This is Rosie. Rosie is one of the mares that were brought to safety by Humane Officers on 12-21-11 from an investigation for neglect and cruelty in the Clovis area.
She was accompanied to the shelter by 17 other horses, and is one of 3 mares that were pregnant when they arrived. All of the horses were extremely emaciated as they had no access to substantial food. Rosie’s estimated weight upon arrival was 950 which is about 200 pounds under what she should have been. We estimate her to be about 12 years old. She and the other horses were able to gain weight back due to the phenomenal support of the public.
Mother Nature has a way of protecting the unborn by providing for them through the mother. However, we are a little concerned. Although Rosie did gain weight, she’s not as plump as we would have liked her to be because she’s been supporting a growing foal. As you can see by her big belly, the baby appears to have grown well. We have recently separated her from the rest of the girls so she may give birth to her baby in a more appropriate area. She is being monitored closely by our medical team and staff, and being fed a little extra to help build a strength… and because we just like to spoil her. We are hoping all we’ve been able to do for her was enough to ensure a safe delivery of a healthy baby, but we are still holding our breath.
We have installed a camera so we can monitor her around the clock as the day draws closer. Although Rosie is one of the friendliest brought in from that group, she still gets a little nervous around a lot of people. With the camera we can observe without being intrusive. We felt that since the public played such an important role in her survival and recovery that it was only fair to invite you to witness her miracle. And a miracle it will be. For the chances that she would have survived to this day were slim had a concerned citizen not reported the neglect, and a concerned public rally to support. Join us in our stork watch and welcome her new baby to the world.
Information on Foaling
1. Foaling is the process of giving birth to a foal.
2. A mare’s gestation lasts approximately 11
months (foaling usually occurs 338 to 345
days from the last breeding date).
3. Gestation length varies based on season,
breed, and other unidentified factors.
3. Rosie was about 229 days pregnant when she came into our care last December.
4. Pregnant mares should gain weight moderately during pregnancy and have a natural glow to their coats. Rosie was under weight by over 200 lbs.
5. Left on their own, foaling mares will select an open space within a sheltered area with clean ground and easy escape routes. Those factors are evolutionary.
6. Proper nutritional support of broodmares improves fertility and promotes normal growth and vigor of the developing fetus. During the first eight months of gestation, mares’ energy needs are the same as those for maintenance, but energy requirements gradually increase over the last three months of pregnancy, when up to 65% of fetal growth occurs.
The Photos bellow are Rosie being comforted by Riverdale, Rosie in Birthing stall, Rosie being moved into birthing stall.
