Hey everyone. There seems to be some confusion and we just wanted to clarify that this was NOT our horse or our decision. We just happened to be at the vet when this was going on. Our veterinarian loves to educate the public on caring for their animals so we thought it was worth showing.
My Morgan mare had twins years ago. They both made it. She raised them both with a little bit of assistance in the beginning with bottle feeding. They both lived long full lives and were really great riding horses.
I bought a mare in foal, the plan was for the foal to go back to her home until weaning the baby. the pregnancy was twins, discovered late, the first was a tiny colt born dead, and a filly that was only s big as a fawn. she grew but didn't have the strength to support her weight and was eventually put down at about 9 months. At delivery the vet did a great job of saving my mare who I rode for the next ten years with gratitude that she was healthy.
@@his4evr2cyou heard the vet. Any mare carrying twins, their life is endangered to the point where they could either be killed by complications or needlessly suffer until they are euthanized. Would you rather someone lose the twins who are nowhere near old enough to be helpful to the owners? Or a horse that is alive and useful to them? They can always get the mare pregnant again once she recovers from the pregnancy termination.
@@simnoe3848 I said it Respectfully : I am prolific until the very end. Regardless of anyone's opinion. If GOD can do other signs and Wonders why not the twins foals? Regardless Of your opinion. That's mine. I know JR didn't put this on to start an argument. So this is all I will say. Happy The Babies are in heaven frolicking now though.
We had a client mare bred to our stallion ultrasound twice - 16 AND 27 days post breeding. One to determine pregnancy and the second one to rule out twins. She foaled a smallish foal and continued to strain. The mare was transported to a large, equine hospital that handles hundreds of breeding mares per year. They determined that the mare had a uterine artery bleed. She and the colt were inpatient for 6 days until the mare was stable enough to return home. She was home 7 days and started laying down and acting colicky and was again straining. The local vet returned on a Sunday night and determined that there was a mass in her uterus, but he didn’t have the ultrasound with him. He returned the next morning and started to take a closer look. It seems that the mare had been carrying a deceased foal around for two weeks postpartum. Miraculously the mare survived and did not get laminitis. In the end the mare owner did everything right and still ended up with twins.
I know this is off topic but y’all are some of the most spiritual people I know. I lost my mom on Monday evening and sure could use some prayers. Thank you and I love all your beautiful horses.
Sorry 😢 u have to go through the loss of a loved one. But they’ll always be a part of u. No one thing can take away ur memories! God bless u n keep u strong! 🙏❤️
This video was so informative...I didn't know how dangerous it was for mares to have twins. That had to be a hard choice to make, but JR is right, your obligation is to the mare 1st & all other options follow. TY for spreading the word.👍
I feel so sad for the pooor unfortunate mare with twins wonder which one it is? Im so sorry i learned something new here yet again i had no idea horses could have twins im sad for her😢❤ i hope the procedure goes ok & she doesnt have any problems from it ❤😢 = its nice to see how all the horses love you & are so friendly & let you pet them all the girls look so beautiful ❤
I had a broodmare who her first four foals were singles, healthy and beautiful.. her last THREE pregnancies were twins. The first set went undiagnosed she was scanned but only one embryo was seen. They came at 300 days and both died shortly after birth. It was heartbreaking they were the most beautiful foals I ever had born on my place. Two buckskin Blanketed Appaloosa fillies. The second and third sets were caught and we attempted to ‘pinch’ one, but both foals were lost both times. After that heart ache I chose not to breed her again.
What a sad story, I am so sorry. You did however make the point the vet was making: that twins in the world of horse breeding is most often a lose-lose situation. For whatever reason your mare was prone to having twins. The absolute best choice was the one you made to never breed her again. ♥
This video shows and explains important things about the consequences of a twin pregnancy in a horse. I had no idea of how, unlike in most species including us, it so rarely succeeds in live births and endangers the mare as well. Thank goodness you caught it so early with the vet’s ultrasound, so that she can be safely cycled without physical or psychological trauma and has another chance in spring. It was very obviously the right thing to do, though sad. Thank you for taking us with you on your spirit-lifting walk among your mares in the sunshine after the medical discussion. From their expressions and movements, they not only had no fear of you, they were happy to see you. I loved how each one said hello in her own way. I can only imagine what subtleties of communication you can read after years of close, loving care. Being among these happy, beautiful horses must lift you up even when stressed or tired. Thank you for sharing them. And congratulations on the subscriber milestone. I’m sure it will continue to climb as more people make the happy discovery of your videos.
I watched twins be born, it was horrible. Both babies passed, and the mare barely made it. Worst foaling i've ever seen...two years later the mare had one foal successfully and had a perfect foaling.
JR, we need to be educated also. Whether we're watching on YT or a farm around us. I try to remind myself, "you're learning, there's so much you don't know and can't see". Thank you!
