39 replies to this topic

[VanAlma]

For those of you who are not on Facebook with me, we have TWINS! My mom bought a mare from Windy Hill Sport Horses in Nebraska and she just foaled a colt and a filly by Gabriel MCA and out of Tahara Risaana. They are Hadbans of the Sameh sire line. My parents are in love. I need to get my plane ticket up there to see them! The colt is strong and, as my mother puts it, "born walking, talking and ready to go to Kindergarten". He was up in under 20 minutes. The filly not so much but she's getting better with assistance with standing and walking some. It will be touch and go with her for quite some time, but is such an exciting event I just feel compelled to share all over the place with people who appreciate this experience. Attached is a pic of proud papa (my dad LOL) holding Beta (the filly) with Alpha (the colt) looking on. I also attached a pic of Alpha taken maybe 12 hours after birth. He's going to be big, me thinks Thanks for letting me share. I'm so excited!

Please excuse Alpha and Beta's name right now. My dad does stuff like that. I fear those barn names WILL stick. We'll see

Attached Files

•  Risaana's Twins 005.jpg   221.46KB   12 downloads
•  Risaana's Twins 012.jpg   241.5KB   7 downloads

[Heidi]

congrats on the wee ones

[DJ Sheldon]

Congratulations and best of luck with them.  They are beautiful.  Your mom must be in a state of shock.  Do things ever go as expected up there?

[VanAlma]

NO. NOTHING goes as expected - EVER. She is beyond tired and beyond elated. She has been in the same clothes since yesterday AM when she went out to feed and Risaana was in labor. I told her no more babies up there (like she'll listen to me). I can't help but think what a little gift after our loss earlier this year. I only hope the filly makes it.

[diane]

Here's wishing your parents all the very best with these two, Kate.  Although smaller than Alpha - Beta looks good.  Considering Alpha's big he would've taken up so much room and nutriment... Beta has done exceptionally well to get this far   Has Beta being doing all the 'normal' things of new born foals, even with assistance?  How is Risaana coping with two?  Was she a maiden mare? 

So many questions, so far away!

[DJ Sheldon]

Kate - I had a premie here lots of years ago and he was pretty small and unable to really stand on his own for a couple days.  We had to bottle feed him for that first couple days until he could manage to stand on his own.  After that, once he found the milk bar, there was no stopping him.  Your filly doesn't look any smaller or more frail than our colt, so I think her prospects are good.

[VanAlma]

Beta has been doing everything she should do just on a limited basis. She fights to stand up and after she fights for a while my parents help her up, although she has recently gotten up on her own. She will stand and walk with some assistance and they are letting her do more and more on her own when she wants to. She drinks from the bottle and if she gets close enough to mom will nurse. She was actually the first to nurse off her mother as they had given the supplemental colostrum because they were worried Risaana was not going to produce enough milk, but that is not the case. The one thing that is normal is her appetite. She eats regularly and eats a lot. She has already put on weight since yesterday. 

Risaana is not a maiden, thank god for that. She has been the model mare and mama. At one point yesterday, there were 5 people in the stall with them (vet, 2 neighbors and my parents) and not once did she get upset or cause anyone to worry about what she might do. She nickers to them both, although yesterday was following Alpha around the stall but when Beta became more active she took an interest in her as well. No problems with nursing but both have not nursed at the same time so we'll see. Mom says the babies sleep together and she just rests right with them.

I'm awaiting an update call and more pics. Will share when I get them!

[desertrat]

What a great Mom! (Human and horse) Best of Luck!

[Jill Erisman]

Glad to hear the filly is improving Kate:

congratulations!

[VanAlma]

Well, so much for hoping we were in the clear. Beta passed away this morning under my mom's watch. Thanks for all the good thoughts. I was pulling for the little miracle to make it - but it just wasn't meant to be.

[DJ Sheldon]

How awful!  I thought her chances were good as she seemed to be such a fighter.  I'm so sorry for you and your mom and dad.  I was really hoping for a happy ending to this story after the loss suffered a few months ago.

[Roze]

So sorry to hear :(

[Heidi]

I'm so sorry, I came here to see the latest news.

[desertrat]

So sorry for your loss.

[VanAlma]

Thanks, all. It happened how I figured it would. Mom had been feeding her every hour and it was like in 60 minutes she went from being great to not so good. Mom said she wouldn't take much milk so brought her in the house to care for her and keep her warm. She went quickly and quietly - the best way if it's going to happen. My brother went out there and he got video of Alpha playing outside for the first time, which I can not wait to see. His phone call made my day. I'll share the link here when I get to it.

[karin]

oh I am so sorry to hear this. I was following it on the other link. She looked a bit frail to me. Wish your parents all the best in this!

[Avalondales]

Well, so much for hoping we were in the clear. Beta passed away this morning under my mom's watch. Thanks for all the good thoughts. I was pulling for the little miracle to make it - but it just wasn't meant to be.

I am so sorry to hear she didn't make it.  I have been trying to follow her on facebook and very sad t hear she is gone.. Bless your parents for trying to save her... Tracy

[Kat]

So sorry to hear this Kate and for your mom and dad.

[wildcat180]

I'm so sorry to hear this.  It sounded so hopeful that I felt like someone pulled the rug out from under me when I read she passed.  I can imagine how you and your family must feel.

[jmarcan]

...always so devastating to lose a baby or a mare....so sorry.