From: Margaret
Dear Jessica
I've browsed your archives several times and found them very helpful. Thanks for all the great info. I hope you can give me some insight into the following situation.
My husband and I fell in love with Arabians about four years ago and purchased two geldings for trail riding. We have 38 acres, so we keep all our own horses. Two years ago, my husband and I purchased Sabra, a beautiful 5-year-old Arabian broodmare whose sire is Khemosabi and whose dam was also a national champion. She had one foal as a three-year-old, and he was a beautiful yearling. We bred her to another national champion stallion and anticipated having a gorgeous foal.
Unfortunately, despite our efforts to do everything right (getting her off fescue, etc.) and excellent veterinary care, things went awry. The foal was hip locked and died in the birthing process. The vet had to use a calf jack to get him out. Sabra went down shortly afterward and couldn't get up due to nerve damage to her left hip.
I was sure we would have to put her down and the insurance company gave us the go-ahead to do so. But we wanted to be sure we gave her every chance, and our vet told us not to be too hasty.
He was impressed with Sabra's temperament (no thrashing or hysterics), her response to us (nickering and sitting up when we came into the barn) and her appetite (she continued eating and drinking). He told us that as long as the horse didn't give up, we didn't have to either.
So we had a livestock sling especially made. And10 days later, we finally got her back on her feet. Sabra limped very badly, dragged her left foot and had tremendous muscle deterioration on her left flank, but she was standing.
However, the pain she endured over the following months gave us many occasions to question whether we'd done the right thing. She developed laminitis (7 degree rotation) in her right hind foot (the good side) because of the limp. Heart-bar shoes and pads (on both hind feet) were used to treat that.
There were times when her muscles would tighten up, almost as if she had tetanus, and she would just shake with pain. We brought in a chiropractor several times and I massaged her twice daily for a month until she improved.
She made slow progress over the next 4 months. And then finally, about 5 months after foaling, she got over the hump. Her coat slicked out, she began to put on weight and act like a horse again, instead of an invalid.
Now (9 months after foaling), she is healthy and sassy. She rules the farm, telling our geldings what to do and when to do it. The muscle deterioration on her left flank is filling in to a great degree.
Our vet is astounded at her progress. He says she's perfectly sound and we can start her under saddle this spring. He checked her reproductive organs and found a small scar on her cervix, but says it would not interfere with her carrying a foal to term. He wants to check her out again in a few months before he makes any firm recommendations, but he's pretty sure we could breed her again if we want to.
Here is my question (finally): If we do choose to breed her again, how great are the chances that she will have trouble again? Sabra isn't a very big horse (14 hands), but had no problems with her first foal, although he was fairly large. Our vet and others have told us foaling complications are pretty rare. Mares that have had no previous problems are probably as likely to have complications as Sabra would be.
This horse is so special to us. She taught us a lot about trust and perseverance when the odds are against you. Our vet refers to Sabra as "the miracle horse." And other experienced people have told us that very few horses could have survived what she went through.
We are torn between wanting a foal from this incredible animal, who is as beautiful and smart as she is brave. And not wanting to put her (or ourselves) through another ordeal. I'd appreciate any input. And thanks again for sharing your knowledge of horses.
Margaret
Hi Margaret! Thanks for sharing your story, it's truly amazing what good care and love can do for a horse. Your mare has been through a lot, but she seems to have come out beautifully.
If you really want a foal from this mare, why not breed her? Your vet has already told you that her general soundness AND her breeding soundness are both good. My suggestion is that you take her to another vet, preferably an equine reproductive specialist, and have her evaluated again -- it's okay, your vet won't be angry, NO good vet or doctor will ever be offended by a patient seeking a second opinion. THEN you'll have enough information to allow you to make an informed decision.
After that, take your time. You don't have to breed her this month, or even this year -- be sure that you are ready for a foal, that you can handle a foal, and that your facilities are made as foal-safe as possible. The kind of fencing that works well for adult horses is often unsuitable for foals, for instance, so you may need to put up different fencing around one or two pastures. If you can bring in another mare and foal, or find someplace that your foal could grow up outdoors, playing with other foals, you and your future foal will be much better off.
Here are two books that you should have: Blessed Are The Broodmares and Blessed Are The Foals
Both are by a veterinarian, M. Phyllis Lose, and both are easy to read and understand, and ought to be required reading for anyone who wants to breed a foal.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck! If both vets give you the "go-ahead", the chances of a problem foaling should be no greater than average. I can certainly understand why you would want a foal from this very special mare.
Jessica
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