Twins are a fascinating sight in the human world, but in the equine world, they’re practically unheard of. The odds of a mare giving birth to twin foals are just 1 in 10,000. Compare that to humans, where about 3 in 100 births result in twins, and you can see why this is such a rare event.
Even when a mare does conceive twins, only about 9% of those pregnancies make it to term. That’s what makes Tiki’s story so extraordinary. Tiki, a 16-year-old American Paint horse, beat the odds and gave birth to not just one, but two healthy foals.
In 2011, Tiki delivered her twins at the Colney and Koontz Hospital in Columbia City, Indiana. Her owners, the Mason family, were prepared for the rare event, having confirmed her twin pregnancy through ultrasound.
The first foal, a colt, was born just before midnight, weighing a healthy 86 pounds. Ten minutes later, his sister, a filly, arrived, weighing 59 pounds. Despite being smaller, the filly was up and walking within minutes—an impressive feat for any newborn.
Horses aren’t naturally designed to carry and care for twin foals. In many cases, mares will reject one or both babies. But Tiki proved to be an exceptional mother. She embraced her role wholeheartedly, lovingly caring for her twins, whom the Masons named Woodcock Pocket and Charming Opal.
At 16 years old, Tiki’s first-time motherhood journey was not only beautiful but incredibly rare. Her unwavering love and care for her twins made her a truly remarkable mare—a heartwarming reminder of nature’s wonders.
