Every expectant mother knows that feeling—the blend of fear and excitement leading up to birth, followed by the overwhelming joy of meeting your baby. While we often think of this experience in human terms, the miracle of new life resonates just as powerfully in the equestrian world. And for mares carrying foals, pregnancy can be just as challenging, unpredictable, and ultimately rewarding.
But there’s one complication that makes equine pregnancy uniquely difficult: twin pregnancies. Unlike humans, who can carry twins to term relatively safely, horses rarely deliver healthy twin foals. The success rate is concerningly low, and even when both foals survive birth, they often face serious health complications. In many cases, sadly, one or both foals don’t make it.
What makes things even more precarious is when owners aren’t aware a mare is carrying twins. They prepare for one healthy foal, only to face an emergency situation when a second one arrives unexpectedly.
An Undetected Twin Pregnancy
This is exactly what happened to Dutch showjumper and breeder Anne-Liza Makkinga. Her mare, a former Grand Prix competition horse, had previously aborted twin foals during an earlier pregnancy. With that history in mind, Makkinga was especially careful this time around. A scan showed no signs of twins—everything appeared normal and healthy.
But pregnancy, as with so much in life, doesn’t always follow the plan.
The Terrifying Moment
When the mare began active labor, Makkinga was prepared to assist. That’s when she noticed something alarming. “I tried to feel if the placenta was open and when I took my hands away there was so much blood,” Makkinga recalls. Panic set in. She immediately called her veterinarian, convinced something had gone dangerously wrong.
“I called the vet straight away because my first thought was that she had damaged her insides,” she explains. “I had him on a loudspeaker and I was holding the placenta with two feet in it and pulling while she pushed. Then suddenly another placenta came out and I was absolutely terrified because I thought at first it was her insides.”
That’s when the shocking truth became clear: the ultrasound had missed a second foal. The mare was carrying twins all along.
From Crisis to Celebration
Despite the terrifying circumstances and the inherent risks of twin pregnancies, Makkinga’s mare pulled through. Not only did she deliver successfully, but both foals arrived healthy and strong. What began as a nightmare scenario—hemorrhaging, undetected twins, the prospect of losing one or both foals—transformed into a genuine miracle.
Why Twin Pregnancies Matter
Cases like Makkinga’s are reasons for celebration, but they also highlight why equine twin pregnancies remain one of the most serious veterinary challenges in horse breeding. The equine uterus simply isn’t designed to support two foals adequately. Competition for nutrients and space often leads to complications, and the stress on the mare’s body is immense.
For breeders and mare owners, the lesson is clear: regular ultrasound monitoring throughout pregnancy is essential. Early detection of twins allows veterinarians and breeders to make informed decisions and prepare for potential complications.
Anne-Liza Makkinga’s story reminds us that while equine pregnancy carries real risks, the reward—two healthy, beautiful foals—makes every anxious moment worthwhile. Her former Grand Prix mare didn’t just carry twins; she delivered a testament to the resilience and strength of horses, and the dedication of those who care for them.