HOLD MY HAND!!!!!! Dystocia! Jingles needed 4 # 2!

[Iron Horse Farm]

Ok, please tell me that it is going to be ok! :winkgrin:

Last year I had the worst foaling ever for us, resulting in the loss of a 9 year old black dutch mare and her perfect, full term Sagnol filly.

Breedings were already puchased and the next couple of foalings went well, but now I have had a year to dwell and wory and WORRY!!! What is wrong with me? I am a wreck!

Amelia is at 348 days today and Reel Proper is at 344. Both are close, but both are giving me fits! They are on and off of their feed, up and down in the stalls and just generally giving me the big Suerte feeling. Amelia is new to me but has had at least 1/2 a dozen foals and this is Secret's 9th. SHe was supposed to have a Rodioso last year, but was checked open in the spring. Cameras are up, straw is down and I am falling apart!

Moral support please!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dressage-ryder]

You will do awesome!!! They are going to give you super fantastic foals so they might as well get the show on the road already ;)

[Iron Horse Farm]

You will do awesome!!! They are going to give you super fantastic foals so they might as well get the show on the road already ;)

Oh, you are soo positive! I love it!:D

[xsalute]

Sending good karma your way.

[goeslikestink]

slap you or kick you up the bum---- get a grip it will be fine

[alliekat]

You have every right to be a nervous wreck with the year you had last year. The good news is your broodies sound like old pros and I am sure they will have everything under control. I lost last years foal in the final part of my mare's pregnancy and I too get freak out. I think it is normal, well as normal as us "breeders" can get. Have a glass of wine and picture your fields full of perfect foals running and playing. It helps me. We just had our first foal of the year, and my mare that lost her foal last year is getting really close!! You and your girls will do great!!!
Sending a basket full of jingles your way.

[nsm]

Sending lots of positive jingles, LOTS! Don't worry, as has been said those are veteran broodmares, and you have to remember all the times everything went right. Good luck-- sending wishes for safe and easy foalings-

Nancy

[Signature]

Totally know how you feel! It only takes one really horrible experience to turn your opinion of foaling season from incredible excitment to completely terrified. We had a bad year last year as well but nowhere near like yours... so here's to a great foaling season with happy, healthy mares and foals!! <cheers> :winkgrin:

PS Remember that statistics are in your favor - 90% of births are uneventful? :)

[FairWeather]

This years is my very first, and Im an absolute wreck. I don't know how people do this, multiple times even! We're still a month out, and my mare is gigantic. I'm a total nervous nellie :(

[shea'smom]

Miss Amelia is a pro. I have seen her get as big as a house, legs swell up, the whole 9 yards. And never a problem foaling.
Please let me know when she has it and give her a kiss from me.
Kathi

[Iron Horse Farm]

Had a panic attack this morning because I fell asleep watching the cameras............but, no babies yet! It seems that they are going to torture me for at least another day.

These two mares are best friends in the world. Last year they cycled together and if Reel Proper hadn't held onto her follicle forever, they would share a due date as well. :)

[Iron Horse Farm]

Miss Amelia is a pro. I have seen her get as big as a house, legs swell up, the whole 9 yards. And never a problem foaling.
Please let me know when she has it and give her a kiss from me.
Kathi

:yes::yes:Yes, yes!! She is very very large!:eek: I think that soon small planets are going to start orbiting around her.

And, if possible, she is getting sweeter and sweeter. I go out to see her and her lower lip is hanging and her head is lowered.........she let my two kids groom all over her the other day with her eyes closed. :)

[DeeThbd]

All the best!

[Edgewood]

I can certainly relate. On April 9th my mare lost her foal at 314 d with a horrible dystocia. I am a nervous wreck for the one due at the end of May/early June.

But as others have said, most foalings are normal and thus your chances of having a normal foaling are high.


Plus you are very experienced, so even in the event of a bad foaling, I am sure that you will do the right thing.:)

[Home Again Farm]

I totally understand your feelings. Kind of deja vu for me back in 2006 when Wintermaske was due with her first foal (she'd had an ET foal in 2004). The previous year I had lost a mare 20 hours after foaling to a twisted colon and 2 months later lost a filly that was about three weeks old. If mares had not already been bred back, I was going to throw in the towel and quit.

Remember that most of the time all goes well. These mares sound like they are seasoned veterans. Be there and be alert, but hope for the best. Wishing all goes perfectly.

