06/18/2026
The nightmare that unfolded over the last 24 hours feels unbelievable.
The first moments of the day, Loyal went into labour, and got down to business fast. However the excitement quickly gave way to fear as the foal was presenting head first. This was a case of fetal malposition, foals should come out in the "divers" position, front hooves then head.
His knees were bent.
Our vets arrived and took action, they were able to reposition the foal and assist in his delivery. However, Loyal unfortunately suffered a severe re**al prolapse and a perforated bowel. With this fatal outcome, time was not on our side. We got her comfortable, milked her to try and get the vital colostrum needed to support her foal, then said goodbye.
Her sweet little bay c**t knew nothing but love, he never spent a minute alone, he took to being fed by humans right away and didn't waste a drop.
With sunrise the call was put out for a nurse mare and that call was answered immediately. We organized ourselves and brought him to Rohan Wood Stables, to meet a horse that was ready to adopt him. However at just 12 hours old he suddenly slipped away from us. 💔
Thank you to every last person who put in efforts to care for and help both Loyal and her c**t, and our barn community for looking after the rest of the herd, the Sweet family for looking after burying them, my family at home for looking after Paco and Skipper and Rubble, the list is so long.
Special thanks to Valley Equine Clinic, and Rohan wood Stables.
And thank you to the entire horse community near and far who shared the post looking for a nurse mare. (Literally hundreds of you 😭)
