Lost a foal - have a nurse mare and/or colostrum

[StarRidgeAcres]

It was a sad night. Sweet Pea had a drop dead gorgeous buckskin colt by Spirit tonight/this morning. He was stuck and I knew I was in trouble. I was alone and scared and fearing for Sweet Pea but somehow I got him out. He was the strongest foal I've ever had - was trying to stand within 5 minutes of birth, had the strongest suck reflex of any newborn I've ever had and just wanted to live. But he was deformed. His front left leg was bent under and had calcified...the vet said he grew that way and there was no tendon or muscle to surgically release. We could have tried, but in my vet's experience it is rare for one to survive this way. I made the decision to put him down about 2 hours after he was born.

He was truly adorable - gorgeous head, and such a will to live. He even nursed while laying down.

So, I have some colostrum and will have more by the morning. I also have a mare that will accept another foal if someone needs one asap in MO.

Here are the only two pics I took of the little angel.

Thanks for letting me share. I really fell in love with him immediately...such a strong personality.

 

[Leeana]

I'm so sorry Parmela

, I just know that Spirit will give you some amazing show babies and cannot wait to see them

:yes

 

[Irish Hills Farm]

Parmela, I'm so sorry this happened

He is absolutely gorgeous.

I hope that from here on out your remaining foals arrive safe and sound and bring much joy to you.

Again sorry this happened to you, my friend.

 

[Barbie]

So sorry Parmela. He was a beautiful boy. What an angel he is now.

((((HUGS))))

Barbie

 

[Kim~Crayonboxminiatures]

So sorry Parmela, I know how difficult that decision must have been. Hugs!

 

[Carolyn R]

I am sorry to hear this. Very hard decision to make, I hope that the rest of your foaling season is uneventful.

 

[barnbum]

Parmela... darn... I'm sorry.

 

[eagles ring farm]

I'm so sorry

 

[bonloubri]

So sorry to hear of your loss. He was such a beautiful baby.

 

[AnnaC]

So very sorry to read about your gorgeous little colt, but together with my sincere sympathy, I would also like to thank you for your brave descision to have him pts, not an easy choice to make, but the correct one (IMO) under the circumstances.

Hugs to you and your little mare - I hope she is ok?

Anna

 

[Connie P]

My sincerest condolences on your loss Parmela.

 

[LittleRedLady]

Sorry for your troubles. What a beautiful angel. My son always asks when his pony will come back. Gizmo died last summer. My husband always tells him when God fixes him. God bless. ~

 

[rcfarm]

So Sorry

he is a angel baby

 

[Jill]

I'm so sorry, Parmela

 

[Becky]

Oh, no, Parmela! So sorry to hear this.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

Thank you all very much for your supportive words. It's been one heck of a night.

Yes, I failed to mention that Sweet Pea will be fine. Somehow, and I sure can not imagine how, she isn't torn or even bruised hardly at all. The vet was amazed and honestly so was I. She was having such a hard time pushing and rolling to reposition; I just knew in my heart it wasn't good. I called the vet and got him on the way but kept working with her. And then just somehow he lossened up and he came out in the "normal" way but with his left front leg bent in half (backwards, underneath him). She actually delivered him that way. I really don't even remember knowing what I was feeling in there. I know we're supposed to feel around and KNOW what we are dealing with, but for some reason my mind went blank and I just pulled when she pushed and he finally came out.

At that time I didn't even know what was the problem. And he was so "alive" and ready to go it even took me a couple of minutes to understand what was wrong. At first I just thought it was a constriction and no big deal, but when I felt on his leg I knew it was not just a constriction. I knew it was bone that was bent and not a joint bent by tendons being too short or something.

The vet came and agreed it wasn't something that could be fixed - even by surgery.

Poor little thing so wanted to live and I guess there are instances of 3-legged horses having a good life, but I chose to not go that route. I feel I made the right decision as he was so struggling to stand and there was no way he was going to. Others may not agree with my choice, but I am at peace with it. And Sweet Pea knew within in seconds of putting him down that he was gone. She licked him one more time and walked away to eat, whereas she had been all over him, cleaning him, urging him to get up and nurse. I did let him nurse a little while laying down and waiting for the vet. He really, really wanted to and I saw no harm in it and why have him struggling to get up with his desire to nurse being so strong. So while both he and Sweet Pea where laying down I put him over by her nipples and he latched on immediately. He had a very, very strong suck reflex. This was the strongest newborn I've personally had. Certainly full-term (337 days) and well muscled in the hip already.

Godspeed little boy.

 

[Charlotte]

Aaaahhh Parmela. I am so very sorry to read this. Just know that you did the right thing to not cause that baby to live a life of difficulty and pain. His short life was pain free and you made the decision to keep it that way. It was the right decision. Bless you. I know it was hard.

And thank you for offering a nurse mare to some other foal in need.

Charlotte

 

[Tiny Hooves]

So sorry

to hear of the loss. Hugs sent your way.

 

[wingnut]

OMG...I think this is even more heartbreaking then having one come stillborn or die due to the red bag. :::sob::::

I am so sorry for your loss. He was simply stunning.

 

[kaykay]

I am so sorry for your loss. You made the right decision.

Kay