Unfortunately, we all need to do whatever is best for the health of the horse. Sometimes, the risk is too big. Massive vet bills with problems for the mare or the growth of the foals. Thank you for truthful ❤education ❤🎉🎉
What a tough decision to make. You have such beautiful horses and you can tell how well they are cared for. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas 🎄
I've often wondered why, since most horse twin pregnancies end in tragedy, why horses even get pregnant with twins. It's heartbreaking to think about. I feel bad for the mare, those 2 little lives and the owner. 😥💔
Evolution and accidents in how physiology work. Mammals mostly develop around the center from both sides of the spinal cord until the developing embryos halves meet in the front. This is one reason that mammals have 2 of many major organs such as kidneys, lungs, ovaries, testicle. The evolutionary forebears of the equines was a smaller, dog sized mammal, also an herbivores and in was prey. Fore a species to survive they need to replace and increase population and one thing that can very much aid that is being able to produce and nurture multiple offspring in each pregnancy. This is why you see some mammals canines, felines, rodents, etc with long lines of beast tissue running the length of body with multiple teats as their physiology is to produce multiples with each pregnancy. The fore runners of the modern horse are suspected to have a physiology more like that, and giving birth to multiples. As Evolution changed them and and they developed and evolved into a larger animal they carried young longer and once born young developed slower needing nurture longer and this drove changes away from multiple to singletons as the resources required to raise an offspring until they could care for themselves was longer. As they evolved things changed in the physiology away from an animal having only two teats, as only one offspring was the expected number. Only reason they still have two is how a mammal develops as an embryo as mentioned above, so the body is symmetrical. Its probably is alsoca back up system in case one ovary does not work, or one teat is damaged or fails to develop properly. Large mammals, from horses to cattle to elephants, great apes, most primates, and humans have a physiology that works to normally keep conception to one offspring each pregnancy by hormonally managing maturation of only one egg in one ovary for release and shutting down maturing any other eggs that may have started to mature, and a system where once a fertilized egg implants in the uterus the uterus becomes hostile to another implanting. In the normal course of things, this results is one offspring per pregnancy. However , even with all the Evolution that has occurred to keep larger mammals from having multiples not all if the evolutionary changes are still fool proof. An fertilized egg always has that rare chance, which was helpful back when that mammal was at a evolutionary point where it needed litters if offspring, an egg completely dividing into two or four and still happen. And there are times that multiple eggs sre matured and released so close in time, and if fertilized, cab both implant and grow as the physiology can't tell if it's one or two. Humans, great apes and primates have an easier course in having and rearing twins, mainly due to the fact that as omnivores their resource amounts are great enough to support the mother, and they infants are born smaller in percentage than to the large herd dwelling herbivores. So horses can still have twins because of accidents that do not completely prevent multiple births due to things in the past, even though physically they evolved to not do well carry more than one. There are those that think one reason that twins are such a disaster in horses, and even will take the mare is still Evolution at work culling from the species those that still have traits that allow for twins to start with. Twins not surviving removes the risk that they carry on passing this ability on and why mares often do not survive is to also stop passing a trait on. On a case like this, where there is not a space to be felt between the amniotic sacs is usually a sign of identical twins, an egg that twinned very early on and they share a placenta and sac, in which case there is no way to reduce the pregnancy to one without losing both anyway.
Congratulations on the 100k viewership. You deserve it for all the amount of time and effort you put into these videos, IMO. I will never likely own a horse but I've grown to respect them thanks to your videos. As for the twin video information, I say, this is real life and problems have to be dealt with sensitively and practically. Catching the twin fetuses early and making such a decision would be heartbreaking for some, but to do nothing would be worse, I think. I would rather learn about the care and breeding of horses by watching your videos than reading a dozen books by experts because I, the viewer, can see up close, and experience a little of the herd mentality, too. Many thanks.
So happy for your subscriber milestone. This was very educational. Glad you ended it with a look at the beautiful horses. The colors on Classy are lovely.
I know how heartbreaking this is, but mama comes first. I hope nobody gives you grief about this. God Bless you for taking care of your beautiful fur babies. You all take care & merry Christmas to all of you! Much love & God Bless(Kathy from western New York)🐴❤️💕🎁🙋🏻♀️🎄🐴🐶🐈
What a terrible, heartbreaking decision to have to make, but at least it was an informed one. I had no clue it was so dangerous for a mare to be pregnant with twins. Thanks for another great video, even though it was a sad one in the beginning. Merry Christmas, from my family to yours🎄🎄🎄
I know life isn't easy, but when it comes to the health of the mom it does matter, i am sad about the twins but i know how dangerous that can be for anyone, I still think jasmine is a pretty name for the new mare, and I pray for healthy babies in the new year, Happy holidays to you and the horse community.
Thank you for your commitment to proper guardianship of your gorgeous horses. It is a lot of responsibility, but it seems a skill that’s innate to your ancestry and you truly love it. It’s a beautiful thing to observe, and I appreciate it very much! The strolls on the property are SUCH a treat 🥰
This was a great video. Being an animal gardian most of my life, I've had to make really devastating but loving decisions about their viability. It comes down to what's best for them. Thank you again and blessings to you all!
Very interesting and Very educational. I am a horse owner ( always been geldings) and I never knew any of this. Thank You for the schooling, Homestead Horsemanship 👍🐴
Very sad to lose foals. Hope the mare will be ok. I appreciate you and the vet taking the time to explain the situation to us, the onlookers, who may have no idea of the danger to the mare (I sure didn't),
Thank you for the topic. I knew of a mare that had such a big baby that it was really cramped. There was no way twins could have existed. Didn't know about the foundering risk of the mare with twins.
