Assateague herd of wild horses suffers two foal deaths in difficult season

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department reported on Monday that foals were experiencing a challenging season in terms of mortality rate and normal feeding.

"As with any animal birth there can be issues that arise before, during or after labor. A normal occurrence here on Assateague is that we lose some foals every year, we try all we can to help when we see an issue but sometimes Mother Nature already has other plans," the department wrote in a social media post.

Sad losses mount with deaths of two Assateague foals

According to the department, this week they observed Sunny Skies foal #54 having trouble nursing on a very remote part of the island. Volunteers reported the mares' teats and milk bag had swollen from lack of drinking, but ultimately observed the foal nursing well a few times and that was thought to be the end of the issue. A few days later, the mare was observed with no foal and the foal was found dead a short while later.

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While it is difficult to determine the cause, especially on remote parts of the island where there is limited access, some intervention causes more stress on a situation that may just need a little extra care from mother.

Another occurrence was that Surfer Princess Foal #52 had been found dead a few days after being born. There is no reason or explanation.

A ratio of two foals lost out of 60 is better than a domestic average of nearly 7%.

"Saturday morning, we were alerted to a mare having difficulty foaling, which is an odd occurrence on Assateague, even for the amount of foals we have every year. The foal was stuck in an odd position and could not be delivered without human help," the department said.

Judging by the condition of the mare, the department had assumed labor had been going on for "quite some time."

The delivery was successful, but the foal was already dead. The mare was ultimately able to get in a trailer and get medical help immediately and came to the carnival grounds and began recovery.

The mare was given the prescribed medicine and stall rest care following the incident. After a regiment of antibiotics and pain medication to manage the inflammation, doctors was satisfied with her progress. Unfortunately, the condition had already progressed to a critical point and the mare did not survive.

Deaths of two mares add to early season herd losses

Fancy Pants, a 4-year old mare, also passed away peacefully recently at the Carnival Grounds.

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"We are very saddened that this heroic safe delivery and quick veterinary care did not yield a different result, but we are thankful she died peacefully and was given every available chance at recovery," the department said. "This morning, we were alerted to a new foal with no mother present, we got a trailer coming to Assateague and went over to observe. The nearest band approached the foal, and all passed him by except CLG Pennies from Heaven."

Chincoteague welcomed foal #59, a chestnut colt, out of CLG Penny.

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company also announced the early May death of mare Wildfire, who had to be euthanized after losing use of her back legs.

In a silver lining, firefighters were able to convince Esther Jane (EJ) to allow Wildfire’s filly to nurse alongside her foal, which the department described on Facebook as the "silver lining of this whole incredibly difficult situation."

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Death of 2 foals add to difficult season for Assateague wild herd