[Iron Horse Farm]

I can certainly relate. On April 9th my mare lost her foal at 314 d with a horrible dystocia. I am a nervous wreck for the one due at the end of May/early June.

But as others have said, most foalings are normal and thus your chances of having a normal foaling are high.


Plus you are very experienced, so even in the event of a bad foaling, I am sure that you will do the right thing.:)

Kris, you are so sweet. So sorry to hear abut the loss of your foal. I hope that the mare is ok.

This breeding business can be so tough.

[Zu Zu]

:DJingles from Kansas !!!! AO - ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC !!! Send pics and update us with your beautiful babies soon!!

[Mozart]

Well, just think Holly. What are the odds 2009 will be as bad or worse than 2008? Pretty darn slim I say!

It will be okay, really it will!

[Iron Horse Farm]

And now my dad just had a heart attack, just got the news from the hospital..............he "was off his feed" yesterday and had a monstrous headache. They are transferring him to a specialty hosp in a couple of hours:cry::cry:

[BlueMoonJumper]

Sending serious jingles to your dad, and good thoughts to you and your mares... Hang in there Holly!

[Zu Zu]

Thoughts and PRAYERS! AO * Always Optimistic!!!! JINGLES JINGLES JINGLES!

[alliekat]

Sending jingles and you, your dad and your mares are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Home Again Farm]

More jingles for your Dad.

[bluemoonfarms]

Jingles for you Dad. I know some have had trouble with it this year but try Chemetrics you will get a lot more well needed rest. It has worked fine for me in the past and this year. Be sure to take care of yourself.....

[RodeoQueen]

Jingles for your family - your dad. Hope he's doing better and on the mend. And jingles for your Girls!

Don't worry - they're pros. It's hard when your scared and harder when you're tired and with the addition of your father's sickness, I can't imagine. You're in our thoughts and me and our band of girls with all their healthy, gorgeous foals, send you good birthing Karma!

Pour yourself a good glass of wine, curl up in front of your foal watch and let the games begin. Please post pics - we can't wait to see!

laura

[allpurpose]

Jingles from Michigan for your Dad and the broodies.

[Iron Horse Farm]

11pm Chemetrics on both mares are a big NADA Zippo Zilch. This doesn't mean that I'm sleeping! :lol: Reel Proper didn't show as Top Secret for nothing! If any mare can fool a polygraph..........er I mean Chemetrics it's her!
:eek::winkgrin:

[Iron Horse Farm]

No babies this am.

Dad having a heart cath at 2pm..........I'm sure that's when somebody will decide to lay down and have a foal!

[Zu Zu]

JINGLES FOR YOUR DAD & YOU AND THE MARES !!!!!!

[Quinn]

Healing thoughts to your Dad and massive jingles to your mares.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[Iron Horse Farm]

THanks guys!

Well, Secret (Reel Proper) is finally reading on the Chemetrics. Tonight a 65. Amelia........nothing.


Dad, no good news I'm afraid. Heart cath today revealed two 100% blockages and one 80% blockage. One of the blockages is in a previous bypass. The doctors have told us that due to his kidney issues, he is not a surgical candidate. :eek:::cry::cry: I'm trying not to sob as I write this.....this is the guy who let me ride my horse through the subdivision and whom I can picture like it was yesterday, standing at the University of Findlay in zero degree weather watching me ride in my IHSA show and SCREAMING at the rail "get em tiger!"

[showjumpers66]

Jingles for your dad!!! {{hugs}}

[ilikridn]

THanks guys!

Well, Secret (Reel Proper) is finally reading on the Chemetrics. Tonight a 65. Amelia........nothing.


Dad, no good news I'm afraid. Heart cath today revealed two 100% blockages and one 80% blockage. One of the blockages is in a previous bypass. The doctors have told us that due to his kidney issues, he is not a surgical candidate. :eek:::cry::cry: I'm trying not to sob as I write this.....this is the guy who let me ride my horse through the subdivision and whom I can picture like it was yesterday, standing at the University of Findlay in zero degree weather watching me ride in my IHSA show and SCREAMING at the rail "get em tiger!"


He sounds like a great guy.

[groundsore]

Hope everything goes ok on all fronts-- keep us posted on everyone's welfare! Try to get some rest and as someone once told me "worrying too much when there's nothing you can do means that you'll end up worrying twice, once beforehand and then once again if there is something you actually have to worry about." (i second the call for some wine...)

