Newborn foals and their problems, with Lynne Crowden

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The dream of breeding a gorgeous foal can be fraught with difficulties, not least, following birth. Breeder Lynne Crowden introduces us a selection of her 2010 newborns at the Woodlander Stud. From just 36 hours old to 3 weeks, the assortment of problems that kept her up at night included foals that were too large inside the womb, to limb deviations and a severed umbilical chord. Talking to Fiona Price, Lynne explains what's normal and what isn't. She says, "the devil is in the detail; it's important to give everything the best chance and to do the right thing at the right time". The foals are utterly enchanting and Lynne's insights invaluable.

Comments

Laura T 15 Jul 2010 That third foal has the longest legs I've ever seen. Thanks so much for sharing.

Qwerty 10 Jul 2010 Thankyou so much, fab video and very interesting. What a shame about the foal, esspecially when his mother is so good!

woodlander 5 Jul 2010 As I spoke to Fiona on Saturday re the sad ending for this foal, I reflect that you never get used to this at an emotional level when you see the determination that is there to live. But I also reflect that we are now breeding something around 280 foals and mostly things go pretty well. In all those foalings, we have only had three born with the sort of extreme conformational issues of this one: three with the chord around the neck and miscarried early; two "dummy" foals and three that I can remember with relatively immediate post natal infections (about 6 weeks)including a kidney problem). I reflect that compared with people, we are also more successful at getting mares in foal and perhaps we push more than nature intended. I believe we understand relatively little about the impact of weather and grass conditions on conception and subsequent foaling and foal quality(although I am sure there are studies). I think that we can understand a 5% "failure" rate although it is never as understandable at the real and individual level. So, for those of you breeding out there, it is mostly good news and that is what I hoped would come across in the video. For most foals there are some minor limb issues that correct quickly with care and containment. Dio, sadly,had a number of issues but the disproportionate size of the whole foal and particularly his hocks, was never a good sign. Thank you all for your good wishes.

Adastra 4 Jul 2010 How very sad. It was so generous of Lynne to share her experience in this way and to give us the opportunity to see the sort of issues that can arise. You breed the best to the best then hope for the best - but then despite the best attention possible things don't always work out. I hope they have better luck next time - they deserve it.

Fiona Price 3 Jul 2010 Dear all, Lynne has just contacted me (as she is travelling) to let me know that sadly, and after much effort, the last little foal in the video that had had all the complications possible, was put down today! She had posted this morning that his chances had slightly improved, but when the vet saw him today, despite further medical intervention earlier in the week, he had developed a secondary inflammation on the enlarged right hock and the bone was moving on bone. This was to be the week to make a decision and it was decided that nothing more could be done. Very sad indeed but better for him than a life of confinement and pain!