Will and Grace, two striking quarter horses, recently celebrated their tenth birthday at Sweet Cypress Ranch outside LaBelle, Florida. Their journey from fragile newborns to robust horses is nothing short of remarkable, given the rarity and high-risk nature of twin births in horses.

The twins were born under challenging circumstances. Multiple births in horses are extremely rare and often fatal. Most mares that conceive twins lose one or both foals before birth, and if the mother manages to carry them to term, the chance of both surviving is about one in 10,000.

If you have two foals, they are vying for space, and the chances of them coming out alive and well are slim.”

Grace, the smaller of the two, was born prematurely and suffered from “angular limb deformity,” a condition that made it difficult for her to stand. In the wild, her chances of survival would have been slim, and in most commercial stables, she might have been euthanized due to the high cost and effort required for her treatment. However, owners Jo Carns and Al Curry were determined to save her.

Grace’s early months were filled with surgeries, stitches, splints, and confinement. Walking was a significant challenge. Jo and Al researched her condition extensively and found an equine specialist team willing to take on her case. Through a regimen of splints and bandages, Grace gradually improved.

Jo described Grace as “all girl,” a fiercely determined horse with charm to spare. Will, on the other hand, was characterized as spunky. The efforts of a dedicated team of veterinarians, including a specialist several hours away, were crucial in Grace’s recovery. Despite her challenges, she never left the ranch and grew stronger each day.

Will and Grace, in back, enjoy the outdoors. Photo by The News-Press

Due to Grace’s early health issues, Jo and Al were advised against breeding her. Instead, Jo said, Grace became the “ranch princess” and mothered many of the ranch’s weanling foals. From her 45-pound start in life, she now weighs 1,040 pounds.

Will had a different path. He traveled to Clewiston to become a well-trained ranch horse under the care of Katy Thomas. Katy’s mother also bought Will’s half-brother, Peppy, and his father, Tex, who is now 26. Recently, a mutual decision was made to return Will to Sweet Cypress Ranch for his retirement. “His next chapter will be a bit less busy,” said Jo, “and his work schedule will be easy compared to his years of day working cattle.” Will has grown into a huge, well-boned quarter horse, now weighing 1,224 pounds.

Now grown up some, Grace, left, nuzzles her twin brother, Will. Photo by Keith Lovejoy

These days, Jo teaches young riders and competes in barrel races, while Al oversees daily operations at their two hay and feed stores in LaBelle and Fort Myers. The birth and survival of Will and Grace is an extraordinary story. Nicola Jarvis, senior veterinary surgeon at a horse sanctuary in the UK, highlighted the rarity of such an occurrence.

“Although mares quite often conceive twins, it is rare that both embryos survive,” she said. The story of Will and Grace shows that with the love of their owners, and help from local vets they were able to go from fragile foals to strong, healthy horses. Watch below for a look at these amazing miracles!

Sources: Daily Mail | News-Press