[Penthilisea]

Take some Xanax of a few glasses of wine and let nature do it's thing. You are in a great place with super pro mares who know their stuff. Best wishes from NJ!

[DownYonder]

Oh, Holly, I am so sorry about your Dad. Watching a beloved parent decline is just awful. I just lost my Mom after a short (6 week) struggle with leukemia, so I can understand the depth of your anxiety and fear. Jingles to your Dad as he faces this battle.

Jingles also to your mares, and hugs and courage to you.

[Iron Horse Farm]

Thanks for all the support, guys! No foals this am, but I may have seen a small moon orbiting around Amelia's midsection! LOL I will recheck a Chemetrics when I get home from work at 1am.

Dad continues to be very depressed. :no:

[Stacie]

Thanks for all the support, guys! No foals this am, but I may have seen a small moon orbiting around Amelia's midsection! LOL I will recheck a Chemetrics when I get home from work at 1am.

Dad continues to be very depressed. :no:
Holding you in my thoughts for ALL your loved ones both 2 and 4 legged

[shea'smom]

AW, no. Sorry about your Dad. We'll keep up the jingles and prayers.

[Iron Horse Farm]

Oh, Holly, I am so sorry about your Dad. Watching a beloved parent decline is just awful. I just lost my Mom after a short (6 week) struggle with leukemia, so I can understand the depth of your anxiety and fear. Jingles to your Dad as he faces this battle.

Jingles also to your mares, and hugs and courage to you.

Chris, I'm so sorry about your mom! Big cyber hugs from MI. I'm having a real hard time with this...........your parents are always ssupposed to be there!

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

And... your dad always will be there, just not in the way that YOU prefer. I am sorry, I know how gut wrenching this is for you. Try to be strong for him, try to encourage him to be the "Tiger" and now it is your turn to be there for him. Heartfelt jingles for your dad!!! Heartfelt hugs for you.

As far as your mareses... try not to focus on the past, try and focus on the rewards of healthy colts and fillies and fuzzy muzzles and the fuzzy baby fur and sweet breath and milk dribbles you are are about to experience. You deserve it. Hugs to you and passing you a nice glass of your favorite wine... you deserve that too. Stress SUCKS!

[Iron Horse Farm]

You guys are the best!

Bugs, I know that, I hope that that knowledge will sustain me later, right ow it just all seems like so much. :cry:

Secret was at 165 when I checked the Chemetrics at 1am when I gt home fromwork. DH had been checking on her religiously throgh the evening and was happy to go to bed! Amelia....still nothing! Both mares were quiet overnight. :)

[Zu Zu]

Jingles for your Sunday ! AO!!!!

[Iron Horse Farm]

Ok, first foal is here! Secret foaled a black/bay Rodioso filly at about 9pm. She stood immediately, passed a lot of meconium and is still up, but has not yet nursed at 1 hour. Big nursing jingles needed!

Secret stood and passed the placenta. Good mare!

[sfstable]

Congratulations :)

[Iron Horse Farm]

NURSING!!!!!!!! Apparently all tat had to happen was that I needed to leave them alone! ;)

[shea'smom]

Great news!! Congrats!!

[inca]

Glad the first foal is here and all is well.

So sorry to hear about your dad.

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

YAY!!!! One down, one to go! Congratulations!!!

[DownYonder]

Congrats on the filly, Holly! Still jingling for your Dad!

[showjumpers66]

Congrats!

[Edgewood]

Congratulations on your first foal!

I am sorry about your Dad, that has to be upsetting too.:no:

[alliekat]

Oh good I am so happy for you!!! Now I can't wait to see pics. Still jingling for your dad also.

[Mozart]

Best wishes to you, I'm thinking about you and your dad. You and I have spoken in the past and we have a lot of similarities, horses, young family and aging parents with health issues...I know how hard it can be.

Although the horses do add to the stress, you are guaranteed to feel better when you see that foal romping around.

[Iron Horse Farm]

THanks guys - so good to know that others understand. I work with a bunch of young women, very few of them married, who look to me as the "old lady" at ....gasp......36 years old, so none of them understand at all about sick parents.

Dad checked himself out of the hosp yesterday so that he could attend his grandson's confirmation and his sister's (my aunt and godmother) 60th wedding anniversary party. He looked very tired and at some point during the church service was sweaty and gray :no::no:. I was worried about him all day.

