Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #21

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

How will Zenyatta’s daily routine change as she gets closer to foaling?

A: Routine is one of the most important factors to keeping all horses, including Zenyatta, happy and settled. Other than moving Z to the foaling barn, her routine remains the same. She is out all day with her buddies and in the barn at night. She and the other mares in her barn are monitored 24 hours a day—with someone checking them in their respective fields during the day and with a full time night watchman keeping a close eye on them at night.

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

Is Zenyatta pastured with the same group of mares she was with last year at this time?

A: Z is currently with mares that have a similar foaling dates, that is how we “buddy” them up. This means that they will move into the foaling barn around the same time. Providing all goes well, they can go back out with each other post foaling and after the mares have had time to adjust to their new arrivals. One of the mares Zenyatta is with has been with her since last spring.

Q:

How will you know upon birth whether her foal will be dark bay like its dam or (will turn) gray like its sire?

A: Although some thoroughbred foals are born obviously gray, often it is difficult to tell whether a foal is going to turn gray until they are a little older. They can begin as chestnut or bay before changing color. Usually the first sign they are going to be gray is when gray hair starts presenting itself around the eyes and muzzle when they start shedding their first coat.

Questions from Roxanne Cook

Boulder Creek, CA

Our Expert

Donna Vowles

Assistant Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from Birmingham, England, Donna joined the Lane’s End team in 2004. As Assistant Broodmare Manager, she devotes her time to ensuring the health and happiness of all the broodmares and their foals.

Reader Interactions

591 Comments

  3. / Reply

    Love Roxanne’s questions. Thank you Donna for anwering them and for posting new pics of Z. She sure looks happy being all “messy”! It’s great to know there is always a watchful eye on all the mares. What a great job you have!! I am soooooooo GREEN!!!
    Best to you,
    Maryp

  4. / Reply

    A good sign for if they’re going to turn gray is if they’re born looking a very rich, dark bay. Bays usually aren’t born looking bay.

  5. / Reply

    I was told that besides obvious genetics how a broodmare is fed can determine the size and substance of a foal, that much of the development determining adult size and substance is established during gestation and nutrition is key. Is this true, and if so how and what are your broodmares fed? Are they all fed the same or basically the same, or does a big girl like Zenyatta get a different formula then a more average size mare.

  6. / Reply

    Lovely pics! Am amazed that in the top photo, Zenny doesn’t look as if she’s in foal – carries it high and tight.

    I’m also curious as to what Lane’s End feeds their broodies; especially what supps they administer to help prevent DOD’s in the babies.

    Donna, thank you for the updates and yes, you are absolutely living the dream!

  8. / Reply

    Thanks for the photos. I’am on pins and needles already,and hoping for you a safe and healthy delivery. Please keep us posted.

  11. / Reply

    Thanks for the updates! I know Zennie is Loved and cared for by all. Can’t wait to see what baby number two looks like. Praying for her to have another safe delivery.

  14. / Reply

    Thank you Donna. As always, the Q & A are so interesting & informative.
    Zenny looks big & fabulous. How is 12Z doing.

  15. / Reply

    Good Day Zenny
    I see you are keeping up with the spa appts and mud baths…good girl
    PACE…PACE…PACE….
    ….
    On another front …just saw a handful of pictures of RA13 and Ojas ….the not-so-little one is very feisty…found them on fb..but I am sure Stonestreet has posted them too
    ……
    have a great day everyone…
    come on Calvin….get number 5000 today
    kisses for all soft noses…

    • / Reply

      carolinarkansas. Zenyatta seems to be following your advice on the mud spa. She looks extremely agile for a horse who is about to give birth. Beautiful too as always.

  16. / Reply

    Thanks for the update. As someone said above…… I will also always love her. I miss seeing her race and feeling the excitement as you see her coming from the back. But it is more wonderful seeing her so happy because she deserves it at this time of her life. She brought all us fans so much fun and happiness and now it is her turn.

  17. / Reply

    ♥ What a pleasant surprise to check in today and find an update on Our Queen!

    As her foaling date gets closer all her Aunties will start pacing the floor awaiting the news! Personally, I’m hoping for a pink blanket :-) IF Zenny waits until April, I hope she foals on the 1st for her birthday – that would be TOO CUTE!!

    ♥ {{{HUGS}}} Auntie Judy (sending all my love and best wishing for a safe delivery). XO

    • / Reply

      I’m glad I read this before I said something ignorant about the mud (i.e., oooh, ick, yuckie, etc :-)

  22. / Reply

    Wow… someone had herself a good roll in the mud! She sure looks happy though. Loved the THREE questions for today. Thanks to Roxanne for asking and Donna for answering, and of course Alys for always taking the most wonderful pictures. Today’s photos remind me of going out to catch my horse to tack up for a trail ride and finding her looking just as muddy as Zenny, and I knew I was in for a major cleanup before I could even think about riding… very fond memories.

  26. / Reply

    Well somebody sure enjoyed her mud bath!!! How are you supposed to know what is an acceptable weight gain for a pregnant mare, especially one as big as our girl?

  27. / Reply

    Yes, a big thank you for keeping us all in the loop with our beloved Zenny! She certainly looks happy and enjoying just where she is meant to be. I’d say you better bundle her up today as the temperature has dropped and will continue to do so today here in Lexington, KY.

    Thanks for your loving care not only of Zenny, butof all the horses at Lane’s End!

  28. / Reply

    This is a good day!, imagine my surprise when I logged in again this morning and saw a new pic of the Queen!, quite frankly I thought I had the wrong page and took a double take!. Thanks Alys for the new pics of the Queen, she is looking mightly royal, happy and healthy!. Am so happy, I knew it was going to be a great day.

    Again, Z, eat an extra carrot for the little princess. Say hi to Prince if you get to see him. Missing him, for real.

    LOL to all, may God’s Blessings be on all. It is well.

  29. / Reply

    I have sad news to share. Our dear Dumpling Sue in FL’s dad passed away this morning after a brief hospital stay and transfer just yesterday to hospice.

    Dear Sue, I am so sorry for your dad’s passing. My heart aches for you and your family as you suffer the pain and grief of your loss. In the midst of your sorrow, I hope your hearts will nonetheless find some comfort in knowing that he now rests beyond pain at the side of the Lord.
    In sympathy,
    Trina

  30. / Reply

    Zenyatta looks so happy!!!!! Thank you Lane’s End for all the information to be able to learn! It’s fun to see her having fun being all muddy too!

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