Freak Accidents

[Maureen]

Hi, I bought a connemara mare in clifden 4 years ago. She has excellent bloodlines with such sires as Killyreagh Kim and Callowfeenish Mairtin going back to Abbeyleix Owen and Carna Bobby. We crossed her with Westside Mirah. The inbreeding was at 3.5% according to the CPBS site. We've had 2 colt foals from her and she's in foal again (due in May 2010).

The 1st colt was born in June 07 and was quite a weak foal. He was only coming into himself when at 3 months old he got spooked in the field and got caught in a ditch. His poor heart couldn't take the strain and he died that same day.

The 2nd colt was botn in June 08 and again was quite a weak foal. We nearly lost him on three seperate occasions before he was six months old. He just wasn't thriving. Our vet told us to keep him stabled over the winter, which we did, and he really improved. Proving himself to be a fine looking animal. Over the weekend he got caught by his headcollar on the drinker in the field and cut the whole belly of himself. He was in such a bad way had to be put down.

Is this just two freak accidents or what? Are we breeding with the wrong stallion?

[Maureen]

Any help or advice please!!!!!!!!!!

[Patricia]

Hi Maureen- I would not blame the sire, if his off got hurt by an accident- one caught in a ditch and one hurt by his headcollar and had to be put down then. We fence our young and playfull horses in wooden fences and electric fences in front of it on big gras only pastures. So no risk they run into anything unexpected. Headcollars we use only, when we work with the horses or are at least close with them- its always a risk to let them alone in a field with headcollars on them... Has your vet checked (and regular dewormed) your mare and her babies for worms? The coat is looking as if the pictured colt might have some. And do you provide the mommy and her baby with enough additional minerals at pregnancy and later on... Just my thoughts... Fingers crossed for your next baby to come! Patty

[Lucinda]

Hi Maureen,

Really sorry to hear that, I'd say you're devastated. I think though it's a complete freak accident.

[patrick blake]

Hi Maureen, I am very sorry to read of your losses.I expierienced similiar losses on an on-going basis for many years until I eventually identified the actual cause of the problem,(the losses were only the symptom):I would suggest you look up Larry Cummins at Please Pray For Us website.These problems do not resolve themselves but once dealt with can be consigned to history:

Maureen said:

Any help or advice please!!!!!!!!!!

[Judith Johnson]

I had a mare who had a stillborn foal. Next time she was in foal we checked endometrial thickness. Unlike humans, most other mammals keep the endometrium they are born with. So if there is endometrial insuffiency - and hence placental failure resulting in weak foals then it may be an ongoing problem Doesn't sound like a genetic problem though - just very bad luck. I'm sorry.

Maureen said:

Any help or advice please!!!!!!!!!!