@@mariagonzalez5119 agree. If I ever had a horse( I never will) I would chose to take care of my horse's health to the best of my ability according to vets advice
that's interesting! I worked at a farm where we had multiple sets of twins born. They were born premature of course but the farm had a bottle feeding protocol as it happened every few years.
Jr, thanks for sharing this video. Life means dealing with the good and bad and it’s good to see all aspects. Hello to all the horses and merry Christmas!
Thanks for sharing this news . The explanation of dangers helps but doesn't make it easier. Prayers for mare to have healthy results. Blessings 🙏 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Health and happiness in 2024.
I do agree with getting Ultrasounds!!!! However, I grew up on a cattle ranch in the 1970s - 1980s, and we had two sets of twin foals. Back then there were no portable ultrasounds in our area, so we didn’t even know the mares were carrying twins until they were in labor. We always gave pregnant mares extra nutritional support and monitored them closely throughout their pregnancy and until their foal was weaned. Of course the mares that had twins got extra support, and in both cases we had healthy babies and healthy mares that went on to have more foals once they had a couple of years off. The foals were born small, but once they were able to eat forage, they quickly caught up. I admit that I am not a vet, and two sets of twins doesn’t make me an authority on the subject. However, it has made me skeptical of the idea that twins are automatically a disaster. They do carry extra risk, and you will have to watch momma like a hawk, but that’s not any different that multiples in a human pregnancy. As a result, I think the whole twin issue gets blown way out of proportion.
Many breeders, like myself, and veterinarians will tell you that what you experienced was definitely the exception to the rule. You were very lucky. My mares were routinely scoped soon after breeding, and if one had been carrying twins, the Vet would have routinely pinched it and told me about it after the fact. It's just what is routinely done. I didn't have a mare that ever got pregnant with twins, but did experience one who slipped her single foal. I would rather it had been the former, and it was pinched than to have a mare abort later on.
@@suzanneyoung8011 going by the comments here of people who know someone or had a horse themselves which had twins where things turned out fine or not.. it seems to be about half the time it's turned out okay. (I'm not sure for myself though if I'd like to take a half a change risk).
@@tanyabrown9839 well you can't rely on comments. I've seen a number of YT videos that feature healthy twin foals. But nobody ever talks about the lost foals and mares because of twin pregnancies.The statistics prove otherwise. It's nowhere near 50%. I believe J.R. or the Vet mentioned something about in this video.
Times like this, it's between the vet and the owner of the horse. Nobody else's business. And yes, it's very sad but thank God there is the technology nowadays to save the mare. Thank you for sharing. I imagine you thought twice about it.
It's a fact of life, especially farm life, that not every event is joyous, nor every decision easy. Thank you for respecting your viewers by not shielding us from the difficult facts of life on a horse farm.
Thank you for helping us understand why the tough decisions are made. It's always sad to see something like this, but understanding that the mom could lose her life if left as is, it makes it understandable.
I've wondered why I've never seen twins in the horse world, of which I'm not intimately connected, I'm more of an onlooker. Thanks for the education, and glad to hear of your and others' success!
I didnt catch that it was someone else's mare with twins. I kept waiting for you to namedrop one of yours. Sorry for your friend. This is very important for people to know tho. Thank you for always being honest and upfront with us.
It's amazing how many viewers didn't listen very carefully and thought the mare was one of yours!! As always your videos are very educational. It's one of the reasons I love your channel. Shae at Free Spirit Equestrian is also very good at educating her viewers as well. FSE is my other favorite channel. I'm so happy that you made your 100K goal. Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉!! It was a very nice walk in the pasture greeting all the gals. Interesting to see that some of them are jealous when you are talking and petting another mare. "That's MY JR, get away from him! I'm gonna bite you!" 😂😂
This was a great educational video even if it was sad, it is part of nature and it is not worth the lost of goals or the mare. Or the negative impact the pregnancy could have on the mare. You are a great horse guardian taking care of the mare. I loved the ending, those ladies are all beautiful!
Thanks, and thanks to your Vet for sharing that information with your viewers. It is a sad topic, but it helps give us more understanding - about horses and the sometimes difficult decisions you must have to make. Congratulations on your subscriber milestone! All the best!! 😊
I appreciate you sharing information that may very well save someone’s horse. The choices one has to make in the service of love are sometimes very hard.
I have so much to learn about animals and realize folks can 'anthropomorphise' ( give human qualities) to them. What a compassionate and clear example of how as human stewards...we must make the kindest practical decision for their well-being. Thankyou so much for your heartful share. ❤
@@bonsaidouglas9180 I am aware that life and death share the same thread. I believe that everything born is at the creators hand. Compassion whoever has gotten through this is only a reflection of my heart. So, I am exhausted from reasons that are unknown to you, nonetheless I did get the jist of the moment. Where is it said that I cannot compassionate with those that have gone through this, including the animals. Maybe your lesson is in your own question for self reflection.
