Mama horse who lost her baby ‘adopts’ orphaned foal as her own

This mama horse gave birth to a stillborn foal, and her grief was replaced by joy when she had an orphaned foal.

Queen Uniek is a Friesian mare living in the Netherlands. She was expecting her first child. However, she realized something was wrong when she went into labor.

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The horse was visibly anxious, running in circles in her barn and flaming her lips. Yvonne, her owner sat beside her, talking and scratching to calm her down.

Uniek finally delivered her offspring about an hour later, but the veterinarians who assisted her birth found out the foal wasn’t breathing.
They tried to revive it, but it quickly became clear that the baby wouldn’t survive.

Yvonne comforting Queen Uniek in labor
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Uniek continued to lick the dead foal, apparently trying to bring it back to life. The foal was finally released from the stable, while Yvonne stayed behind as a comfort to the grieving mother.

The horse was devastated and kept looking for her newborn. It was obvious that the horse was suffering from emotional and physical pain.

Then, Yvonne’s friend called to tell her they had an orphaned foal named Rising Star in their care. However, they weren’t sure if Uniek would be willing to accommodate another horse’s foal.

Queen Uniek and Rising Star being introduced to each other
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Rising Star was loaded into a van, and they brought him to the farm.

Everyone hoped that the foal would be adopted by the horse. After losing their families, they needed each others.

Uniek and the foal fell in love instantly when Uniek was introduced to him by his staff. Rising Star snorted at the horse and did the same.

The elder horse did a little dance and licked the foal, and that’s when Yvonne could tell she would be happy to care for Rising Star as her own.

Yvonne with Queen Uniek and Rising Star
YouTube

“It was a very special moment. I had no idea that this would happen. We knew instantly that Uniek accepted Rising Star,” Yvonne told The Dodo.

Yvonne visited their stable that day and observed that Uniek had become very protective over Rising Star.

Since then, the couple has been inseparable. Rising Star was always with Uniek, showing her motherly instinct to protect her children.

Rising Star would be in his happiest form whenever Yvonne would take her horses out to the fields. As any young animal, the foal would play and run around. Uniek watches over the foal all the time. She wouldn’t let him go too far.

Queen Uniek and Rising Star out in the field
YouTube

The Dodo shared their story on their YouTube channel, and many people were happy to see this mother and son’s relationship blossom. Here are some of the reactions.

“Somewhere in the heaven, the foal’s mother is taking care of Uniek’s baby,” wrote one.

“Wow! I’ve never seen an animal accept an orphan baby that fast. What a great mommy,” another commented.

“I love that they are completely different and yet completely accepting of each other,” said one.

Click on the video below to see this equine duo’s adorable bond.

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