We miss you so. You and baby Z look wonderful!
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Thank you Alys, and Lane’s End, for keeping us up to date on Zenny, her foal and her pregnancy. Great Q & A’s today.
In response to Horselover, I cannot think of any horse that is more loved and cared for than Zenyatta. Mr. and Mrs. Moss have always shown total love and affection for their horses and the fact that Zenny now lives at Lane’s End is confirmation of that. I would think myself very lucky if I lived in such comfort, surrounded by people who spend their days making sure that I had everything I could possibly want or need. I could have very happily stayed on after my visit last summer and lived quite contentedly in one of the barns. All horses should be so lucky!!!
Margaret
One to think of still. Z is eating for three. Herself, Prince and baby on the way. Please don’t be concerned. Mother Nature provided for this long ago in all her wisdom. This is one reason mares have “foal heat” so soon after giving birth. It provides for next year’s crop. Man has stepped in and changed things up a bit.
This is also why Z12 is also almost ready to go out on his own. He has learned to eat grass, hay, grain. He nurses now as a baby would at night time for comfort. He is beginning to probably be a bother to Z.
Z and LE’s have done an outstanding job with this baby, He is strong and healthy. Big.
I know a lot of you worry about the weaning process. It will go fine. And it is better this way. He’ll be with humans he knows til he settles down. And Z will soon settle down. Sure it’ll be hard for the first day. But LE’s will not only separate them but there’ll make sure they can’t hear one another. That will help.
It just isn’t done. Not in the domesticate world. And Z12 is worth kabillions.
They will have staff galore out there. They’ll make sure nothing is in the stall that could the foal in the first frantic hours without mom. They’ll be the first time the youngsters are turned out together to make sure all is okay.
As for Z with another baby on board it’ll be a relief not to have to nurse and care for one that is ready for life on his own. There’ll watch her too. She’ll have people watching her too for anything that be amiss.
When weaning day comes–I know a lot of you will be really upset. And most likely we’ll probably be told after the fact–that all is okay. Funny enough I think some of you will be more upset than Z12 or Z herself.
It really will okay. LE’s has been doing for this a long time. Staff has experience. This is the cycle of tb breeding. Think of it as Z12 just moving onto high school. College will be heading to training for racing.
He’s is going to be ready to be weaned. At almost 4 months of age he looks ready now. But I think 5 months months is a good.
Jan S. / Houston, TX
Thanks Margaret. Very interesting info on weaning. My son went off to college, moved out on his own for 6 months on a year’s lease, and then moved back home. Guess Mama Z won’t have that problem. LOL.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
One thing also Margaret Mares milk production decreased at three months after
foaling, in preparation for weaning and conserving more “food” for the new
embryo.
ZENNY HAS BEEN TAPPED BY TAPIT !!!!
Ann
OK sports fans…cast your VOTE!!!! Jockey Nominees are here………
Vote here:Final results will be determined by fan balloting now available at ESPN.com/ESPYS and facebook.com/espn.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/70844/jockey-nominees-announced-for-espy-awards#ixzz1z1eUTfNW
Ann
P.S. I just voted on ESPN. It does takes a few mins. to get to the jockeys. Be patient,keep clicking the NEXT arrow on the right and it takes you thru different categories…fun!
Terry Crow GP
My only question would be-Who determines which jockeys get nominated?
Ann
The powers that be , I spose?
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Thank you to all my friends who wrote such supportive comments about the disaster taking place here in Ontario. I wish that Mr. Stronach would turn his attention to his home province and use some of his fortune to keep the TB industry alive and well.
It was great to see all the Prince of Wales winning jockeys visit our Fort Erie track yesterday. Some of them were winners from the sixties, right up to Luis Contreras from last year. Vic was very happy that she got them all to sign her souvenir program and have the chance to speak to them. Several of them commented on how much they liked her Zenyatta hat which pleased her no end. I’m hoping that she will leave the Zenny hat at home tomorrow when we go to her graduation ceremony!!!!!
Ann
Maybe she can paint a big Z on the board section of her grad hat! Have fun at the graduation!!!! Congratulations to the Grad!!!!
Terry Crow GP
If you are hoping Frank Stronach will ride to the rescue, you may have a long wait. Anybody looking into his financial past will see that he has done his fellow Canadians wrong in the past. I hope I am wrong about him helping. Right now, he is “helping” Golden Gate Fields to go under as a racetrack.
Ann
Looks like he has too many ex Bain employees w/ him. Carrying on the Bain tradition. Pump them up,reap, and then ditch and run.
sue and tony
Great questions and such informative answers. We never, ever question what is best for Zenyatta or how the Mosses have chosen to handle her. Their actions speak volumes and Zenny relishes her new career as a mother. She gets the best of everything and her happiness is so evident in the pictures we are grateful to get from LE. All of Team Z has stepped up to keep the fans informed…for this we are so very grateful.