I'm a little late, but the power was out for 3 days here in Maine due to a huge wind and rain storm - congratulations on your reaching your 100,000 subscribers!
I'm so sorry but thank you for educating me I really had no idea that teuns were such a problem ( I'm a twin myself). You obviously love your horses they are lucky to have such a responsible and adoring owner
I have so much respect for you. It is always important to understand and remember that their lives are in our hands. A huge responsibility. They are worth every drop of sweat though.❤
JR you are the best. I appreciate your thinking of out feelings. I was just telling my 37 year old that she was a twin but i only carried that baby a few months.❤
I think it’s wonderfully brave that you told her. As she got older and older, I imagine that decision whether to tell her got harder. I am a twin, and the same age as your daughter. The older I get them more I think that our formative years or even formative months are very impactful on the mind. Her basic, forming fetus may have had no awareness of sharing a womb mate - but you never know. I hope she is glad you told her, and that maybe she can hold a special place in her heart for her twin ,who; couldn’t quite go the distance💕
I read an article about an obstetrician (who specialised in twin births) who wanted to implore to mothers pregnant with twins to ALWAYS ask the clinician doing your ultrasounds, whether the twins share a placenta. If they do, then, it is important to track there, develop development to make sure they don’t develop TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) it is deadly ,but ,if caught in the early stages-it can be reversed. He also encouraged them to ask if the twins share an amniotic sack- there is a chance of their cords entangling around the other (albeit rare).
I'm an ultrasound tech. Twin pregnancies are immediately determined "high risk" and diligently monitored. We check the number of Placenta, amniotic sacs, umbilical cord placement into the Placenta, amongst other general structure identification and measurements to rule out genetic disorders. They are put on a schedule to track growth and estimated weight throughout the pregnancy. They definitely get extra attention.
Hey everyone. There seems to be some confusion and we just wanted to clarify that this was NOT our horse or our decision. We just happened to be at the vet when this was going on. Our veterinarian loves to educate the public on caring for their animals so we thought it was worth showing.
My Morgan mare had twins years ago. They both made it. She raised them both with a little bit of assistance in the beginning with bottle feeding. They both lived long full lives and were really great riding horses.
Beautiful!!! Love to hear this🥰
Your mare is the one in 10,000 to be successful like the vet said! ☘
A true miracle ❤
I bought a mare in foal, the plan was for the foal to go back to her home until weaning the baby. the pregnancy was twins, discovered late, the first was a tiny colt born dead, and a filly that was only s big as a fawn. she grew but didn't have the strength to support her weight and was eventually put down at about 9 months. At delivery the vet did a great job of saving my mare who I rode for the next ten years with gratitude that she was healthy.
Oh wow, I'm so glad she was okay and had a good life with you!
So sad. Glad your mare survived!
That's great more content about training your Foxtrotters,learning so much watching your channel. I have a question who is Bay Lady's sire?
If we could only be as humane toward humans. 😢 Glad you made the decision to save the mare.
Oh my gosh, that is so damn sad. I am so so so sorry...😢
Very interesting to hear about the danger of horses having twin foals...i had no idea ...🐎
💔 saving the mom is the best path. It is so sad, but necessary.
Congratulations on the 100,000! 🤠
RIP to the twins 😢 and I hope the mare makes a full recovery 🙏 Thank you for educating ❤
Resp😢I don't agree It's Abortion. Sad 😭 Day. Why can't GOD save them .
@@his4evr2c God made them
@@his4evr2cyou heard the vet. Any mare carrying twins, their life is endangered to the point where they could either be killed by complications or needlessly suffer until they are euthanized. Would you rather someone lose the twins who are nowhere near old enough to be helpful to the owners? Or a horse that is alive and useful to them? They can always get the mare pregnant again once she recovers from the pregnancy termination.
@@simnoe3848 I said it Respectfully : I am prolific until the very end. Regardless of anyone's opinion. If GOD can do other signs and Wonders why not the twins foals? Regardless Of your opinion. That's mine. I know JR didn't put this on to start an argument. So this is all I will say. Happy The Babies are in heaven frolicking now though.
💯
That's a hell of a thing to have to do but that's the realty of animal husbandry, having to make difficult decisions.
Also, Congrats on the 100K!
It’s wonderful that modern vet services can prevent the loss of the mama. It’s sad to lose the pregnancy, but safety first.❤❤❤
We had a client mare bred to our stallion ultrasound twice - 16 AND 27 days post breeding. One to determine pregnancy and the second one to rule out twins. She foaled a smallish foal and continued to strain. The mare was transported to a large, equine hospital that handles hundreds of breeding mares per year. They determined that the mare had a uterine artery bleed. She and the colt were inpatient for 6 days until the mare was stable enough to return home. She was home 7 days and started laying down and acting colicky and was again straining. The local vet returned on a Sunday night and determined that there was a mass in her uterus, but he didn’t have the ultrasound with him. He returned the next morning and started to take a closer look. It seems that the mare had been carrying a deceased foal around for two weeks postpartum. Miraculously the mare survived and did not get laminitis. In the end the mare owner did everything right and still ended up with twins.
