I hope someone can give me a bit of advice on a mare I have been offered. She is 4 months pregnant and has about 8 foals but all the fillies are born having the term as the owner called it "Wind swept". I have not heard of this before and apparently they are born very big. Can you offer any advice on this type of foal ? or where I may be able to look up some information.
1. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #0
Being "windswept" is common enough in foals, especially in large ones. The condition is where one hip is higher than the other giving the foal a somewhat ungainly appearance and action. Its caused by the foal's position in the womb. Personally I don't think its anything to worry about. I have seen dozens of foals like it and they all seem to become normal in a month or two. Basically gravity causes all the bones and tendons to organise themselves properly and the windswept condition goes away.
2. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #1
I have had a windswept foal and within 2 weeks he was as straight as. They come out like this mainly because they are big foals and have been swashed. If they are left alone and put in a smallish paddock they will fix themselves up in no time.
12. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #1
Hi,
I have just had a windswept foal born, but he is also down on all four, with fetlocks just barely off the ground, does this complicate their ability to correct the windswept hind end?
4. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #3
My mare delivered a 'windswept' colt once. I was horrified - until then each foal had literally been a showpiece. Looking at baby from behind, the hind legs instead of being straight both headed to the right by a couple of inches - meaning it looked as if the hocks had been pushed over to the right and you can visualise the resulting angulation. Me - near hysterics (long, long time ago). contacted stallion owner who just laughed at me and said windswept. He explained it as simply due to positioning inside. Think of the shape a horse gets into when it sits down - hind legs tucked under but a little to one side, well that's all it is. Colt was perfect very quickly. Don't worry about it. Angulation in front legs is a different story. cheers
5. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #4
Does anyone have pictures they can email me of there foals, that turned out ok? This is my first one and I was in tears most of the day yesterday. hanksterri@hotmail.com
6. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #5
It is a common occurence and most vet will tell you depending on the severity of it to restrict them to a stable or small yard. If the foal is so windswept that it is having trouble standing then vet and farrier treatment are required. A friend here has a colt that was absolutely huge came out standing at about 13 or so hands and his whole body was like a serpentine and with the correct vet and farrier he is now almost normal tho at that severity it took a bit longer than most. Best of luck with your baby.
Liesl Shai Arabians Australia
"Lessons learned in youth are as if carved in stone, while those learned at maturity fly like leaves in the wind."
7. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #6
How old was this foal. I just picked up a friends mare & foal from a stud. He's 4 months old and windswept. stud haven't done a thing about it, in your experience have I got much hope in correcting it now as he has a lot of muscle wastage and is very weak behind. Im so angry the stud didn't advise my friend that the foal had a problem and have done nothing about it.
8. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #7
I think if it were truly just windswept, it would have righted itself by now. Sounds like something else going on. You'll be pushing it but should get attention immediately. Good luck.
11. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #8
I agree just wishfull thinking I guess had a huge foal this year born 70+ kg which was confined for 10 days then progressively let out hour extra each day and took 4 months and lots of farrier work to have him perfect. farrier and vet both booked in to see this big baby 2morrow at same time so hopefully they can figure something out. One leg is better than the other. tendons straight one stifle particular weak which is causing most of the problem.
9. "RE: Windswept foals"
In response to message #6
I had the vet out today and my baby is now 72 hrs old. Her advice was to get the farrier out and have a glue on shoe put on that has an extra part that sticks out on the outside. So I have a call into the farrier and the vet will be back in about a week.
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