Saturday morning at 4:45 a.m., we checked the camera, and there she was! Welcome to the world, baby Pegasus!
After months of anticipation, Meg delivered a beautiful, healthy filly, and we couldn't have been more excited to meet the Sanctuary's newest arrival.
A Surprise We Never Saw Coming
When Meg came to the Sanctuary, we had no idea she was pregnant.
As her belly grew, we knew a foal was on the way, but we weren't quite sure what to expect. Now that she's here, it's pretty obvious! With those huge feet, big head, and sturdy build, Pegasus is every bit a Belgian Draft Horse.
A Perfect First Day
Thankfully, Meg had no complications during delivery. From the very beginning, little Peggy was nursing well, moving around confidently, and showing all the signs of a healthy newborn.
In addition to her standard foaling care, we did something extra special. We carefully collected and saved Meg's placenta so the vital amnion can be used to help other horses in need of healing treatments.
Twenty-four hours after birth, we ran bloodwork to make sure she had received enough antibodies from her mother through her colostrum. The results were exactly what we hoped for—Peggy passed with flying colors!
Mare & Foal Checkup Day
A few days later, Dr. Metcalf came out to perform a thorough mare-and-foal exam to make sure both mom and baby were thriving. The verdict on Meg? She looks fabulous.
No additional medical care is needed—just some extra grain and groceries to help support her while she nurses her growing girl.
Pegasus also received a glowing review. Overall, she was healthy, happy, and thriving. In fact, her exam medically confirmed what we already suspected: She has the cutest eyelashes in the world!
A Few Tiny Things to Watch
While Pegasus is doing wonderfully, Dr. Metcalf did identify a couple of minor concerns we'd like to stay ahead of.
The area where her umbilical cord was attached was slightly larger and more sensitive than expected. Out of caution, she was started on a course of antibiotics in case she was developing a small umbilical hernia. She's also receiving foal probiotics to help support her growing digestive system.
Finding Her Footing
During her exam, Dr. Metcalf noticed that the tendons in the backs of her legs were a little lax, causing some shifting in her feet as she stood and moved.
Fortunately, this isn't uncommon in young foals.
After spending months folded up inside mom, sometimes those tendons simply need a little time to stretch and strengthen. We kept a close eye on her and hoped she'd grow out of it naturally.
Her Very First Hoof Trim
A week later, Pegasus was still showing some of the same movement patterns, so Dr. Metcalf decided it was time for another milestone: Her very first hoof trim!
It may not sound exciting, but proper hoof care starts early—especially for a growing draft horse with those giant feet. The trim will help support healthy development as she continues to grow into those long legs.
Growing Up Sanctuary Style
From surprise pregnancy to healthy foal, Meg and Pegasus have already given us quite the journey.
We're grateful that both mama and baby are doing so well, and we can't wait to watch Peggy grow, play, and discover the world around her. Something tells us this big-footed little girl is going to keep us on our toes.
