What Does the Future Hold for the Arabian Twin Foals, Trouble and Surprise

The beginning of the twins saga begins hereReflections on Foaling Season 2006

Someone asked me in the comments to post about my future plans for these two unusual horses. Frankly, I've spent so much time just trying to get them to the place where they are like other horses, I haven't really thought much about their future.

As a breeder I don't really think about the future of any of my foals. I take care of them and wait for them to grow up. Then I assess them and try to figure out what they want to do and then I try to make that happen. I am guilty of not assessing the fillies quite as readily as I do the colts. I have visions of getting to breed them someday and if I don't get them broke, I don't have to worry too much about them selling.

With the twins it's the focus has always been just trying to get them to normal. While they are healthy now and their leg issues are nearly fixed, there is still the issue of their growth. Unfortunately, I don't have any control over that, all the care in the world isn't going to make them grow to full size. That will be totally up to Mother Nature.

As I have said in the past, I don't expect that the filly, Surprise, will grow to her genetic potential. Crushing Syndrome seems to be the reason that twin horses do not grow to their full size. It is Mother Nature's way of protecting them from the ravages of arthritis that goes hand in hand with Crushing Syndrome. The smaller the animal (weight) on a compromised limb, the less impact the arthritis will have on that limb.

However, the reason I wonder about Surprise at all, is because the experts said she would never be sound. Not only is she sound but she doesn't do things to protect that hock at all. She is a master at sliding stops and rollbacks, not to mention the rearing she does from time to time. All are things you would expect a horse with an injury like Surprise's to never do!

After she engages in such activities, her limbs don't swell and she doesn't show any signs of lameness. The aggressive play doesn't seem to phase her at all. It seems to me if that is possible, it is equally possible she might grown to her full size. But until I know that for sure, I will not put her into any exercises program that calls for forced exercise. And even if she does grow to full size, I don't think I would ever ask her to be a show horse without doing some x-rays and such to establish the exact condition of that hock.

Now with the colt, I think we have a better chance of him growing to normal size. I have been free lunging him with the other yearling and it doesn't seem to cause him any problems. But at any time during this year if it looks to me that he has stopped growing, I will stop that form of exercises because that will mean he has Crushing Syndrome as well.

So I guess what this boils down to for me, is their future depends on their size. If both turn out to be little horses, they'll probably spend their lives here with me. Although I have had inquiries about both of them and will probably continue to do so. I would sell them to the right homes but don't think I would even consider that until the question about their size is answered.

If Surprise does stay with me, I will breed her. There is no reason to believe that she will be anything but an awesome producing broodmare and an excellent mother. True black mares as correct and pretty as Surprise are hard to come by. Not to mention she has an impeccable pedigree. So it would not break my heart to end up with her as part of my broodmare band.

And if it turns out Trouble stays here as well, that will be ok too. They certainly have been an attention getter here and what breeder can't do with a little of that. He is a sweet horse and fun to have around.

There may be lots of questions as to what will happen to these two remarkable young horses but one thing is for sure. They will always have a place in our hearts and we'll be doing whatever is best for them throughout their lives.

The High Cost of Saving Twins