The Birth Story of Ajani:
Our First Purebred Friesian Foal

Breeding our first purebred Friesian foal was a journey of passion, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to our belief in providing the best care for our horses. From navigating the complexities of embryo transfer to weathering dramatic moments that tested our resolve, Ajani's conception and birth will forever hold a special place in the story of Roselee Friesians.

The Conception: A Stormy Beginning

Our second cycle attempt at embryo transfer was our final try for the season. On Wednesday, January 4th, I headed to the airport to pick up the semen shipment. When I returned home to collect Nynke for her insemination at the vet clinic, a storm was rolling in, bringing lightning and thunder.
As I connected the float, I noticed my neighbour working on the boundary fence in the storm. I paused, debating whether to call him out of the weather, but I continued my task. Nynke, our Friesian mare, was slightly unsettled by the storm but trusted me enough to step into the float. Ten minutes into our 30-minute drive, the storm intensified, pelting the float with hail. The noise must have been deafening for Nynke, but she endured the ride bravely.
At the Luskintyre Clinic, perched atop a hill, Nynke had a clear view of the chaotic weather. Despite the storm's fury, the insemination went smoothly. On the way home, strong winds brought down tree limbs, and I had to stop several times to clear the road. It was a night to remember, and Ajani was conceived amidst the lightning and thunder.

The Waiting Game: Luka's Journey

On Friday, February 17th, 2023, we received confirmation that Luka, our leased recipient mare, was successfully in foal with Nynke and Dirk's embryo. Luka, a plain bay Standardbred mare standing around 15 hands high, joined our herd and settled into her new home.
Her pregnancy was relatively straightforward, though we faced challenges in managing her weight and dealing with minor skin issues. After researching her brand, we discovered Luka was 18 years old, prompting us to adjust her feeding regimen to better suit her needs.

Ajani's Birth: A Night of Trials

Luka's due date came and went with no signs of labour until the evening of January 3rd, 2024 when she began leaking milk. During the final check before bed, I was bitten by an unknown insect on my neck. It stung, but I didn't think much of it then.
Luka foaled at 12:41 am on January 4th. However, the newborn colt didn't follow the usual 1-2-3 rule of foaling:
Standing within 1 hour
Nursing within 2 hours
Passing the placenta within 3 hours
By 1.5 hours, the foal had not yet stood. Though experienced with foals, Luka seemed wary of me approaching her new colt. I woke my husband, Ryan, for assistance. While I held Luka, Ryan lifted the foal and guided him to the nurse. Though the foal drank, he struggled to stand on his own and kept collapsing.
By 3 am, after consulting with the vet, we decided to take Luka and the foal to the Newcastle Equine Centre. At 4 am, we loaded them into the float and made the 45-minute journey to the clinic.

The Diagnosis: Dummy Foal Syndrome

Our colt was diagnosed with mild Dummy Foal Syndrome and had aspirated milk into his lungs. He received little to no colostrum, so the vet immediately administered plasma and antibiotics. He was tube-fed for several days to ensure he received proper nutrition while Luka was treated for a retained placenta.

A Painful Twist

While at the clinic, the insect bite I had received earlier began to worsen. Pain radiated up my neck and arm, prompting a visit to the emergency department at Maitland Hospital. Despite my discomfort, I focused on ensuring Ajani & Luka received the best possible care.

Following Months

On Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024, follow-up scans and blood tests revealed that Ajani might not have been recovering as well as he appeared. His white blood cell count was elevated, and his lungs still showed signs of striations.
By Thursday, January 25th, 2024, we took Ajani and Luka to the vet for a follow-up trans-tracheal wash.
The results came back on Monday, January 29th, 2024, revealing the presence of two pathogens: Enterobacter cloacae complex and Aspergillus fumigatus complex. The prognosis was grim, with less than a 20% chance of survival, even with treatment. The vet suggested a possible genetic disorder and recommended DNA testing.
The following week was heartbreaking. We contacted everyone we knew who might have insight into these lung fungi. Unfortunately, the consensus was unanimous—Ajani was terminally ill. Yet, he was the healthiest sick terminal foal anyone had ever seen.
By that Friday, we made the difficult decision not to pursue treatment. Instead, we chose to give Ajani the best short life possible. Keeping him confined in a stable and subjecting him to harsh treatments that might not work would have been unfair to both him and Luka. We decided to monitor him at home, ensuring he was comfortable and pain-free. If he showed signs of distress, we would make the call. Until then, we would cherish every moment with our expensive little colt.

Ajani is the first of many to come at Roselee Friesians, and his birth story will forever remind us of the power of perseverance, love, and unwavering commitment to our equine family.

Ajani of Roselee on Our Socials