Mike-N-Ike – Miracle Twins by FS Golden Ticket and out of PG Pure Oleah

Twin foals “MikeNIke” were a complete surprise for owners Rachel Cleary, her husband husband, Zack, and Christa Mayotte. It was the first pregnancy for mare “LB,” so for the mare, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Read Rachel’s account of the birth, Ike’s emergency trip to the vet hospital in the cab of their truck, and how they are thriving today – a real story of hope during a time of horse industry sorrow:

Q:  Were the twins a surprise? Tell us what happened:

A. They were a COMPLETE surprise. “LB” was a maiden mare. The day prior, she was streaming milk. She did not have the normal “pointy look” to her belly. I was very, very concerned that the foal was not in the correct position just by the amount of milk we were losing combined with her visual appearance. I chased her around all day catching colostrum in a cup. I had planned to stay with her, this was her first pregnancy, and I was concerned about what her reaction may be, as a maiden tends to be quirky in general.

1 AM rolls around and down we go in labor. The first colt (Ike, the palomino) came out in perfect position. LB  stood right up as soon as he was out. Within 30 seconds she THREW herself down. My heart stopped; I just knew she had ruptured. She threw herself flat and out pops two hooves and a nose!!!! *cue heart attack*

I was about 100 feet from the house – I ran inside yelling for Zack that we were having twins! We knew at that point things were critical. We knew most likely we would lose both foals and prayed that we didn’t lose her. As the second one (Mike, the sorrel) started to make his way I knew he was going to be born dead.

But NO! Alive as ever. She had them both in 13 minutes total. She got up, both twins got up, she pushed one to the left and one to right, and they both latched on and nursed easily. I guess being a maiden, she didn’t know any better that having two was so odd. About an hour and half in. Ike (palomino) started to have severe abdominal pain. We noticed the scrotal hernia and we had to try to manage his pain level and physically restrain him and bottle feed him until the vet clinic opened at 9am. Ike rode in the cab of the truck to the clinic!

Q.  What are the names of the twins, and the sire and dam details?

A. We named the twins “MikeNIke” Mike is sorrel, Ike is palomino. Their dam, which we own, is “PG Pure Oleah” she by Palomino Playgun who is an own son of Playgun out of a smart little Lena daughter. She is out of an Ima Peppy San daughter by a Pure Olena daughter.

Their sire is FS Golden Ticket; we bred, raised, trained and jockey him. From top to bottom he is Frenchman’s Guy, Easily Smashed, Jody Otoole and Fe Fes Bug. He’s an 8-year-old stallion who currently still competes. He has won multiple futurities, multiple derbies, and holds multiple world and national titles in barrels, poles, and open stallion halter.

 

Q.  How are they doing now, and what have you learned about their personalities? 

A. Both MikeNIke are doing fantastic! They were born on day 340, but the first week, we were still dealing with some dysmaturity in their joints. Now at two weeks old, they are straightening up and looking great! They both received plasma at WCVS as their numbers were extremely low due to the loss of colostrum the day prior.  Both twins have their sire’s bubbly happy personality. Mike is the clown 24/7 and is always in your business. Ike guards the milk 24/7. If he sees anyone (including humans) get near his milk, he will run over and push you away from it! They are both extremely human friendly and act just like normal foals playing and getting into everything. They have constantly gained 20+ lbs. in each week!

 

Q.  Who has been your support team? 

A. Our support team has consisted of a few very great friends and clients that have helped us over the last couple weeks with everything from moving them, helping to rebreed PG Pure Oleah back to Ticket, doing weigh-ins for med dosage, to making sure Zack and I have food to eat at the end of the night.  Dr. Ted Harpold and his crew at West Central Vet Services in Rockville, Indiana, did a fantastic job with Ike’s hernia surgery – we can’t thank them enough.

 

Q. What else would you like readers to know? 

A. We will continue to update everyone on their success story as it unravels. Follow our Facebook pages to stay updated on MikeNIke, Rachel Cleary, Farm Star Equine Services, FS Golden Ticket- Stallion.

FS Golden Ticket stands to the public in Wingate, IN, at Farm Star Equine Services.