It's a Filly! Lady Dyanaformer's New Foal Has Arrived!

We're thrilled to announce that Lady Dyanaformer welcomed a beautiful, long-legged filly last night, March 20th, just before midnight—marking both her and Surprise as right-on-time mares who delivered on their actual due dates!

The birth required some assistance from the Horse Husband Stables team, as the filly's front legs were not progressing forward correctly, causing her shoulders to become temporarily stuck. Normally, a foal's front legs extend forward during birth, effectively narrowing the shoulders, similar to passing through a doorway sideways rather than straight on. Once the team was able to reposition and free her legs, allowing the shoulders to align correctly, the remainder of the delivery proceeded smoothly.

Born with contracted tendons in her front fetlocks and knees and lax (loose) tendons in her hind fetlocks, this active filly initially struggled to stand and nurse. Despite her mobility challenges, she was determined and curious, attempting to suckle boots, walls, and anything she could reach as she crawled around the stall.

After two hours of dedicated assistance without significant progress, the team called in the veterinarian for an evaluation and additional support. Dyana was fiercely protective of her new filly, requiring one team member to safely handle her with a lead rope while the veterinarian and another team member wrapped the filly's front legs to provide critical support. A feeding tube was also placed to ensure the filly received essential colostrum (rich in antibodies and nutrients) and ongoing nutritional support as she built strength to stand and nurse on her own.

Feeding tubes are preferable over syringes or bottles for newborn foals who are unable to stand because they reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia—an infection caused when milk accidentally enters the foal’s lungs. Newborn foals typically nurse every 30 minutes to 2 hours, and insufficient nursing can lead to serious complications like dehydration, low blood sugar, and inadequate immunity.

After the veterinarian's visit, the team milked Dyana and fed a pint of colostrum directly into the filly's feeding tube. Overnight monitoring via stall cameras showed promising signs, and by this morning's check-in around 8 AM, they were relieved to see Dyana's udder wasn't swollen, indicating the filly has managed to nurse adequately on her own. Dyana's teats are not dripping or spraying milk—another encouraging sign—and the filly is active, bright-eyed, and eager to explore her surroundings.

A quick educational note on the filly's contracted and lax tendons: These conditions are not uncommon in newborn foals, especially in larger foals born to smaller mares or when there's restricted room in the uterus. Contracted tendons (tight muscles or tendons preventing normal limb extension) usually resolve with supportive care, stretching, wrapping, and sometimes medication. Lax tendons (excessively loose joints) typically improve within a few days as the foal strengthens naturally. With proper intervention and care, most foals recover fully without lasting impacts.

Next steps include a thorough exam later today by the primary veterinarian, who will administer plasma to bolster the filly's immune system and draw blood for routine tests. Dyana also appears to have passed her full placenta about one hour after foaling, which is crucial since a retained placenta can lead to serious infections or health complications if unnoticed. The veterinarian will confirm no remnants were retained.

Additionally, the filly successfully passed her meconium—the first sticky, dark manure a foal produces—after the team administered a gentle saline enema to help ensure there was no blockage or discomfort. Both mare and filly currently have stable temperatures and appear to be doing exceptionally well.

The team will continue to closely monitor them both and provide updates following the veterinarian's evaluation later this morning. Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support and enthusiasm—welcome to the world, little filly!