amysue
Well-Known Member
So this past Saturday, my BEST broodmare slipped a foal. She was exactly five months bred to the day. She showed no signs of distress or of not being bred/heat so we assumed all was well with her that morning before turnout. I fed her then came back to get her and she was on the ground, contracting in full labour. I had the vet out to see her, no fever or infection and so far no viral or bacterial causes have been found. Vet says its more common in minis and not to fret. So today I put my Shetland mare and her filly out, went to go get their hay, turn around and pokey is flat out in contractions (with her filly "helping") driving her nuts at her side. She slipped a fetus too, right at about five months old. I sent him out for a necropsy and blood was drawn but otherwise she seems to be recovering fine. I am at a total loss here as to why this happened (I can see one being just a fact of life but two within 6days) and I do not know what to do. I keep my horses healthy and fit, their vaccination and deworming is current and both mares have been bred to these stallions with no issues resulting in successful foaling. I have waiting lists for foals and hate to lose a whole year. However im not willing to jeapordize my mares' well being either (yes I know breeding has risks... and i know the current state of the market but i have clients waiting for foals who have already put deposits down...so im really not in a good place for a lecture at the moment). My vet says its ok to breed them back this fall and just have late summer foals. I honestly dont know where to go from here. Anyone have any experience in this department willing to offer any advice? Is it wise to breed them back soon after slipping a foal? I am in a time crunch with fall approaching...do I wait and breed them in the spring? Im torn on what to do here.
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