Double play, the horse way

Twin palomino ponies Will and Grace were frolicking at O'Sullivan Farms in Browns Valley on Wednesday, about a week after they came into the world in a rare twin birth at the horse breeding ranch on Everglade Trail.

Shayla Sullivan, who owns the ranch with her husband, did the bulk of the work herself in the nighttime delivery of the twins on March 28 with the veterinarian not having yet arrived.

Given that four ultrasounds showed no sign of twins, Sullivan was understandably surprised at the arrival of the twosome at 9 p.m. - first, Will at 58 pounds, and then Grace at 38 pounds.

Grace was a breech delivery, positioned and delivered by Sullivan.

According to an Oklahoma State University Web site, twins born to horses occur at the frequency of about one in 10,000.

Sullivan said that in her more than 30 years of horse breeding, she has never had twins born at the ranch. She said horses normally self-abort if they are carrying twins.

Will and Grace, half Arabian and half quarter-horse, along with the mother, are healthy and happy a week after the birth, Sullivan said.