My God that is a terrible, sad story. So glad the two survived!💕
I know this is off topic but y’all are some of the most spiritual people I know. I lost my mom on Monday evening and sure could use some prayers. Thank you and I love all your beautiful horses.
Sorry 😢 u have to go through the loss of a loved one. But they’ll always be a part of u. No one thing can take away ur memories! God bless u n keep u strong! 🙏❤️
I'm sending u a huge hug from London. So sorry to hear this.
Sending you love and light. Sorry for your loss.❤️❤️❤️🇨🇦
I am very sorry to hear this.
Sorry for your loss . Losing your Mom is a special kind of sorrow. 💕
This video was so informative...I didn't know how dangerous it was for mares to have twins. That had to be a hard choice to make, but JR is right, your obligation is to the mare 1st & all other options follow. TY for spreading the word.👍
In life, whether animal or man, there is laughter and there are tears, but there should be love guiding the way.
In ~1972, my friend's blind mare had twins... both healthy and thrived...
🦋💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🦋
Love to hear this❤️
I really loved seeing you walk through and talk to all the horses and witness their personalities in the herd.
I feel so sad for the pooor unfortunate mare with twins wonder which one it is? Im so sorry i learned something new here yet again i had no idea horses could have twins im sad for her😢❤ i hope the procedure goes ok & she doesnt have any problems from it ❤😢 = its nice to see how all the horses love you & are so friendly & let you pet them all the girls look so beautiful ❤
I don't have horses, but thank you for the education of twin births!
I had a broodmare who her first four foals were singles, healthy and beautiful.. her last THREE pregnancies were twins. The first set went undiagnosed she was scanned but only one embryo was seen. They came at 300 days and both died shortly after birth. It was heartbreaking they were the most beautiful foals I ever had born on my place. Two buckskin Blanketed Appaloosa fillies. The second and third sets were caught and we attempted to ‘pinch’ one, but both foals were lost both times. After that heart ache I chose not to breed her again.
What a sad story, I am so sorry. You did however make the point the vet was making: that twins in the world of horse breeding is most often a lose-lose situation. For whatever reason your mare was prone to having twins. The absolute best choice was the one you made to never breed her again. ♥
This video shows and explains important things about the consequences of a twin pregnancy in a horse. I had no idea of how, unlike in most species including us, it so rarely succeeds in live births and endangers the mare as well. Thank goodness you caught it so early with the vet’s ultrasound, so that she can be safely cycled without physical or psychological trauma and has another chance in spring. It was very obviously the right thing to do, though sad.
Thank you for taking us with you on your spirit-lifting walk among your mares in the sunshine after the medical discussion. From their expressions and movements, they not only had no fear of you, they were happy to see you. I loved how each one said hello in her own way. I can only imagine what subtleties of communication you can read after years of close, loving care. Being among these happy, beautiful horses must lift you up even when stressed or tired. Thank you for sharing them.
And congratulations on the subscriber milestone. I’m sure it will continue to climb as more people make the happy discovery of your videos.
In the not so distant past, multiple births in humans usually ended in tragedy.
It wasn't their horse with the twin pregnancy. Rewatch the video from the beginning.
As the mother of twins I can't imagine carrying something the size of a foal. Thank you for such a informative video
I watched twins be born, it was horrible. Both babies passed, and the mare barely made it. Worst foaling i've ever seen...two years later the mare had one foal successfully and had a perfect foaling.
JR, we need to be educated also. Whether we're watching on YT or a farm around us. I try to remind myself, "you're learning, there's so much you don't know and can't see". Thank you!
Interesting video and a lovely day to walk among the horses. Thanks JR .
Didn't know it was dangerous to the mare too. Thanks for the education. Your horses are looking great. Congrats on hitting your goal.🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
So sad for the Mare&owner 😢
Unfortunately, we all need to do whatever is best for the health of the horse. Sometimes, the risk is too big. Massive vet bills with problems for the mare or the growth of the foals. Thank you for truthful ❤education ❤🎉🎉
What a tough decision to make. You have such beautiful horses and you can tell how well they are cared for. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas 🎄
Congratulations on reaching 100,000 Subscribers 🎉 I enjoy & learn from watching you.
I've often wondered why, since most horse twin pregnancies end in tragedy, why horses even get pregnant with twins. It's heartbreaking to think about. I feel bad for the mare, those 2 little lives and the owner. 😥💔
Yeah. Kinda our question as well.
Evolution and accidents in how physiology work. Mammals mostly develop around the center from both sides of the spinal cord until the developing embryos halves meet in the front. This is one reason that mammals have 2 of many major organs such as kidneys, lungs, ovaries, testicle.
The evolutionary forebears of the equines was a smaller, dog sized mammal, also an herbivores and in was prey. Fore a species to survive they need to replace and increase population and one thing that can very much aid that is being able to produce and nurture multiple offspring in each pregnancy. This is why you see some mammals canines, felines, rodents, etc with long lines of beast tissue running the length of body with multiple teats as their physiology is to produce multiples with each pregnancy. The fore runners of the modern horse are suspected to have a physiology more like that, and giving birth to multiples.
