Lost My First Foal - Day 2 - Up-date 1st Post

[LockeMeadows]

DH woke me up this morning to let me know Chelsea Small Talk, our best broodmare, lost her foal at some point last night. She was not due until late April, so there would have been no way it would have lived. I've bred horses for almost 15 years and have never lost a foal (or a mare for that matter).

Chelsea and I are due about the same time, so it was very hard this morning seeing her dead fetus. DH is taking care of everything, because I'm a basket case right now.

We have a call into the vet, but what needs to actually happen? The fetus is in the back of my truck, the mare is in a stall eating hay, and no one but me is in any distress.

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The vet just left. Chelsea got a 1000lb dose of Banamine prior to vet's arrival (per vet request). When the vet arrived, Chelsea was down, but quiet. It looked like she had passed manure while lying. Vet did a rectal ultrasound, as well as a vaginal flush with abx. As soon as we left the stall, she lay down again. I'm worried, as this mare is very stoic. We're giving oxy at 4:00pm and then PCN 2x day for the next five days.

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As of about 5:00pm, Chelsea has been up and eating hay. She seems to feel a little better. No fever, but she does have Banamine on board. DH is taking care of her tonight since I have to work 11-7. Ugh. I hate leaving a sick horse, but DH is an excellent baby-sitter and calls if ANYTHING looks not right.

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11:00am 1/2/2010 - Day 2
We turned Chelsea out this morning. She is eating, drinking, pooping, and is acting normal again. Today, she just looks much better than yesterday. Thank you for all your thoughts, jingles, and prayers. This was hard, but I'm thankful if something was going to happen to the foal, it happened early. We're going to re-breed her early March for a super-star 2011 baby.

[3Dogs]

I am very sorry :no: -

[Dressage-ryder]

I am so sorry... Hugs to you. We lost our first foal in 2009. It was horrible.

[arizonard]

Oh how upsetting! Sorry for your loss. :( I know how heartbreaking these things can be. I am glad to hear Chelsea is doing ok though.

[Equilibrium]

LM,

I am so sorry for your loss.

The vet will check and make sure general things are ok much like a normal birth. Make sure all the placenta is there, see if she has a fever, and to make sure she hasn't torn, ect. She should be fine. I'm guessing a check on the foal would give you some answers.

Hugs to you and your mare.

Terri

[LockeMeadows]

This would have been her fifth foal for us, as well as her third foal by Silvio. Last year her filly won the foal class at Upperville. Her 2008 colt earned a Zone 3 ribbon in Yearling Hunter Breeding with limited shows. I love this cross and was looking forward to a great year. :cry:

[VirginiaBred]

I am so sorry. Nature has a way of stepping in when something isn't right. Please try to look at it that way.

It's devastating and that's all there is to it. :(

[TrueColours]

I am so so sorry ...

I have lost one through a mare aborting and it was awful. We were there when she delivered the foal, it was still very much alive and slowly passed on over the course of about 30-40 minutes. Helping to deliver a foal you knew wasnt going to live was just awful beyond words. She was due in April and aborted in November so not quite as far along as yours was

Probably the hardest thing was digging a hole to bury her and putting her body into the hole. She looked so perfect and calm - like she was just sleeping - and I was bawling my eyes out the whole time I was digging and the whole time I was covering her up ...

The vet (bless his heart) stayed with me until she passed her placenta and told me what to check for and was just "there" for me. And the mare has had problem free pregnancies afterwards for her new owner

The vet recommended that I save my money and not bother with an autopsy as he said for the $500.00 they cost back then, they do very basic checks and dont necessarily give you the answers you are looking for without going more in depth and spending more money. Sometimes they are "just one of those things that happen" and you move on from them

I am so sorry again. What fabulous foals she has had for you

{{{HUGS}}}

[Sakura Hill Farm]

We are so sorry to hear of your loss! What a way to start 2010.

When we first moved to the farm, we lost the very first foal that we were expecting at 8 months. My husband had just sown a pasture in rye (hand sown, actually!) the day before because he wanted the foal to have nice green grass when it arrived. He came in the following morning and alerted me to the fetus. The vet showed us the twisted umbilical cord and told us that the probability of this happening was infintessimal.

A very bad beginning, to be sure, but unforeseeable and unpreventable. I am sure your loss is the same.

[AppJumpr08]

:(
I'm so sorry.

This is NOT how 2010 is supposed to start!! :no:

::Big Hugs:: to you. I hope this is the worst moment of the whole year, and that things from hear on out are fantastic.

[citydog]

I am so sorry. Nature has a way of stepping in when something isn't right. Please try to look at it that way.


Very true.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Falconfree]

Chelsea and I are due about the same time, so it was very hard this morning seeing her dead fetus.

Wow, that is awful. I'm so sorry. I hope the new year gets better for y'all.

[Equine Reproduction]

So sorry. Losing a foal is never easy, for whatever reason.


We have a call into the vet, but what needs to actually happen? The fetus is in the back of my truck, the mare is in a stall eating hay, and no one but me is in any distress.

Have a necropsy done on the fetus. It can answer questions about what may have gone wrong and identify if there were any pathogens that precipitated the abortion. Without a necropsy, you'll only be able to guess as to what may have happened. Some universities will offer the service for a nominal fee. Even with a necropsy, you may not get an answer as to why the mare aborted. If the mare has/had a poor uterine biopsy score, that can also explain "why". Any outbreaks of rhino, flu, etc., in your area? Mare current on her EHV-1 vaccinations?

FWIW, a twisted umbilical cord is probably one of the most misdiagnosed reasons for an abortion. It is easy to identify when it does happen as one side will look like a massive hematoma with lots of blood and swelling. But, I suppose mare owners want a reason and it's an easy one to give.