And CBC was normal today on foal and Igg > 800 YEA!!

Can we say "rollercoaster emotions!"?

[paintjumper]

that your Dad is not feeling better. Great news about the foal though! Hang in there from one oldie to another, I'll be 47 on the 13th! Yikes!
Micki

[Iron Horse Farm]

OK, Amelia finally, at 354 days, registering on the Chemetrics........a whopping 55. :yes:

Pictures of the new girl now on the front page of the website (didn't want to make you hunt for them!:lol:).

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

She is terribly smoochable!

I am sorry about your dad. Is he under his General Practitioner's care?

[RodeoQueen]

Congratulations on your nice looking filly! :yes: What legs! She sure is a pretty one. Sorry to hear about your father - I can't imagine and dread it happening in my family. Good luck with your next mare - let us know when the baby arrives!

I measured my 9 week old Dutch and he's 50 inches tall OMG. Thankfully he's an lovebug pocket pet. I think your leggy little filly is going to be tall!

laura

[Iron Horse Farm]

No baby yet! Amelia was up and down all night and even getting sweaty at one point.........then at about 5:15 this am, she got up, shook and went over and ate her dinner! :eek:

Still sleepless..........:lol:

[alliekat]

OMG she is soooo cute!!!
Sounds like your other girl is getting close.

[Iron Horse Farm]

We were watching Amelia on the camera last nite since she was starting to leak some milk. Around 3:30 this am she laid down and started pushing. We didn't see foal until almost 4. By then she was clearly exhausted, but the foal seemed in the right position- one foot ahead of the other, then nose. She stopped contracting, and was laying flat out with her eyes closed. We gave her a few moments, unil I realized that the sack had broken and that the baby was gasping. Eeeeeeeeeekk. :eek: He was a shoulder lock. And in all of the years of foals that I have had, I've never had one stuck so tight while in the correct position. It took hubby and I nearly 45 minutes to pull this foal and once he appeared, you could see why. We loaded them onto the trailer and headed to MSU to make sure that everyone is ok. Mom is exhausted, and they are US her for tears. Baby is standing and strong, but they were x raying lungs to be safe and putting an IV cath in ( his blood glucose was only 42 when we arrived!) to get him some sugar and antibiotics - since I don't know what he inhaled! He weighed 144# on the scale when we got there!!!! Biggest foal of the year so far at the university - poor Amelia! Just now getting home at 1pm. Whhheeew.

Soooo, please send some jingles for my very tired mare and her colt. He is black with two white hinds and HUGE. :eek: I really think that if I had missed this birth, one or both of them wouldn't have made it.

[Edgewood]

Oh my! But like I said earlier, at least you are experienced and got the foal out. Jingling for both mom and son!

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Sending lots of jingles for mom and foal! Thank goodness you were there! Can't wait to see pics of your little boy.

[cshmouse]

Hoping for a speedy recovery! Poor mom.

[alliekat]

Sending lots of jingles to all. Glad you were there for sure!!!!

[Iron Horse Farm]

Thanks guys. I'm worried, but they wouldn't have had this chance if we hadn't pulled them. I don't like to do it, but it was obvious that mom was done.

I kept telling Daddy Longlegs all the way to the trailer "get a move-on there spider"...............maybe a name thought? Spyder by Soprano? ;)

[Oakstable]

Glad he is here.

Pulling one out is extremely demanding.

Glad you were watching and saved both of them.

Pictures when it is appropriate....

[spacely]

Jingles! So glad you were there!

[Walnut Farm]

jingling for both!! how lucky you were there!

[vtwmbld]

Spyder would be a great name. Congratulations on both babies. We had to pull one of ours out also, and it's pretty scary - not to mention exhausting. All's well that ends well! I hope your dad is doing well. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[paintjumper]

I am so glad you were there, I had to pull one several years ago and I have never hurt so bad in my shoulders and upper back, I found muscles I never knew I had..........and they hurt! Good luck with mama and baby and the rest of the ones due! I love the name, a friend had a colt named that because that is what he looked like trying to get up the first time.

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

JINGLES!!!! BIG OL' JINGLES!!!!!

[madoy]

Jingles all 'round - hope everyone is resting well now!

[VirginiaBred]

Whew! Frightening! Glad you WERE there and they sound fine. Keep us posted!

[sid]

Good job! YES...pulling a foal through a dystocia is more physically demanding than one would think. When your adrenalin is running high in a crisis situation you don't feel what you did to yourself until a day or two later...ask me now I know..:lol:.