As Evolution changed them and and they developed and evolved into a larger animal they carried young longer and once born young developed slower needing nurture longer and this drove changes away from multiple to singletons as the resources required to raise an offspring until they could care for themselves was longer. As they evolved things changed in the physiology away from an animal having only two teats, as only one offspring was the expected number. Only reason they still have two is how a mammal develops as an embryo as mentioned above, so the body is symmetrical. Its probably is alsoca back up system in case one ovary does not work, or one teat is damaged or fails to develop properly. Large mammals, from horses to cattle to elephants, great apes, most primates, and humans have a physiology that works to normally keep conception to one offspring each pregnancy by hormonally managing maturation of only one egg in one ovary for release and shutting down maturing any other eggs that may have started to mature, and a system where once a fertilized egg implants in the uterus the uterus becomes hostile to another implanting. In the normal course of things, this results is one offspring per pregnancy. However , even with all the Evolution that has occurred to keep larger mammals from having multiples not all if the evolutionary changes are still fool proof. An fertilized egg always has that rare chance, which was helpful back when that mammal was at a evolutionary point where it needed litters if offspring, an egg completely dividing into two or four and still happen. And there are times that multiple eggs sre matured and released so close in time, and if fertilized, cab both implant and grow as the physiology can't tell if it's one or two.
Humans, great apes and primates have an easier course in having and rearing twins, mainly due to the fact that as omnivores their resource amounts are great enough to support the mother, and they infants are born smaller in percentage than to the large herd dwelling herbivores.
So horses can still have twins because of accidents that do not completely prevent multiple births due to things in the past, even though physically they evolved to not do well carry more than one. There are those that think one reason that twins are such a disaster in horses, and even will take the mare is still Evolution at work culling from the species those that still have traits that allow for twins to start with. Twins not surviving removes the risk that they carry on passing this ability on and why mares often do not survive is to also stop passing a trait on.
On a case like this, where there is not a space to be felt between the amniotic sacs is usually a sign of identical twins, an egg that twinned very early on and they share a placenta and sac, in which case there is no way to reduce the pregnancy to one without losing both anyway.
Congratulations on the 100k viewership. You deserve it for all the amount of time and effort you put into these videos, IMO. I will never likely own a horse but I've grown to respect them thanks to your videos. As for the twin video information, I say, this is real life and problems have to be dealt with sensitively and practically. Catching the twin fetuses early and making such a decision would be heartbreaking for some, but to do nothing would be worse, I think. I would rather learn about the care and breeding of horses by watching your videos than reading a dozen books by experts because I, the viewer, can see up close, and experience a little of the herd mentality, too. Many thanks.
So happy for your subscriber milestone. This was very educational. Glad you ended it with a look at the beautiful horses. The colors on Classy are lovely.
I know how heartbreaking this is, but mama comes first. I hope nobody gives you grief about this. God Bless you for taking care of your beautiful fur babies. You all take care & merry Christmas to all of you! Much love & God Bless(Kathy from western New York)🐴❤️💕🎁🙋🏻♀️🎄🐴🐶🐈
It wasn't their horse..they were at the vet and the vet told them what they'd just seen. The mare is not part of the Rosa family stock .
@@kimmarievan-ever6599 yes I understand this mare wasn’t theirs. It’s still heartbreaking
What a terrible, heartbreaking decision to have to make, but at least it was an informed one. I had no clue it was so dangerous for a mare to be pregnant with twins. Thanks for another great video, even though it was a sad one in the beginning. Merry Christmas, from my family to yours🎄🎄🎄
I know life isn't easy, but when it comes to the health of the mom it does matter, i am sad about the twins but i know how dangerous that can be for anyone, I still think jasmine is a pretty name for the new mare, and I pray for healthy babies in the new year, Happy holidays to you and the horse community.
Thank you for your commitment to proper guardianship of your gorgeous horses. It is a lot of responsibility, but it seems a skill that’s innate to your ancestry and you truly love it. It’s a beautiful thing to observe, and I appreciate it very much! The strolls on the property are SUCH a treat 🥰
This was a great video. Being an animal gardian most of my life, I've had to make really devastating but loving decisions about their viability. It comes down to what's best for them. Thank you again and blessings to you all!
Very interesting and Very educational. I am a horse owner ( always been geldings) and I never knew any of this. Thank You for the schooling, Homestead Horsemanship 👍🐴
Heartbreaking about the twin foals. Nice to see your mares again. Im looking forward to seeing you work with Classy...I just LOVE that horse.
Very sad to lose foals. Hope the mare will be ok. I appreciate you and the vet taking the time to explain the situation to us, the onlookers, who may have no idea of the danger to the mare (I sure didn't),
Thank you for the topic. I knew of a mare that had such a big baby that it was really cramped. There was no way twins could have existed. Didn't know about the foundering risk of the mare with twins.
Thanks for the lessons, JR. What a great RUclips channel. Merry Christmas to everyone at the Homestead!
Excellent educational topic. The new girl and all your horses are just beautiful!
Your horses are looking good going into Winter...their coats shine beautifully...💜🐴
So sad! 😢
We understand that you have to make the right decision!!
Thank you for explaining!! I always learn from your channel.
