Rachel Alexandra has baby #2

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Danzig

and the wobbler colt lived 2 years, so it wasn't an immediate issue, nor one that can be tied to lotta kim.

Some forms of Wobbler's can be hereditary. There are a few factors than can lead to it and genetic predisposition could play a part even if it wasn't the primary issue. Males tend to get it more than females as well for some reason. We don't know that he didn't get something from his dam that made its appearance as he got older. The growing process could've started things up that were waiting to happen.

I don't know that I want to jump straight to the 'don't breed her again' bandwagon, but if you didn't she definitely wouldn't die of foaling complications...that is, in fact, guaranteed so that's why there are fans thinking of it. I don't blame them, but that's not the only possibility. There are other options besides taking your chances too. I don't know how C-sections would work given how she's already been operated on and had her insides messed with. Maybe there's a reason she'd not make a good candidate, but it's worth thinking about since I assume her reproductive area wasn't the problem. She's thus far having foals that aren't just healthy but fairly large. Breeding/monitoring her and later making a judgment call about C-section or natural foaling with medical supervision isn't unreasonable. If she has to effectively give birth in a hospital, that might be the best thing besides pensioning her.