I would be very interested in anyone's opinions on how this filly of ours managed to get born so early, and not only surived, but seems quite 'normal?
Chapella is 19 this year and has had a good many foals (we purchased her in 2004 and she has had 5 fillies and 1 colt for us - including this filly). She always foals near to her due dates, and this year had no V to her tummy and just an tiny possibility of a bag starting (not easy to tell after all those past foals), I had not bothered to check under her tail!
We have gone over and over her covering dates, but August 20th - 24th is correct, still that would make her due around July 20th, so I suppose to foal 23rd June is only a month/5 weeks early, so 290 - 300 days does give us a viable foal! From what I understand a lot do foal and survive earlier. I'm useless with working out 'dates' - we just work on covering dates and start watching closely some 4 to 6 weeks before due dates as we dont do any testing here, but so far, in 20 odd years, we have only missed 4 actual foalings (ooops 5 now! LOL!)
The picture I posted of the foal actually made her look better (condition wise) than she actually was. She is simply tiny (will get some measurements tomorrow) and quite thin and frail and her front legs bow at the knee - she looked just like a premmie foal.
But luckily Chapella's milk came flooding in and baby had no problem drinking and this morning has really filled out and is enjoying some field and grass time with her very special Momma!
We shall be watching our other mares with interest - one is due BEFORE Chapella should have foaled and one a few weeks after. If they both go to their expected dates, then we can say that we didn't make any mistakes and Chapella simply foaled extra early for some reason. She will have a rest now as she has had two babies on the trot. But we might be tempted to try for one more covering in 2012, before retiring her as her babies are just so special!
We have given thanks for how lucky we have been with Chapella and her little daughter.
Thanks for all your congratulations! Maria, it would be lovely to see you sometime this summer if you can make the time.
Anna