Growing Pains for a Pregnant Pony
the fence was getting old. When Lonnie couldnt reach me on the phone eventually she started paging me.
Lonnie what is it this time? I asked wearily after my pager had gone off three times in a row.
You need to come right out Doc! I think shes bleeding from her birth canal!
That got my attention.
How much blood? When did it start?
Lonnie wasnt sure and when I arrived she was holding a towel to the ponys backside.
The towel was black so I couldnt tell how much blood there might have been.
I gently removed the towel and inspected the little mare. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. Lonnie had a chair ready for me and we watched the pony for about 20 minutes but there was no sign of any bleeding or leaking fluids.
I stared at her. Lonnie Im going to say this once. The pregnancy is progressing normally and you need to leave her be and get some rest. Dont call me again unless shes showing actual signs of labor!
The Wait is Over for a Pregnant Pony
My phone was quiet for the next few weeks. Finally early one morning I finally got the call that I was waiting for. The pregnant pony had
given birth during the night. Her foal was nursing well and the mare was up and eating. I didnt see any reason to cancel my morning calls and I told Lonnie Id be along in a few hours.
Her number popped up on my cell a few times but I was busy and didnt answer. Then my pager went off.
Where are you?! Lonnie demanded. The babys down and shes twitching!
Lonnie shes sleeping! I said in exasperation.
I told you Ill be along when I finish my calls. Dont page me again!
Lonnie was sulky when I finally arrived but she cheered up when I examined the mare and her huge foal and pronounced them perfect. The filly had the largest knees Id ever seen the mare was bright and she hadnt even torn during the delivery. I was charmed by the big filly with her whiskery milky muzzle and Lonnie was beaming when I drove off.
When the foal was a week old her back was level with her mothers hip bone and by one
month of age she had to squat down to nurse. It was comical to see the pony with her huge gangly baby and soon the filly was taller than her mother. Lonnie was much calmer now that the pregnancy was over and my phone stayed fairly quiet.
One day Lonnie announced that she was still hoping to find her driving team and was planning a trip to the horse sale.
I stared at her. No more auction mares Lonnie!
We gazed out at the enormous filly now six months old and dwarfing her mother. Lonnie winked at me.
Doc make sure to ask Dr. Platt what supplements he recommends for the filly to get her ready for weaning.