The first one, baby was competely wedged up into the rectum. Both arms in getting her down was tough. When the mare decided to not "help" with pushing, I was pulling against dead weight (per vet instructions on the phone). Not much time left for the foal to survive. Next day every muscle in my body was screaming...even muscles I didn't even know I had. I couldn't move for a week. And I was fit at the time.

The second one...same thing, only worse. Baby presented completely ventral..a 2 hr. saga. I damage my SI joint, but never felt a thing at the time.

Take a really hot bath every day for a few days and get in a Jaccuzzi if you can! You're gonna need it. Have a glass of wine and candles and enjoy your accomplishment. Nothing like it.

We wreck ourselves if we have to, but don't even feel it. It's worth it...but indeed you feel every dystocia that was really hard in later years..:winkgrin:

Congrats!!!!!

[idlemoon]

Holly... I hope to hear good news about your Soprano foal... You are in our thoughts and prayers... Lisa

[quicksilverponies]

Good job on being there and sounds like you did all the right things! Huge jingles and warm wishes for a great outcome. He sounds like a really nice colt!

[Zu Zu]

JINGLES JINGLES !! JINGLES !!! JINGLES!!!! JINGLES !!!!! JINGLES !!!!!JINGLES!!!!! MORE JINGLES THAN I CAN TYPE!!!!!

[shea'smom]

Crap! Jingles for Amelia!! Dang it. I cant believe she gave up, she is such a trooper. Please update when you can. Hope it is good news for mom and baby.

[Sunnydays]

Hope everything settles for Amelia and Spyder in the next 24 hours. Congratulations on your courage girl - and 2 babies. You are in my thoughts.:)

[szipi]

My last bad distocia (lost foal, not the mare) was 14 years ago- until last week. I had a LeSanto/Eau Claire (Premium Select Mare by Lotus T) baby being carried by a draft mare. I was there when the water broke, but when there was no progress I checked the foal's position...and he was upside down, with the head and neck along with the front legs turned back. i could not reposition it, the vet could not either. We did emergency c-section, rushed the baby down to UF (who still had a heart beat), but she died on the exam table. Horrible experience if I had ever been through one... But life goes on and hopefully none of like this will happen for at least another 14 years....

Andras
www.prairiepinesfarm.com

[Sugarbrook]

Jingling for mare and foal, and may I say, congrats on a job well done!!!! I am proud of you. Its my worst nightmare.

[Iron Horse Farm]

Amelia is doing well, just absolutely exhaused. She actually was hanging her head to the floor at MSU. She didn't tear! SHe is being started on some Domperadone to increase her milk production and she has perked up with some food (and a bit of Banamine).

Spyder is getting up and down on his own and drinking like crazy. She doesn't have enough milk for him, even though she is producing a normal amount (she would need enough for TWO foals per the vet), so they are using a sewn in feeding tube and giving him goat's milk while he is sleeping.:) His bloodwork came back good too, so no IV fluids needed. They x rayed his chest for broken ribs and aspiration pneumonia, but so far so good. :yes:

There was more, but I can't think straight right now. :confused:

[Iron Horse Farm]

My last bad distocia (lost foal, not the mare) was 14 years ago- until last week. I had a LeSanto/Eau Claire (Premium Select Mare by Lotus T) baby being carried by a draft mare. I was there when the water broke, but when there was no progress I checked the foal's position...and he was upside down, with the head and neck along with the front legs turned back. i could not reposition it, the vet could not either. We did emergency c-section, rushed the baby down to UF (who still had a heart beat), but she died on the exam table. Horrible experience if I had ever been through one... But life goes on and hopefully none of like this will happen for at least another 14 years....

Andras
www.prairiepinesfarm.com

I'm very sorry for your loss. :cry:

[Iron Horse Farm]

Crap! Jingles for Amelia!! Dang it. I cant believe she gave up, she is such a trooper. Please update when you can. Hope it is good news for mom and baby.

I am thinking in hindsight that she was in stage 1 labor for over 24 hours. She was tired before she even got started. :no: When she closed her eyes and stopped pushing I really think that she knew that baby wasn't coming out - at first she wasn't helping us while we were pulling, but then when he started to wiggle, she was pushing like a champ. It took her a long time to get up afterwords and she was shaking. :no:

Just,overall, an experience that I would be happy if I didn't have to repeat any time soon.

