Pardon my ignorance but why does Ms Z need shoes? When I was a kid in So Cal we didn’t shoe our horses. I am assuming Ms Z isn’t ridden anymore. Sorry for the dumb question
Yes, of course it is a dumb question. Shoes are to protect the hoof. It’s that simple. She is probably only shod on the front as they are much more prone to soreness than the back legs. Any soreness or damage at this stage of her life could be life threatening if for whatever reason she became laminitic. And that is the dumbed down version.
Wow Jeffrey, oh I mean Geoffrey lol. Nastiness is your forte correct? There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!
shirlee cook
Lori,
I was wondering the same thing. Since I had read that they didn’t need shoes when turned out in the pasture. They look as if the are made of plastic. Ignore Geoffrey. That is not the way we do things here on the blog. As a famous singer once said “RESPECT!”
I am a school teacher. There are NO dumb questions. Without questions, we would have NO answers. Not all of us are “Horse People.” We just ALL know we love our Zenyatta, and we want to know all about her – and thanks to Z’s wonderful team to allow us “peeks” into her life! J
Wow Geoffrey; A dumb question is one that is not asked. Your dumbed down answer, gosh even I was able to understand it. I’m not sure why you would assume we all are horse authorities, but we’re not. I am merely a fan, an admirer of The Queen of racing. I visit this sight for Zenyatta and love that I can learn about her and her daily living and how to care for her. I am humbled that her owners open her life to everyone.
Not sure why you were so quick to throw your superiority around, but like Zenyatta, try to be more understanding. There’s really no room for that here. You want to share negativity, go to Instagram or Facebook or elsewhere. They would love your insight. Zenyatta doesn’t.
I think an answer would have sufficed and not a comment on my intelligence.
Heidi
For this Geoffrey guy
Mary M
Hi Heidi, to counter Geoffry, most Thoroughbreds have soft feet and so shoes are highly recommended even on pasture on the front and not the rear in the off chance they kick someone else grazing who may offend them. I had a gelding famous for always getting hoof cracks and thus ‘had to be always shod all 4, all around’. But one winter I decided to give fate a chance and pulled the shoes. Lo and behold, NO more cracks! So no rule is etched in stone with regard to horses.
What a nice surprise to see the awesome and wonderful Zenyatta today! It is so calming to see her and seeing her being so kind. She has such warmth in her eyes. Love her!
Not knowing a lot about this kind of thing I’d love to see a break down of what kind of shoes they are and what the process is.
I thought that horses that spent most of their time in the pasture didn’t really need shoes? These look like some type of rubber or something, are they for walking on concrete?
Oh, and are we going to get a confirmation whether or not Z is in foal?
I, too, am wondering about the reason for the shoes. I have never seen that kind before and did not think she was wearing any. I hope there are no foot problems. Zenny, you are beautiful with or without. Hugs to all, and thanks for the pictures.
I almost leased a beautiful Palomino Paint that wore rubber shoes but found a horse closer to me that didn’t need shoes at all. Very curious though whether Zenny was bred back this spring and to WHOM?
There’s lots of reasons to keep horses shod. Sometimes they have weak hoof walls, low heels, sometimes the ground where they are kept isn’t conducive to having them unshod. Some horses, thoroughbreds especially, are prone to having their feet spread out like “dinner plates” which weakens the walls and can causes other damage, laminitis for one thing. By keeping them trimmed and shoes on, keeps their hooves from spreading, gives them more support. And yes, wouldn’t it be amazing to get to see her and be that close to her. She’s one very special girl….
Horses in pasture many times have front shoes to protect their feet from tears and stones which can bruise them, but usually no back shoes in case they get to playing rough and one kicks another. She looks like she ‘helps’ them. Such a good girl.
What a nice surprise for the Independence Day weekend!
Our beautiful Queen with lovely red shoes — are they dancing shoes?
Zenny, you look more beautiful than ever, and your face exudes gentleness and kindness. Love the close-up photo of your gorgeous eyes, too! I am sure the farrier and the folks who are holding the lead enjoy this job very much — no sweeter customer!
Thanks to Team Z, Lane’s End, the Mosses and Alys for these wonderful, up close and personal photos! You all are The Best!!
She is beautiful and I am always captivated and amazed how smart she is and how professional. I love her so. I miss her and would love to see her again. Much love to everyone at Team Zenyatta.
Oops, make that “the man who is holding the lead . . .” Sorry, I somehow thought there was more than one person in the pictures other than the farrier.
Must be seeing things again!
