In a heartwarming turn of events at Craigmancie Stud in Aberdeenshire, breeder Alexandra Middler has witnessed what she’s calling a true “miracle”—the surprise birth of healthy Connemara twin foals. Her 13-year-old mare, My Cashel Eile, delivered a stunning colt and filly sired by Alexandra’s 27-year-old Class One stallion, Weston Armada. It’s a rare and remarkable moment in the equestrian world, and one that required incredible dedication to bring these tiny foals safely into the world.
An Unexpected Discovery in the Field
What makes this birth story even more special is how it unfolded. Alexandra explains: “We put Eile in foal but we couldn’t scan her because she doesn’t like being interfered with and can be quite feral, so we watched her belly grow over winter.”
On the fateful day, Alexandra and her groom Ashley Anderson were in the field trying to catch another mare and foal when something caught their attention. “They kept going over to the fence line,” Alexandra recalls. “We looked over the fence and saw Eile, and I said, ‘I think we’re in the first stages of labor.'”
Within moments, Eile whinnied, lay down, and delivered the filly in dramatic fashion. “We thought she was tiny, and I said, ‘I hope there’s not another one in there’,” Alexandra laughs. Sure enough, the colt arrived less than 10 minutes later—a jaw-dropping surprise!
Intensive Care Around the Clock
The joy of twins quickly turned into a labor of love. Twin foals are exceptionally rare in horses and often face serious health challenges. These tiny newborns needed round-the-clock attention to survive.
“Eile had licked the filly dry, then contractions started again—she lay down and the other foal was born,” Alexandra explains. “We got them into a stable, and because they were so tiny, I put my thick wooly waistcoats on them to keep them warm.”
The colt was slow to stand, which meant Alexandra couldn’t leave anything to chance. “I didn’t want the filly to drink all of the milk, so I was up every hour milking Eile and feeding them both,” she says. It’s the kind of dedication that separates casual horse owners from true horsemen and horsewomen.
A Community Rallying Together
The first four days were absolutely critical. Alexandra describes it as “a case of really nurturing them to keep them alive.” But she didn’t do it alone—the equestrian community showed up in the most meaningful way possible.
“People around were so nice,” Alexandra reflects gratefully. “Moray Firth Stud was kind enough to give us some frozen colostrum, and people gave us a box of dog coats.” These practical gestures, born from genuine care for the foals’ welfare, made all the difference.
Professional support was equally crucial. “The vet was here every day giving them vitamins to keep them going, and we did tests to make sure they were getting enough colostrum—everything we could think of, we did,” Alexandra explains.
Against the Odds, They Thrived
Today, both foals are thriving—a testament to Alexandra’s unwavering commitment and the support of her community. Twin births in horses are extraordinarily rare, and healthy outcomes are even rarer. The fact that both the colt and filly survived and are developing normally is nothing short of extraordinary.
As Alexandra sums it up perfectly: “The whole thing has been a miracle. We can’t believe it’s happened.”
What This Means for Connemara Breeders
For the Connemara breeding community, this successful twin birth is genuinely newsworthy. These exceptional Irish horses are known for their hardiness and intelligence, and these two new additions represent hope and rare success in an often unpredictable breeding season.
Alexandra’s story is a reminder that great horsemanship isn’t just about showing rings or competition—it’s about understanding your animals, acting decisively in critical moments, and never giving up on the animals in your care. Her unwavering dedication to these two foals, combined with expert veterinary support and community kindness, turned what could have been a tragedy into a celebration.
For everyone who loves horses, especially those involved in breeding, this is a story that restores faith in the power of determination, skill, and compassion.