RIP Black Caviar

[KEK]

Haven’t seen this posted anywhere, it’s all over my FB. Black Caviar was PTS due to laminitis just after the birth of her 9th foal. She was 18. The foal has also died. So sad Not sure what a horse has to do to get a retirement

 

[Prancerpoos]

Oh no, that’s so sad. She was such a star.

 

[Orangehorse]

Haven’t seen this posted anywhere, it’s all over my FB. Black Caviar was PTS due to laminitis just after the birth of her 9th foal. She was 18. The foal has also died. So sad Not sure what a horse has to do to get a retirement

Oh dear, I didn't know the foal had died too. That's sad.

 

[photo_jo]

The mare had been in fantastic form, she got mastitis and had a toxic reaction to the antibiotic which caused the laminitis- very sad

 

[Snowfilly]

I think she was desperately unlucky, she had one of those 1 in a million reactions to a drug and just couldn’t be saved. It would have made no difference if this was her first foal, her 9th or she was empty and got mastitis anyway - the drug would have caused the same reaction and she still would have died.

You only have the see the current thread about tetanus jabs leaving horses unable to eat to see that things can go wrong with the best of proscribed vet care.

A devastating end for her and her foal, and everyone connected with her.

 

[KEK]

I think she was desperately unlucky, she had one of those 1 in a million reactions to a drug and just couldn’t be saved. It would have made no difference if this was her first foal, her 9th or she was empty and got mastitis anyway - the drug would have caused the same reaction and she still would have died.

You only have the see the current thread about tetanus jabs leaving horses unable to eat to see that things can go wrong with the best of proscribed vet care.

A devastating end for her and her foal, and everyone connected with her.

Yes, but not sure why she needed to be bred at 18, especially given she'd already produced 8 other foals..

 

[bonny]

Yes, but not sure why she needed to be bred at 18, especially given she'd already produced 8 other foals..

What should she have done instead ?

 

[Merry neddy man]

Enjoyed life ambling round a field with other horse.

 

[tristars]

I found it heartbreaking reading about urban sea dying shortly after breeding yet another foal aged 20 I think, so sad , they have done their service let them retire with dignity I actually think its pretty disgusting

 

[meleeka]

Lots of talk about how much she was loved and admired. Not loved enough to be given a happy retirement without earning her keep it seems.

 

[KEK]

Lots of talk about how much she was loved and admired. Not loved enough to be given a happy retirement without earning her keep it seems.

LOTS of people in Australia feel exactly the same as us Meleeka, I've seen petitions and everything on FB. Agree totally.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

What should she have done instead ?

Doing nothing

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yes, but not sure why she needed to be bred at 18, especially given she'd already produced 8 other foals..

It's too old to be bred sometimes and it goes wrong so totally agree so sad

 

[YourValentine]

Lots of talk about how much she was loved and admired. Not loved enough to be given a happy retirement without earning her keep it seems.

This, and was clearly kept alive with laminitis just long enough to foal. All very vague about exactly how long she'd been suffering and I wonder how much earlier she'd have been PTS of she hadn't been in foal...

All the people saying how much she was loved. Complete BS.

 

[Celtic Jewel]

Sadly op this doesn’t just happen to famous successful mares it happens to regular broodmares that haven’t even been proven they just breed till they’re too old or they dead . I know people who mare that has a old injury that not sound is going to have there 9 foal next year and they literally struggle to sell any of their foals the mare is completely unproven and doesn’t have good breeding. They literally said they aren’t going to stop breeding until the vet tells them so the mare is constantly breed every year and what’s worse is the mare is turning 18 next year .

 

[Rokele55]

I am not sure that retirement, wandering around a field with no stimulation, is always a good option for some horses. She was an amazing mare who thrived in a high adrenalin career. She also appeared to thrive as a brood mare who, until this episode, was in good health. From a mare pov having a foal a year is the epitome of natural living. Standing in a field watching the world go by might have been very stressful. I have seen horses 'retired' who simply can't cope

 

[meleeka]

I am not sure that retirement, wandering around a field with no stimulation, is always a good option for some horses. She was an amazing mare who thrived in a high adrenalin career. She also appeared to thrive as a brood mare who, until this episode, was in good health. From a mare pov having a foal a year is the epitome of natural living. Standing in a field watching the world go by might have been very stressful. I have seen horses 'retired' who simply can't cope

It doesn't appear anyone tried to offer her a retirement. A horse of that calibre wouldn't just be chucked out in a field though. Many retired competition horses still hack out, still come in at night and are still pampered, just at a slower pace. Being in foal continually is hardly a stimulating experience either!

 

[Clover Girl]

Haven’t seen this posted anywhere, it’s all over my FB. Black Caviar was PTS due to laminitis just after the birth of her 9th foal. She was 18. The foal has also died. So sad Not sure what a horse has to do to get a retirement

Good mares are used and abused as has happened here, I saw

Haven’t seen this posted anywhere, it’s all over my FB. Black Caviar was PTS due to laminitis just after the birth of her 9th foal. She was 18. The foal has also died. So sad Not sure what a horse has to do to get a retirement

horrible that they bred her 9 times, saw Dani Starwins post that Lizziemary has 15 foals on the ground with 3 more due. All those short pregnancies and flushings with all the intervention required is just obscene. Her body must not know what’s going on. There should be a limit on embryo transfer for the mares welfare.

 

[Goldenstar]

I am in two minds about this , she raised her foals well and my experience is that mares when they get good care enjoy the broodmare life .
18 is not a ridiculously old age to be having a foal and laminitis is sadly sometimes a complication of birth .

 

[reynold]

18 is not old these days with good care having been provided throughout life. It is not uncommon for good competition mares (non-racing) to retire at 17 or so and then go on to have 2 or 3 foals, although it is now more common for those that can afford it to have embryo transfer done.

Again any breeding decision should be based on the current health and well-being of the mare and any previous breeding history. Also with the likely size of the foal to be carried based on the size of the stallion chosen and it's known progeny.

I have far more problem with mares aged 2 being put in foal (by accident or planned) before they themselves even reach maturity - thinking mainly of uncontrolled breeding outside of racing - the sort that end up in rescue centres.

My own WHW pony, now 18, had a known history as part of a large breed rescue (aged 7) and is thought to have had 5 foals by that time.

 

[tristars]

The mare was broken to ride, she could have bred a few foals and turned her hoof to other pursuits, or just pleasure, god forbid that any horse should do that though, those tb mares are not the toughest material, carrying all those foals and birthing them is tough on any animal,not to mention broken and racing at 2 or whatever

Frankly it makes my blood boil, its not just age but when is enough enough at what point is something worn out,

 

[minesadouble]

I think for the vast majority of mares being a broodmare IS a good retirement.
We have bred from quite a few older, retired mares and I can honestly say they never seem happier than they do with a foal at foot.