Member Exclusive Video: Surprise's New Colt's First Moments

We're thrilled to share a special video exclusively available to The Foal Circle members—you won't find this precious footage anywhere else on social media or other pages! In this heartwarming 2-minute clip, you'll witness the immediate instincts that bond mare and foal as Surprise lovingly begins licking her newborn colt's face, encouraging their initial moments together as he crawls toward her front for the very first time.

At the start of the video, you'll notice our attentive Horse Husband Stables team providing a little extra assistance by carefully removing the amniotic sac from the colt's legs. While the sac typically tears away naturally as the foal begins moving, in this instance, the colt had been kicking his back legs and had gotten tangled, making this extra bit of help beneficial.

You may also notice there's still some "stuff" coming out of Surprise in the video. That's completely normal—what you're seeing is the remainder of the amniotic sac and the placenta, which naturally follow the birth of a foal. The placenta will typically pass within a couple of hours post-delivery, marking the successful conclusion of a healthy birth process.

Watching Surprise gently lick her colt's face is more than just an adorable moment; it's a vital part of their early bonding. This licking action helps stimulate the colt's circulation and encourages his first movements, ensuring he's alert and responsive. It's also perfectly normal and beneficial that Surprise remains laying down during this time, especially since she's an older mare with a higher risk of uterine bleeding—staying relaxed and resting helps reduce this risk.

For now, we're affectionately referring to this little guy as "Thirteen," as he is Surprise's thirteenth (and final) foal, born fittingly on March 13th! Officially naming him is a special privilege reserved for our Foal Circle members. We'll soon open nominations for choosing his official registered name, so stay tuned for your opportunity to help select his lifelong identity.

Enjoy these first sweet moments, and stay connected for updates and naming opportunities!