[Oakstable]

Holly,
Was the cervix open?


Your story makes me determined to find a smaller stallion for Dior.

[Iron Horse Farm]

Holly,
Was the cervix open?


Your story makes me determined to find a smaller stallion for Dior.

I think that it must have been....MSU said that they would check her again "when her cervix closes up".

Just makes me very happy that I missed all that sleep!

Oh, forgot, there were some yucky brown areas on the placenta, but there was still plenty of "good" tissue lef to support the pregnancy.

[Daydream Believer]

Wow...so glad the mare and foal are Ok. I lost a mare and foal here last Spring to a severe dystocia (upside down foal and a rear foot wedged into the birth canal) so I sure do know the fear and anguish and exhaustion. Sending mega jingles for your mare and foal.

I'm not sure what you did exactly but a tip on shoulder lock if it ever happens again. Pull one leg and then the other versus pulling both together...rock the shoulders out if you will as one leg should be a bit in front of the other to help the shoulders pass easier. I hope that makes sense. I had a shoulder lock just the other night..my large white foal but a quick couple of pulls alternating on each of the foal's legs and she got him out OK.

[Laurierace]

Great update to a horrifying situation. I am so glad you were there for both of them.

[shea'smom]

Thanks for the good update. I hope both continue to improve. Give Amelia a kiss from an old friend.
I will tell Forever West he has a baby brother!

[Iron Horse Farm]

Wow...so glad the mare and foal are Ok. I lost a mare and foal here last Spring to a severe dystocia (upside down foal and a rear foot wedged into the birth canal) so I sure do know the fear and anguish and exhaustion. Sending mega jingles for your mare and foal.

I'm not sure what you did exactly but a tip on shoulder lock if it ever happens again. Pull one leg and then the other versus pulling both together...rock the shoulders out if you will as one leg should be a bit in front of the other to help the shoulders pass easier. I hope that makes sense. I had a shoulder lock just the other night..my large white foal but a quick couple of pulls alternating on each of the foal's legs and she got him out OK.

We have had a couple over the years as well. I was actually pushing one leg while my husband was pulling the other to try to get the shoulders into that sideways position where they take up less room..we eventually realized that he was in perfect position - he was just that big. :eek:We ended up pulling down over and over like a lever and prying him out. He tried to stick at the hips, but by then we had momentum!

Popped an elbow lock out really quick just as you said in 2006.

So sorry that you lost yours - all the prying in the world doesn't fix an upside down one.

[Tornado Run Farm]

Wow, what an experience. Sounds like you need to give yourself a huge pat on the back for a job well done! Congratulations! I hope your mare bounces back quickly, too. Poor mare - I guess she DID look like some kind of celestial planet carrying a foal that size!

Many, many continued jingles!

[Daydream Believer]

We have had a couple over the years as well. I was actually pushing one leg while my husband was pulling the other to try to get the shoulders into that sideways position where they take up less room..we eventually realized that he was in perfect position - he was just that big. :eek:We ended up pulling down over and over like a lever and prying him out. He tried to stick at the hips, but by then we had momentum!

Popped an elbow lock out really quick just as you said in 2006.

So sorry that you lost yours - all the prying in the world doesn't fix an upside down one.

Good heavens...he must be a big 'un! :eek: I'm glad it worked out. It is hard to lose one like we did :cry: and much harder to correct a dystocia than most people (who haven't tried) realize. I'm so glad your story has a happy ending. :)

[showjumpers66]

Jingles!

[Fred]

jingling for the mare and baby

[TKR]

Hi Holly -- so glad things are looking up -- jingling like crazy from Alabama and sending good thoughts, karma and prayers for your mare and foal (and you!). My 20 year old stallion was stuck at his shoulders during delivery. I called my vet and kept pulling with her contractions (she stopped a few times as well and had to rest). He finally slid out to his hips, which were also a bit stuck. Got him out and he had little indentions in his shoulders where they were stuck and was windswept for days -- also a big foal. My vet arrived and teased me that the foal was too big to have just been born. I wondered if he'd walk in circles all his life, but he straightened out and the mare was ok, but he was her last (and only foal produced for me). Hoping for the best!
PennyG

[hansiska]

Congrats on a job well done!!! Jingles for mare and foal. And you and your Dad. How is the first foal doing?

[Home Again Farm]

Jingling that all ends up fine and they come home soon. Thank goodness you and hubby were there and able to get the foal delivered!!

