We received this lovely email from Penny Coupland on the18th April 2008
Please find attached pic of my mare Sprite with her new colt, Lindhurst Robello (“ Paisley ”)
I was a little skeptical when I bought the Foal Watch kit – but as a first timer with a much loved, 15 year old maiden mare I wanted to be around if there were any problems. She was waxing up three weeks earlier than her projected date. Camping out on our lorry for up 3 weeks with my eyes glued to the cctv monitor was not going going to be much fun. I managed a few nights when it was below zero and I was already drooping.
Your kit arrived on day 322 of her pregnancy – test was 100 so I could go home and sleep soundly – and did so for two further nights. Day 325 she tested at just under 200. Day 326 she tested at 250 in the morning and 275 in the evening so I stayed nearby. Day 327 she tested at 500 in the morning so I knew to stay with her all day and my horsey husband was more than happy to stay over too as it was a dead cert.
That evening, at 10:30 pm we saw her paw the ground on the monitor. She turned to look at her sides and we were with her in seconds – head collar and tail bandage were already on thanks to the test – which was just as well as her waters started to break in moments.
We started the clock and after 2 mins the first foot appeared. Then ….. nothing.
Sprite rolled and strained for another 10 mins and I called the vet who set off immediately. 10 more minutes and Sprite was getting nowhere – so we called the vet again. She instructed us on how to carefully stretch the birth canal and feel for another foot and with help it appeared. 10 more minutes and nothing else so the vet instructed us on how to feel for a nose and as I encouraged Sprite – she pushed and my husband pulled and the head and shoulders were released and then the rest of the foal AND the placenta with the cord still pulsing and Sprite bleeding badly – it was awful.
The vet was, by this time, only minutes away and we kept the foal still and warm till Nicola arrived to clamp the cord then cut it, and then stitch up poor Sprite who hadn't a clue that the foal was there.
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