Dunmore twins defy odds of 10,000 to 1

ODDS in the region of 10,000 to 1 aren't something you'll find many backing in Ballybrit but they have paid off for one extremely lucky horse owner in North Galway.

Living twins in the horse world are exceptionally rare, and even more rare apparently in the Connemara pony breed.

However, despite the odds and thanks to a huge amount of luck and good fortune, farmer Jimmy Connaughton has been watching twin Connemara foals thrive over the past two weeks.One of his Connemara mares gave birth to twin colt foals on his lands at Beagh, Dunmore.

It no doubt came as a huge shock for the first time mother and even a bigger surprise for Jimmy, who had four other mares in foal at the same time.

Usually Jimmy has all the mares in foal scanned but this particular mare wasn't close to home on the day and only four mares were checked. 

“I noticed that she was fairly heavy but it just never dawned on me that she could be carrying two,” explains Jimmy.

And it was lucky that the mare wasn't scanned as the owner would usually be advised to foresake one egg as twins don't usually survive and the life of the mare can also be put at a higher risk.

Luck came the mare's away again as Jimmy happened to be walking through the field just as she was foaling. “I just came upon her when she was foaling. I saw her down and one foal was nearly out and I thought she was in trouble.“The foal was small but healthy and then I looked at her again I saw two more legs. I gave her a hand and I was amazed that both of the foals were alive,” recalls Jimmy.

The new mum has really taken to her twins and Jimmy says they're “thriving”.

Although the colt foals are twins, they look quite different with one being a much sought after strong dun foal with black socks and black mane. The other is a bay and is also very strong and thriving.