God Bless! 🙌
It wasn't his horse. He stated that early in the video.
@@lorettarussell3235
Thank goodness 🙏
Either way, it is sad!
@@mariagonzalez5119 agree.
If I ever had a horse( I never will) I would chose to take care of my horse's health to the best of my ability according to vets advice
Congratulations on 100K subscribers❤🇬🇧
that's interesting! I worked at a farm where we had multiple sets of twins born. They were born premature of course but the farm had a bottle feeding protocol as it happened every few years.
Jr, thanks for sharing this video. Life means dealing with the good and bad and it’s good to see all aspects. Hello to all the horses and merry Christmas!
Congratulations on reaching 100K subscribers! Well done! 👏🏼🎉🥰
I am sure the Lord knows your heart
🙏❤️ Love from Scotland ❤️🙏
Those are very good words. I am in agreement. Hello Scotland love from California ❤🏖🏕🏜
Can't hide from GOD ✝️ 🤣
@@bonsaidouglas9180 I could just see his heart drop knowing the two fouls would have to be sacrificed for the health of the mother. Painful
@@Captain-Donut this is NOT one of the Rosa's horses. She was at the vet at the same time. Coincidence. JR just used her as a lesson . 🤠
@@bonsaidouglas9180 so sorry for the misunderstanding. But still a hard decision all the same.
Thanks for sharing this news . The explanation of dangers helps but doesn't make it easier. Prayers for mare to have healthy results. Blessings 🙏 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Health and happiness in 2024.
I understood this was not your horse from what you said at the beginning of the video, but it's sad that this happens.
God bless.
Correct and yes it is sad.
I do agree with getting Ultrasounds!!!! However, I grew up on a cattle ranch in the 1970s - 1980s, and we had two sets of twin foals. Back then there were no portable ultrasounds in our area, so we didn’t even know the mares were carrying twins until they were in labor. We always gave pregnant mares extra nutritional support and monitored them closely throughout their pregnancy and until their foal was weaned. Of course the mares that had twins got extra support, and in both cases we had healthy babies and healthy mares that went on to have more foals once they had a couple of years off. The foals were born small, but once they were able to eat forage, they quickly caught up.
I admit that I am not a vet, and two sets of twins doesn’t make me an authority on the subject. However, it has made me skeptical of the idea that twins are automatically a disaster. They do carry extra risk, and you will have to watch momma like a hawk, but that’s not any different that multiples in a human pregnancy. As a result, I think the whole twin issue gets blown way out of proportion.
Many breeders, like myself, and veterinarians will tell you that what you experienced was definitely the exception to the rule. You were very lucky. My mares were routinely scoped soon after breeding, and if one had been carrying twins, the Vet would have routinely pinched it and told me about it after the fact. It's just what is routinely done. I didn't have a mare that ever got pregnant with twins, but did experience one who slipped her single foal. I would rather it had been the former, and it was pinched than to have a mare abort later on.
@@suzanneyoung8011 going by the comments here of people who know someone or had a horse themselves which had twins where things turned out fine or not.. it seems to be about half the time it's turned out okay. (I'm not sure for myself though if I'd like to take a half a change risk).
@@tanyabrown9839 well you can't rely on comments. I've seen a number of YT videos that feature healthy twin foals. But nobody ever talks about the lost foals and mares because of twin pregnancies.The statistics prove otherwise. It's nowhere near 50%. I believe J.R. or the Vet mentioned something about in this video.
Bless you for making loving, caring decisions for all the animals on your farm.
Loved the tour after the educational info.
Times like this, it's between the vet and the owner of the horse. Nobody else's business. And yes, it's very sad but thank God there is the technology nowadays to save the mare. Thank you for sharing. I imagine you thought twice about it.
It's a fact of life, especially farm life, that not every event is joyous, nor every decision easy. Thank you for respecting your viewers by not shielding us from the difficult facts of life on a horse farm.
Congrats to 100k
Wow, never knew that about twins. You guys seem very informative to all matters regarding the horses. The horses are lucky to be cared for so well.
Thank you for helping us understand why the tough decisions are made. It's always sad to see something like this, but understanding that the mom could lose her life if left as is, it makes it understandable.
How about the name “Daisy” for Oliver’s new mate? Love your channel and the loving care you give to your horses. And your land is beautiful!
Congrats on 100K!
Congratulations on 100k
I've wondered why I've never seen twins in the horse world, of which I'm not intimately connected, I'm more of an onlooker. Thanks for the education, and glad to hear of your and others' success!
I didnt catch that it was someone else's mare with twins. I kept waiting for you to namedrop one of yours. Sorry for your friend. This is very important for people to know tho. Thank you for always being honest and upfront with us.
It's amazing how many viewers didn't listen very carefully and thought the mare was one of yours!!
As always your videos are very educational. It's one of the reasons I love your channel. Shae at Free Spirit Equestrian is also very good at educating her viewers as well. FSE is my other favorite channel.
I'm so happy that you made your 100K goal. Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉!!