So sorry again. Hopefully, the rest of your foalings and your own "foaling" will go uneventful!

[DownYonder]

I am so sorry. Hugs to you and your mare.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

I'm so sorry for your loss!

[Dressage_Diva333]

Crap, I'm so sorry to hear that :( Do you have any other foals coming this year?

((Sending jingles for you and your mare))

[nsm]

I am sorry very very sorry. Not the way to start the new year. Thankfully the mare is okay-

Condolences- Nancy

[Daydream Believer]

I'm so sorry. Such a tragic start to the year. {{{hugs}}}

[Dutch]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[ljshorses]

I am very sorry for your loss. We have lost 2 foals over the years and both were heartbreaking and unpreventable. Just so very bad, I am glad your mare seems to be well.

[Home Again Farm]

I am so very sorry. :cry:

[mlcoursin]

So sorry for you loss, hopefully your year will get better!

[Molly Malone]

I am so sorry for your loss

[dawglover]

Awwww, Rach, sorry for the loss of Chelsea's foal.

((hugs))

[Zu Zu]

So sorry for your loss ~ Jingles for your mare, Chelsea Small Talk and for you. Jingles.

[HSGF]

I am so sorry for your loss......

I know how heartbreaking it can be......one of my mares lost her filly just before Christmas in 2008 she was 7 months is foal.

:(

[Rhyadawn]

I'm so sorry for your loss

[Piatt Farms]

So sorry for your loss. Hugs for you, and jingles for Chelsea. Concentrate on her and making sure she is ok, that should help distract you and eventually ease the pain.

[Zu Zu]

Starting the Jingles for Chelsea - Jingle Jingle Jingle & AO ~ AO ~ AO ~ Alway Optimistic !! Please keep us update and hugs to her owners !!!!!!!

[MoonWitch]

I know there are no words to take the pain from your heart, so I will only wish you peace and hope that your grief is soon replaced with joy.

Blessed be...and ((((((hugs))))))

[Summit Springs Farm]

So sorry for your loss and jingles for Chelsea. It certainly is heartbreaking, her previous foals are just amazingly beautiful.

[Zydeco Sport Horses]

I feel your loss--I lost my first three foals and I believe it is something for which you can never really prepare. Jingling like crazy for your mare. The cross is indeed a lovely one, so I hope you can draw comfort from this poor babe' s lovely siblings.

[Sugarbrook]

OMG, this is not right. 2010 was to be a very good year. I will send all good thoughts for a full recovery for your mare. Please keep us posted. Many jingles.

[kookicat]

I'm so sorry. Jingles for you and your mare. {hugs}

[VirginiaBred]

CRAP. Prayers for your lovely girl.

[misita]

So sorry for your loss. Godspeed to the little one and healing to your mare. She does indeed have lovely babies. They're gorgeous!

[Sunnydays]

Very sorry for your loss, and praying and hoping for your mare.
Sincerely, Kathleen

[blackstallion2]

Jingles for your mare :( a sad start to the year.

[genevieveg17]

I am so sorry. Jingles for the lovely Chelsea.

[Faircourt]

I am so sorry for your loss, that's heart breaking and not a good start to the year. I hope Chelsea is back on her feet soon.

[clint]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your foal, and I'm sending many jingles and good thoughts for Chelsea, and for you. :(

[equusaround]

Sorry to hear about the foal. Her previous foals were GORGEOUS! May 2010 be a happy successful year for you and best wishes for a full recovery for your mare. Good luck on your impending birth as well!

[AppJumpr08]

Aww Crap!

***Loud Jingles from Maine*** For the lovely Chelsea!! I hope she feels better ASAP!!

[Signature]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear it. It's the worst thing to go through. We've lost a couple as well - I agree with VB - we think of it as nature's way of taking care of something wrong. Doesn't hurt any less, but it helps you make sense of it. I hope the mare is ok and feeling better soon!!

[Laurierace]

I was standing in line at Space Mountain in Disney a year ago on Thanksgiving day when the call came saying my mare was aborting. They said the head was out but they could not find the legs and the vet was on the way. It worked out fine and that mare is now about 5 weeks from hopefully foaling her first foal.
I am so sorry for your loss and jingle loudly for the mare. Sorry your good luck wore off, this business will break your heart from time to time. Its the price of admission unfortunately.

[selah]

Prayers & Jingles!

[flashykatt]

So sorry for your loss, and California Jingles on their way for the lovely Chelsea!

[SOTB]

LM, so sorry for your loss!

[Stacie]

What an awful way to start the year. Jingles for your mare, you must be terribly worried about her.

[mlranchtx]

It's not easy to loose a little one regardless of if they would have lived.

My mare aborted her Edelweiss foal a few weeks ago. She was 6 months along.

It was a little easier on me as the foal had a quite obvious case of hydrocepalus (water on the brain) so it certainly would not have lived.

I'm even more thankful that her body knew to get rid of the foal while it was still small enough to pass thru the birth canal with a misshapen head.

It was still a very painful thing to discover in her stall the next morning.

Jingles for your mare!

[LockeMeadows]

Chelsea is doing much better than even a few hours ago. I think we caught everything in time with the retained placenta. She was so happy to go out and is acting normal again. Thank you all for your stories and well-wishes. This is a tuff business!

[Zu Zu]

Glad to hear Chelsea is feeling better ~ Jingles continue for some rest and recovery today.

[pony grandma]

Sorry your good luck wore off, this business will break your heart from time to time. Its the price of admission unfortunately.

I've been following your first post. I'm so glad that the mare is improving. What Laurierace said - it's the numbers, no one gets the 100% (unless they quit when they're ahead - the good gambling advice). The business is not set up that way. I keep thinking that every time I plan a breeding.

It's a tough business and you have a lot of good company. Hugs to your mare, she feels a loss also.