You never know

[Michael]

Got word today that one of my mares, as well as her foal, died during birth yesterday. The farm manager, who's been foaling mares for 30 years, said the foal was the biggest one he had ever seen. He didn't even make it all the way out. What's interesting is that the mare--who had three previous foals without any problem--was not a tall mare (15.2), although very muscular, and was not particularly large before foaling. She foaled almost exactly 11 months from her LBD. Absolutely no indication that this foal would be so enormous.

Conversely, I've had large pregnant mares who waddled like a walking blimp produce small to average size foals.

Just goes to prove that you can't always foretell the size of the foal based on the size of the mare's belly.

[FOS]

hi Michael

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate loss.

Best to you.

Respectfully

[madelyn]

My sympathies... hard to lose the foal, but to lose the mare too....

[Sysonby]

I'm very sorry Michael. The dangers don't stop when horses are retired. They are just different dangers.

[Michael]

Thanks, I guess I have become somewhat hardened over the years about the inevitability of losing some horses before their time. Of course, not living on a farm anymore makes the losses a lot easier to handle. I guess the most important thing for me is to always try to learn something from the experience, and from the experiences of others. Then again, sometimes there is no lesson other than acceptance.

[WarHorse]

Then again, sometimes there is no lesson other than acceptance.

Beautifully put.

[LSB]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mare and foal. What a shame.

[Michael]

I drove down to the farm where I keep most of my mares and young horses last night, and spent today going over them. Talk about "you never know"--a good mare of mine who came home barren last spring suddenly delivered a big strong colt this week! We didn't know until last week that she was in foal, a fact determined after she failed to come in heat at all this year. So, a foal we weren't expecting replaces one we were expecting.

You never know in this business!

[WarHorse]

[Flight]

Michael

So sorry to hear about your loss.

Congratulations on your surprise. Talk about highs and lows.

Just as a matter of interest, do your mares get pregnancy scanned? Ours are done at 15, 30 and 45 days.

[Green Hills]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It's a terrible thing. Please accept my condolences.

[Green Hills]

I drove down to the farm where I keep most of my mares and young horses last night, and spent today going over them. Talk about "you never know"--a good mare of mine who came home barren last spring suddenly delivered a big strong colt this week! We didn't know until last week that she was in foal, a fact determined after she failed to come in heat at all this year. So, a foal we weren't expecting replaces one we were expecting.

You never know in this business!

Well...hooray for some good news!!!!!

[madelyn]

Just like a lady to keep you guessing.... kept that secret like Fort Knox... how about naming that colt Gift Horse?

[WarHorse]

There already is a Gift Horse. (5X5 Native Dancer)

What about...TooManySecrets?

[ckaye]

According to the names book, "Gift Horse" is available The 2000 model that's in the database isn't even registered, according to my APR.