It was a very nice walk in the pasture greeting all the gals. Interesting to see that some of them are jealous when you are talking and petting another mare. "That's MY JR, get away from him! I'm gonna bite you!" 😂😂
This was a great educational video even if it was sad, it is part of nature and it is not worth the lost of goals or the mare. Or the negative impact the pregnancy could have on the mare. You are a great horse guardian taking care of the mare.
I loved the ending, those ladies are all beautiful!
Your herd 🐎🐎🐎 is just awesome. Thank you for sharing wisdom and your beautiful 🚜 farm. 🐴
Good video, important information.
Thanks, and thanks to your Vet for sharing that information with your viewers. It is a sad topic, but it helps give us more understanding - about horses and the sometimes difficult decisions you must have to make.
Congratulations on your subscriber milestone! All the best!! 😊
Congratulations on hitting a big one: 100K!!!!
Congratulations on your 100k! Well deserved. This is a fabulous channel.
I appreciate you sharing information that may very well save someone’s horse. The choices one has to make in the service of love are sometimes very hard.
Congratulations on making 100,000 subscribers!🎉
I have so much to learn about animals and realize folks can 'anthropomorphise' ( give human qualities) to them. What a compassionate and clear example of how as human stewards...we must make the kindest practical decision for their well-being. Thankyou so much for your heartful share. ❤
Sad for the mama horse. Always tough decisions to make. Awesome horses.
Always can be hard times when raising animals. Kudos to your vet for letting you film his explanation. Congrats on reaching 100,000 subscribers!
Congratulations of 100k. Thank you for the education.
Congratulations on 100 K!!!
🎉🎉 Congratulations on 100k 🎉🎉
Wow - the coat on your new horse ! You should call her ‘Shimmer’ 🥰🇬🇧
Congratulations on 100k subs. Merry Christmas to all!
❤ Bless Your Heart. It is an awful circumstance. God be with you, the mare and her babies. I am sorry 💔 🏴🎚️
Why are you sorry ? It's none of their mares . They're fine and sassy and living ' the life . Part of life is death . Always.
@@bonsaidouglas9180 I am aware that life and death share the same thread. I believe that everything born is at the creators hand. Compassion whoever has gotten through this is only a reflection of my heart. So, I am exhausted from reasons that are unknown to you, nonetheless I did get the jist of the moment. Where is it said that I cannot compassionate with those that have gone through this, including the animals. Maybe your lesson is in your own question for self reflection.
@@Victoria-hz3gx hon , I am just fine with my reflection on life and pretty sure God is too
I'm a little late, but the power was out for 3 days here in Maine due to a huge wind and rain storm - congratulations on your reaching your 100,000 subscribers!
Thanks for sharing. Appreciate the education.
I'm so sorry but thank you for educating me I really had no idea that teuns were such a problem ( I'm a twin myself). You obviously love your horses they are lucky to have such a responsible and adoring owner
I know the risks of twins but it's always sad to see. Thank you for ending the video on such a positive beat. ♥🐎
Thank you for this educational video. I had no idea detrimental it was. I just thought twin foals were rare.
Nice information about twins, I did not know that you all are in my prayers nightly Thanks Merry Christmas from Tamworth, NH
Congratulations on making a 100,000. Such beautiful horses..God bless..🌹❤️🇺🇸
Congratulations on 100k🎉🎉
You do a good job you and your family thank you you
I appreciate the fact that the owner is made aware and does everything they can for a good outcome.life does come with risk .
You have so many beautiful horses!
Absolutely love the education … thanks
I have so much respect for you. It is always important to understand and remember that their lives are in our hands. A huge responsibility. They are worth every drop of sweat though.❤
Bless your heart. You made the right choice. Call her Second Chance. 🎉Watching from Sunny Florida.
there is only so much room for their babies, nice to see responsible animal owners, such a sad outcome
JR you are the best. I appreciate your thinking of out feelings. I was just telling my 37 year old that she was a twin but i only carried that baby a few months.❤
I think it’s wonderfully brave that you told her. As she got older and older, I imagine that decision whether to tell her got harder.
I am a twin, and the same age as your daughter.
The older I get them more I think that our formative years or even formative months are very impactful on the mind.
Her basic, forming fetus may have had no awareness of sharing a womb mate - but you never know.
I hope she is glad you told her, and that maybe she can hold a special place in her heart for her twin ,who; couldn’t quite go the distance💕
They are amazing horses. It’s okay not having twins horses but it all about having faith and hope. ❤
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I hope the mare is healthy and healing 😢.
I read an article about an obstetrician (who specialised in twin births) who wanted to implore to mothers pregnant with twins to ALWAYS ask the clinician doing your ultrasounds, whether the twins share a placenta.
If they do, then, it is important to track there, develop development to make sure they don’t develop TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) it is deadly ,but ,if caught in the early stages-it can be reversed. He also encouraged them to ask if the twins share an amniotic sack- there is a chance of their cords entangling around the other (albeit rare).
I'm an ultrasound tech. Twin pregnancies are immediately determined "high risk" and diligently monitored. We check the number of Placenta, amniotic sacs, umbilical cord placement into the Placenta, amongst other general structure identification and measurements to rule out genetic disorders. They are put on a schedule to track growth and estimated weight throughout the pregnancy. They definitely get extra attention.