Rachel Alexandra has baby #2

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

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.

Interesting article about C-sections on horses:

http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/...tion-your-mare

Well, should she pull through, she'll certainly get this year off.

Not to connect humans to horses, but I'm tired of reading over and over that no one can be sure that the foal's size had anything to do with it because "some" mares have delivered larger foals with no problem. Yeah, and a friend of mine delivered a ten-pound baby with no pain killers of any sort. That doesn't mean most women can do it.

Barbara Banke certainly seems very emotionally attached to RA; I find it hard to believe she'll do anything she doesn't think in the mare's best interest.