Andras, I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing a foal is terrible, but losing a foal from your beautiful Eau Claire must really hurt.

[Lesley Feakins]

Jingles from PA. Sincerely hope both Dam and foal come thru this and are back home with you soon.

I too have had large foals stuck at the shoulders and had it not been for my husband being there to help I know I would never had gotten the foal out alone.

We have one mare who always delivers strapping big foals with huge shoulders and I ALWAYS want to be present at that delivery. Always end up edging the foal out one shoulder at a time..very nerve racking.

Kudos to you for doing a great job of getting the foal out...well done!

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

Whew, that is a relief to hear. I will continue to Jingle though, both for them and for you dad.

[Iron Horse Farm]

THEY CAN COME HOME!!!!!!!!!

It must have been the jingles.............:D

Someone very wise once told me that strength is earned when you are faced with what you fear most......and survive. ;)

[back in the saddle]

much harder to correct a dystocia than most people (who haven't tried) realize.

I can't imagine what it's like to correct a foal dystocia. I had to correct a dystocia in a sheep a month ago, the 10lb lamb's head was out, feet were back. My hands were bruised and my whole body hurt for a week. I can't even begin to imagine the strength required to reposition a foal.

[Daydream Believer]

THEY CAN COME HOME!!!!!!!!!

It must have been the jingles.............:D

Someone very wise once told me that strength is earned when you are faced with what you fear most......and survive. ;)

Wonderful news! :D

[shea'smom]

Awesome! Now, we want baby pictures.

[Fenway]

I wasn't online to send any jingles but, reading this now, I wanted to say congratulations. I'm so glad that everyone is okay. That is one of my worst nightmares.

[Iron Horse Farm]

Thanks guys! They can come home now, but I have to work, so I will go get them tomorrow and try to get some pix.

He is officially the largest newborn seen at MSU this year of any breed:eek: 144# on presentation, even dehydrated. At 48 hours old he is 167#
Igg was good...yea!

MSU reports tha Amelia is eaeting them out of house and home!:yes:

[sid]

Great news! My "whopper" who weighed in at about what your fellow did, grew to 18.2 hh....:eek:. (Sadly, I lost his dam due to a dystocia and he was orphaned. )

So happy that BOTH mom and baby are doing so well. I'm sure you are proud.

[selah]

Great job on a tough situation!

Something to try if contractions stop, but presentation is good...it seems that contractions can be stimulated by pulling the mare's head up so she is lying on her sternum...hold her there, until she flops herself back down into complete side-lying position...as soon as she flops back, be ready to pull, because it seems to stimulate a contraction. Worked for us this spring...we still lost the foal, but it could have been much worse...

I am looking forward to pics!!!

[alliekat]

So glad to hear everything is better. pics are a must!!!

[Flyingbuck]

Just read this - so pleased that you have two healthy foals :) - congrats - you've certainly had a time of it lately.

[magnum]

Got an opportunity to review Iron Horse's foals this rainy spring afternoon. They are COMPLETELY LOVELY! The "person" in question on this thread - he is just HUGE HUGE HUGE! The knees are bigger around .... than ... my waist? Legs a mile long ..... Yet, he has the daintiest little head ... just totally LOVELY ... He is smart as a whip, and completely ... uh ... friendly.

(Have no clue about conformation ... got assaulted from the moment I stepped in the stall. He is friendly, "in your pocket" and totally SOCIALIZED already. He seems to have a lot to say and is eager to explore - and sniff -- everything around him... Hate to say, some of the best ones are improved with the hardships ... what a cutie-pie! ).

That filly is ... just .... to die for. Just so sweet, shy ... demure. PERFECT with an INCREDIBLE, neck set and a nice NICE hind end. Very elegent -- a real looker! Her legs are already nice & straight (we need updated photos!).

They are lovely, Iron Horse. So glad they both came out so well!

BTW - Secret stole my heart today. She is just ... fabulous. Kind, caring and placid .... what a wonderful Mom! I enjoyed seeing them all -- they are ALL nice (even if you have so many I can never keep track of their names and ages!) ... CONGRATS!

Magnum

[Iron Horse Farm]

OH, Magnum, thank you for all of the kind words! It really means the world to me when such a knowledgeable rider/competitor says such nice and insightful things!:)

[magnum]

Thank you!

When do we get to see updated photos?

Magnum