Thoroughbreds often have difficult feet to maintain. They are prone to long toes and low heels. When the heels drop, lots of bad things happen. We have a thoroughbred and he has these issues. We have to do frequent x-rays to maintain his hoof angles. We also have a retired mare who is a Paint/Pinto. She is only shod on the front. We tried to go barefoot, but her feet would curl under. She has to have shoes to keep her feet healthy. I’m interested in the material of Z’s shoes. Very cool!
Dear Zenny – Looks like you got some new Ruby Red Slipper with some lift! I suspect you only received them on your front feet since most of you time is in pasture and I am sure every once in a while you might break into a dancing move and kick up your back legs. Keep your paddock mates safe :)
We love you Zenny and Happy Fourth of July!
George, Linda, & Milyone
What a beauty! As always, she leaves me speechless!
Lovin’ your new shoes Zenyatta! God bless you
and Team Zenyatta! Praying you are well and hope
to see your pictures with Vixana soon!
Love your Maker’s Mark bottle! Very cool!
patricia fox
Can I have one of the old shoes?
Kim Noble
I bet she’s their favorite. :-)
Heidi
Pardon my ignorance but why does Ms Z need shoes? When I was a kid in So Cal we didn’t shoe our horses. I am assuming Ms Z isn’t ridden anymore. Sorry for the dumb question
Geoffrey
Yes, of course it is a dumb question. Shoes are to protect the hoof. It’s that simple. She is probably only shod on the front as they are much more prone to soreness than the back legs. Any soreness or damage at this stage of her life could be life threatening if for whatever reason she became laminitic. And that is the dumbed down version.
Lori Stein
Wow Jeffrey, oh I mean Geoffrey lol. Nastiness is your forte correct? There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!
shirlee cook
Lori,
I was wondering the same thing. Since I had read that they didn’t need shoes when turned out in the pasture. They look as if the are made of plastic. Ignore Geoffrey. That is not the way we do things here on the blog. As a famous singer once said “RESPECT!”
Jennifer
I am a school teacher. There are NO dumb questions. Without questions, we would have NO answers. Not all of us are “Horse People.” We just ALL know we love our Zenyatta, and we want to know all about her – and thanks to Z’s wonderful team to allow us “peeks” into her life! J
T. Curry
Wow Geoffrey; A dumb question is one that is not asked. Your dumbed down answer, gosh even I was able to understand it. I’m not sure why you would assume we all are horse authorities, but we’re not. I am merely a fan, an admirer of The Queen of racing. I visit this sight for Zenyatta and love that I can learn about her and her daily living and how to care for her. I am humbled that her owners open her life to everyone.
Not sure why you were so quick to throw your superiority around, but like Zenyatta, try to be more understanding. There’s really no room for that here. You want to share negativity, go to Instagram or Facebook or elsewhere. They would love your insight. Zenyatta doesn’t.
Heidi
I think an answer would have sufficed and not a comment on my intelligence.
Heidi
For this Geoffrey guy
Mary M
Hi Heidi, to counter Geoffry, most Thoroughbreds have soft feet and so shoes are highly recommended even on pasture on the front and not the rear in the off chance they kick someone else grazing who may offend them. I had a gelding famous for always getting hoof cracks and thus ‘had to be always shod all 4, all around’. But one winter I decided to give fate a chance and pulled the shoes. Lo and behold, NO more cracks! So no rule is etched in stone with regard to horses.
Nyx
Most racers, even in retirement, require shoes. It’s just the way most Thoroughbred hooves are built.
shirlee cook
Goofed. I meant Heidi.
Carol
Beautiful shoes
Dottie
Queen’s like getting new shoes, too. And appreciates her friends at the farm caring for her. What a well trained, special horse is!
Mary
What a nice surprise to see the awesome and wonderful Zenyatta today! It is so calming to see her and seeing her being so kind. She has such warmth in her eyes. Love her!
Kimberly
That beauty is adorable in her new shoes!!
Bonnie Cantrell
Not knowing a lot about this kind of thing I’d love to see a break down of what kind of shoes they are and what the process is.
I thought that horses that spent most of their time in the pasture didn’t really need shoes? These look like some type of rubber or something, are they for walking on concrete?
Oh, and are we going to get a confirmation whether or not Z is in foal?
Gloria
Awww, she’s so sweet. These are such cool photos. Hope all is well with our big girl. Love her forever! Thanks for posting!
Linda Hoke
Alys, can you explain the benefits of these fancy shoes? They look like a very interesting alternative to the standard metal shoe.
Tracy
Only the best for Americas most loved horse!Thank you for sharing.
Jane Jenkins
I wonder if she wears the biggest size =-) Or maybe she has small feet for a big girl.
