In reference to Que Serena (La Saguro X Tafilita) being bred to ZLA Ezio (Tobascco X HIA Raya Luna) and undisclosed SCID status. I am posting this long story in part because maybe some of you have similar stories that you'd like to share, (please email them if so) but also because perhaps there are people new to Arabian horses reading, that this bit of SCID personal experience will help. We lost our first foal this week to SCID, and I honestly never want go through anything like this again. Unfortunately my mare Que Serena's status was unknown at the time she was bred to ZLA Ezio and the stallion's sire and dam status had been disclosed as clear. I did not own Serena nor did I plan to own her at the time she was bred, nor did I arrange the breeding, even though I was boarding her. By the time I acquired ownership she was close to mid way through her pregnancy. Not that SCID or other genetic disorders such as CA didn't cross my mind, but it was too late to make any decisions in regards to this. So all I could do is remain hopeful for a beautiful healthy foal. I had no choice but to go along with the gamble. Several weeks before Serena foaled she started to bag, she was in exceptional health and carried the glow of a happy expectant mother all over. Now beings this was the first foal to actually be born to us on the farm (other than boarders) you can imagine the excitement we felt. I diligently prepared, and now I know how overboard I went, but the foaling stall was disinfected, camera set up..friends and family were happily engaged in watching the comings and goings of Serena waiting to foal. As the due date neared, I began sleeping in front of the computer and making frequent trips to the barn. The due date came and went.. (she was overdue) I think I had a total of 8 hours sleep in about three weeks time (exaggeration) but I was very very tired and was trying to maintain a full time job too. Finally the night arrived, as she went down I sprinted to the barn. Serena decided she should deliver against the stall wall, and I am sure everyone watching got such a charge out of me attempting to move a big mare who was in the process of delivering. I can't believe what adrenalin can do when one needs it. The rest of my family was sleeping (they were so tired of me saying I think it will be tonight) and I had left my cell phone in the house. So it was just me and I did it. We (Serena and I) delivered a big beautiful seemingly healthy bay/gray filly. I was instantly in LOVE. The filly seemed to have it all! A great color, a pretty back, nice legs and a beautiful head! I knew what her lines had produced before her and I was very pleased! This little filly was to my eyes what beautiful music is to my ears. So I named her Musica Sonadora (Dreamy Music) Musica stood/nursed and did everything she was supposed to within the appropriate time limits. I couldn't take my eyes off her, It was pure bliss thinking about this amazement or miracle of nature! I even called in sick the next day just to gaze at mama and baby in person. Camera still on, I watched her at work for the first few days. Serena was the best mama ever! So protective, yet gentle with her baby. At day four it was time for Musica to really find her legs at turnout time. With friends and family present we watched in awe & celebrated the grand moment! At three weeks, Musica could keep up with Serena running free in the field..They were breathtaking. I was so proud at the apparent health of the filly that I thought the gamble some breeders take might just be worth it. I was wrong, dead wrong. I learned the hardest way that one can learn. Shortly thereafter (3-4 weeks) Musica developed a runny nose and scours. No one else had a runny nose, so I wasn't sure where this came from, but everyone says scours is normal w/foal heat, and Serena was in heat. The vet ordered pink anti scour oral medicine w/probiotics and an injectable antibiotic for 6 days. Musica was still strong and frisky at this point..what a challenge to give her this treatment and deal with protective mama too! But I did it for her. After 6 days, she seemed to be back to normal for a time, then the runny nose came back. Okay, well, I told myself this has happened to some of my adult horses before, we'll deal with it. The vet couldn't culture because the bacteria would have been desensitized. So he ordered a broad spectrum oral antibiotic, once again we saw some improvement, but the filly wasn't really nursing well. So we did creep feeding as she had actually started eating grain/hay. She still seemed to be maintaining, but was awful quiet. I was supplementing and trying different natural treatments, still at this time thinking that the sire was SCID clear, so that couldn't be it. Well by last weekend she crashed suddenly, not eating at all, my efforts seemed so in vain! At first, I wanted a complete work up at the vet w/every test possible to get to the bottom of this. I am very open about my horses and what is going on, and this is how I learned that the grand dam was in fact SCID positive by talking about it. I couldn't get an emergency vet out the night she really struggled with staying alive (we have no all night clinics and only a couple of Equine vets here) So I sat up most of the night feeding her glucose water in a syringe. By morning it wasn't good. I hauled her to the vet anyway with the SCID testing form in tow. My vet has never tested for it before! Once I began to face the harsh realization I had been lied to about the status of her sire and this does seem like a SCID affected foal, I told him, only supportive treatment please. I want to know the results before I proceed any further. Just so you know Vet Gen will do a rush job at no extra charge in the case of a sick foal. I sat on the floor of the vet's office as he pumped IV fluids into her, crying as if I was losing a family member, my sweet little Music. So smart (halter broke already) so loving and kind. Poor Serena was in the trailer practically tearing it apart, so I had no choice but to take mama back home and wait. I knew the outcome was poor, I knew the night before sepsis had invaded her body. I felt terrible guilt feelings, and kept asking what could I have done different? After months and months of waiting and all the money put into the mare why were we being punished like this? later, I got the call that she had passed away. At that moment I went to the barn and sat in the stall with Serena and cried. Serena was very quiet, more quiet than I had ever seen her before. She looked and listened constantly, but didn't call out. She knew....she has always known something wasn't right with her filly. This is why she was so protective. A day later, Vet gen called with the results. Musica was SCID affected. I am so hurt and angry that I was deceived by the owner of the stallion ZLA Ezio (possibly Demoss Ezio now) However, the only thing I can do now is learn from this and test my own horses. I would also not buy a mare in foal if the SCID status is not proven to me. There's too much money and energy put into these horses to fail like this! I am not upset that my Que Serena is a carrier mare, and yes I do have her for sale, but I would disclose this to any potential buyers. Personally I have no problem breeding a carrier horse to a non-carrier, if this didn't happen we wouldn't have the some of great horses that we have today. However, then before breeding on the next generation the simple and inexpensive (compared to the cost of losing the foal) test needs to be done first! Also, readers, if not for the money involved, please do this for the sake of the mare. Que Serena is standing in her pen still (4-days later) looking and listening for her foal. It is one of the saddest most unnecessary things to put humans and horses through! Videos below, which I can barely watch without tears! |
| SCID Information and my story |
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| SCID Testing from Vet Gen |
| SCID from the Arabian Horse Association |
| Iowa Arabian Horse Association SCID Information |
| Videos of Que Serena and Musica Sonadora |
| FYI There have been many falsehoods brought forth from the breeder in regards to this situation of "carrier status" and the sire of the foal. I made an attempt to speak with her in person in regards to this and she refuses to return my request for contact. If people are not honest about the carrier status of their horses, and provide for testing, situations like the birth/death of foals with genetic disorders will continue. Testing and disclosure of genetic disorders the RIGHT thing to do before breeding horses. Carriers + Non Carriers can never produce an affected foal. Breeding selections are made from many factors and the carrier status of the pair should be one of the most important factors. The test is simple and less expensive as compared to the cost of losing a foal. If you would like more information on this situation, or have any particular concerns regarding my dealings with the breeder I am referring to you may contact me privately. My personal email |