Earlier this year, Louisiana-based Coteau Grove Ranch received a very unexpected surprise when their Villa d’Este mare gave birth to healthy ponies.
Before the mare was released, the ranch wondered why it was so big, not knowing that it was carrying an extra pony. To their surprise, both ponies were no worse off dressed and now, more than seven months later, their sons Gift box have begun to develop into their skin.
Jacob Cyprian, pony curator at Sunset, La., operations, witnessed the birth and has accompanied the herd of ponies in their every move. He said they were celebrities who resided at the farm.
“Their health is good. At birth, both are below average, but they are growing and developing,” says Cyprian.
“Anyone who visits the farm is (says) ‘Where are the twins?’ They’re quite popular. They’re maturing well, they handle well, they’re very sweet horses.”
Although both ponies were in good shape when they were born, one was always smaller than the other. However, Cyprian says that the smaller foal has a personality that makes up for in its size.
Gift Box Colt (1) at Coteau Grove Farms
“They’re complete opposites,” says Cyprian. “The bigger pony is really comfortable and the smaller pony is a rogue.” “He’s picky about his big brother, but the little one gives me a good sign (that) he’s showing his personality.
“He showed that he was going to be something. That’s what I wanted to see, the character of these horses. He was one of the standout things.”
Gift Box Colt (2) at Coteau Grove Farms
Most mares are not so successful when they carry two foals. According to Dr Chris Newton, DVM and shareholder at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, about 14% of equine pregnancies are twins, and typically, one of the fetuses is removed manually “before 16 days” “.
Newton says that if these pregnancy patterns are not followed, mares can miscarry or give birth late or have difficulty giving birth, resulting in the loss of both the mare and one or both foals.
Villa d’Este and her twin Gift Box ponies at Coteau Grove Farm
Luckily for Cyprian, his biggest task with the ponies now is to try to give each pony a unique identity before they start being sold as ponies.
“Right now, we’re looking forward to naming them,” says Cyprian. “We’re in a group message, people are focusing their minds…They’re separate (on the grasslands). We need them to find their own way.
“Both will see sales round, that’s the plan for now. Both will hit sales every year. One will sell in Louisiana and the other will sell in Kentucky.”
As for the mare, Villa d’Este, she recovered well after giving birth and returned as a pony for Coteau Grove No parole who became the farm’s first purebred 1st place winner in the 2020 Woody Stephens Stake presented by Claiborne Farms (G1).
Along with looking after Villa d’Este and her twins, Cyprian helps manage the remaining horses on the estate. He said they have about 150 cows, with 49 of them weaning.
“We’re up there. We’re trying to get that Derby, and if God says so, we’ll get it,” Cyprian said. “We’re really busy, so we don’t open the door for people to see (the twins). But people have been reaching out to come and see them.
“We’re so lucky to have them; they’re fun to be around. Everything’s good.”