Rosemary McCauley
I believe the Queen wears a size 7 shoe, or did when she was racing. If anyone knows differently, please let me know.
Donna H
Thanks for every single picture. She just portrays kindness and patience. Do love the shot of her soft, gentle eyes. Couldn’t possibly love her more.
Barbara Wood
I, too, am wondering about the reason for the shoes. I have never seen that kind before and did not think she was wearing any. I hope there are no foot problems. Zenny, you are beautiful with or without. Hugs to all, and thanks for the pictures.
Kathleen
Wish I could be the one who got to hold her when she got shod. She is so kind and beautiful.
Patty Mongan
I almost leased a beautiful Palomino Paint that wore rubber shoes but found a horse closer to me that didn’t need shoes at all. Very curious though whether Zenny was bred back this spring and to WHOM?
13ZRulz
There is a blog post about who she was bred too.
She was bred to Medaglia D’Oro early May but there is NO confirmation yet about whether or not she is in foal.
Nancy
There’s lots of reasons to keep horses shod. Sometimes they have weak hoof walls, low heels, sometimes the ground where they are kept isn’t conducive to having them unshod. Some horses, thoroughbreds especially, are prone to having their feet spread out like “dinner plates” which weakens the walls and can causes other damage, laminitis for one thing. By keeping them trimmed and shoes on, keeps their hooves from spreading, gives them more support. And yes, wouldn’t it be amazing to get to see her and be that close to her. She’s one very special girl….
shirlee cook
Nancy,
Thanks for the information.
Jennifer
They’re ruby slippers like in Wizard of Oz – “There’s no place like home.”
Yes, how come we haven’t heard any news of her date with Medaglia d’Oro?
Jan / S.
Lovely shoes! For a lovely lady!
Susan in Fl
Pretty, pretty shoes! Thanks for sharing and for all the wonderful updates. Peace & Happiness
Patricia VandenBerg
Horses in pasture many times have front shoes to protect their feet from tears and stones which can bruise them, but usually no back shoes in case they get to playing rough and one kicks another. She looks like she ‘helps’ them. Such a good girl.
Marshall (NC Broad)
What a nice surprise for the Independence Day weekend!
Our beautiful Queen with lovely red shoes — are they dancing shoes?
Zenny, you look more beautiful than ever, and your face exudes gentleness and kindness. Love the close-up photo of your gorgeous eyes, too! I am sure the farrier and the folks who are holding the lead enjoy this job very much — no sweeter customer!
Thanks to Team Z, Lane’s End, the Mosses and Alys for these wonderful, up close and personal photos! You all are The Best!!
Hugs and Love
Claire C. Gordon
Are those “Ruby Slippers”? :-)
Sandra Frey
She is beautiful and I am always captivated and amazed how smart she is and how professional. I love her so. I miss her and would love to see her again. Much love to everyone at Team Zenyatta.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Oops, make that “the man who is holding the lead . . .” Sorry, I somehow thought there was more than one person in the pictures other than the farrier.
Must be seeing things again!
Hugs
Marshall (NC Broad)
To Zenny, Vixana, Z-colts, Team Z, Lane’s End and all Z’sters,
Best wishes for a very HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! Hope everyone has a safe, fun weekend!
Mmm-Waaah! Kisses on soft horsey noses, too.
We also remember all those who have fought and died to give us this freedom. Forever grateful for their bravery.
Lots of Hugs and Love
Ann NC
Thanks, Marshall. Happy 4th to you!
Mmmm-Waah!
Susan Kirkland
Thoroughbreds often have difficult feet to maintain. They are prone to long toes and low heels. When the heels drop, lots of bad things happen. We have a thoroughbred and he has these issues. We have to do frequent x-rays to maintain his hoof angles. We also have a retired mare who is a Paint/Pinto. She is only shod on the front. We tried to go barefoot, but her feet would curl under. She has to have shoes to keep her feet healthy. I’m interested in the material of Z’s shoes. Very cool!
Linda R. Moss
Dear Zenny – Looks like you got some new Ruby Red Slipper with some lift! I suspect you only received them on your front feet since most of you time is in pasture and I am sure every once in a while you might break into a dancing move and kick up your back legs. Keep your paddock mates safe :)
We love you Zenny and Happy Fourth of July!
George, Linda, & Milyone
T. Curry
What a beauty! As always, she leaves me speechless!
Lovin’ your new shoes Zenyatta! God bless you
and Team Zenyatta! Praying you are well and hope
to see your pictures with Vixana soon!
Love your Maker’s Mark bottle! Very cool!
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Zenyatta.A girl just loves her shoes doesn’t she?Love and hugs Sheena.