The Story of
MIDGE and MYRTLE

As told by Elizabeth Kennedy

Meet Midge and Myrtle, our beautiful and unique Clydesdale twins. Twin births in the horse world are not common, and having a draft mare and both foals live to tell the story is even more unusual.

We acquired Highlands Lady Nathan, known to us as "Claudia," in the fall of 2006. We knew the mare was bred and expecting an April foal. As April approached, we watched with great anticipation as Claudia grew larger and larger. Exceeding her due date, we wondered if we would ever see a foal! On the evening of April 25, it was clear that Claudia was ready to foal. We watched from outside her stall as she gave birth to a beautiful bay filly with 4 white socks. Thrilled with the filly, we named her "Myrtle." As we dried the foal and cleaned up the mare, it became clear that something unusual was happening. Indeed, Claudia was not done yet; she was clearly giving birth to another foal! In the space of five minutes, we had another bay filly, and even more amazing, she was alive! The second filly was so tiny compared to her sister, barely the size of our dogs. We decided then to call her "Midget."

Days of round the clock care paid off. Midge, after 2 weeks, was able to stand on her own! Still too small to nurse from the mare, she was bottle fed for the first month of her life. She gradually was weaned to a bucket of milk, and began to nurse alongside Myrtle after she was a month old.

Against the odds, these twin fillies have celebrated three birthdays now, and are a sensation everywhere they go! The twins enjoy making public appearances every chance they get, whether it is at a local horse show or helping to raise funds for good causes.

The infant Midge with Ralph

The Twinsikins first time in print, in the Traverse City Record-Eagle, May 18, 2007.
(http://static.record-eagle.com/photo.htm)

The Twinsikins have always LOVED meeting people, even when they were little foals.

The cake from the Twinsikins' first birthday party

Myrtle greeting guests at the Twinsikins' second birthday party;
"Is that a CAMERA?"

The Twinsikins meeting people and supporting the Munson
Healthcare Women's Cancer Fund at the Lope For Hope Classic.

Grand Champion Midge LOVES the trophy and ribbon she won at the Lope For Hope Classic 2009!

Myrtle, Midge, and part of their team ready to meet visitors at the 2010 Equine Affaire!

The Twinskins' Gigantic Third Birthday Cake: 180 chocolate, yellow, and carrot cupcakes!

Midge showing off her mushroom coat for the Mesick Mushroom Festival Grand Parade

Myrtle dressed for the 2010 Mesick Mushroom Parade