This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Equine Reproduction » Horse Breeding & Artificial Insemination » Twinning and Management of Twin Embryos »
  Discussion on Late twin birth
Author Message

Posted on Monday, May 8, 2000 - 6:52 pm:

Dr. O., On Dec 3rd. 99, a TWH mare aborted a foal which was in its 10th. month. I discovered the foal after seeing afterbirth still hanging from the mare. The foal appeared to be fully developed with the exception it had no body hair. Later in March the mare was moved from my farm to the owner's farm. On May 2nd. this mare foaled a small stud colt. According to the owner, the mare discharged two afterbirths. I have seen the foal and it appears to be approx. 3/4th. the size of a normal foal. I know the owner quite well and he has never lied or misrepresented anything to me in the past. At the time of the abortion the owner had two mares on my farm, both black with no other markings. I fed the mares for several months and the mother of the new foal appears to be the same mare but I couldn't swear to it. When orginally bred the owner did not have the mare ultrsounded but only teased her with his stallion to determine pregnancy. My question is obvious, is it possible for the mare to birthed a second twin?

Posted on Tuesday, May 9, 2000 - 9:04 am:

Why do you doubt the owners word? It is an amazing story and I have never heard of anything like this but then again I have seen some pretty odd stuff.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 9, 2000 - 6:48 pm:

Thanks for the reply, I have no reason to doubt his word and based on what you say, I can now say I've seen it all!

Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2000 - 4:04 am:

I have heard a report of this happening to a Welsh Pony mare. The story was reported in the Welsh Pony and Cob Society Annual Yearbook. She had two foals, both alive, well apart (around 100 days). This was much to the surprise of her owner. She had been running with a stallion for the full duration of her pregnancy, and it wasn’t sure whether she had been carrying twins proper, or had run concurrent pregnancies. Both foals survived. So it does happen!
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC