ATHENS, Ga. — A Blue Roan Mare shocked her owner and the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Hospital staff after giving birth to twins on Monday - a rarity for horses.
“It was an ‘Oh My God’ moment for everybody,” explained the horse named Tilly’s owner, Melissa Jarvis, adding later, “We were only expecting one."
Only Tilly knew she was carrying two foals.
Jarvis and UGA Veterinary Hospital Dr. Robyn Ellerbrock said a second foal was never identified during any of Tilly’s prenatal exams.
While Tilly was considered ‘high risk’ due to complications during a previous pregnancy where she lost a foal, the team kept a close eye on her throughout this pregnancy.
It was about two weeks ago; Jarvis noticed some changes in Tilly and thought it was time she took her to UGA’s Veterinary Hospital to be monitored more closely.
“We have around-the-clock monitoring for pregnancies that we’re worried about,” Ellerbrock said.
When Monday came, Ellerbrock said Tilly started going into labor, which, unlike humans, is a fast process for horses.
“From the time they show signs of labor to the baby being out is fifteen to twenty minutes, thirty minutes at the most,” she said.
LlNK | Support Tilly and her twins here or donate directly by calling the Large Animal Hospital at 706-542-3223
Ellerbrock said as soon as the team saw the first baby, they knew something was up.
“Seemed a little small for her (Tilly) size, then started pushing again and delivered a second one which is very rare for horses,” she said.
It was a first and likely only one-of-its-kind experience for the doctor. Statistically, only about 1 to 2% of mares become pregnant with twins, and both babies rarely survive birth, according to the National Library of Medicine.
“Definitely my first time delivering twins,” Ellerbrock said, adding, "Most of the time its a once in a career occasion for sure."
While the colt and filly have defied the odds and survived a rare birth, they’re far from being out of the woods. The twins were born prematurely. They also didn’t have a lot of room to grow properly.
“Because there wasn’t enough space in the uterus their legs didn’t have room straighten out so they have some orthopedic challenges they’re going to have to get through,” Ellerbrock said.
Right now, the foals have splints to help them stretch out their legs and blankets to help them stay warm.
Both foals are about half the size of a normal foal. Ellerbrock said her team has to hold up the foals so they can nurse physically.
She said their main focus right now is helping them build their strength, stay warm and get the nutrients they need to fight off any infections.
Which is something Jarvis knows but is holding on to hope.
“It’s going to be a day-by-day process,” she said.
Jarvis has created an online campaign to help her cover the medical expenses. She said that while she did save for the routine bills of a pregnancy, she wasn’t expecting twins and the medical care now being provided.
UGA’s Veterinary Hospital is also taking donations directly to help cover the costs of the round-the-clock care needed to give these foals a fighting chance at beating the odds. Donate directly by calling their Large Animal Hospital at 706-542-3223.