Pregnant Mare Urine: Some information gathered off the Internet:
"An estrogen replacement therapy drug, taken by more than 10 million women in the United States every day, is made in part from the urine of pregnant mares.
Currently, there are around 37,000 broodmares on 422 PMU farms and ranches in Canada and North Dakota. They cross all breeds but are most commonly registered Quarter Horses. The urine is collected over a five- to six-month period (October through March), coinciding with the winter season. Barns housing the pregnant mares are temperature controlled.
The mares are put to pasture in March, and in April or May they deliver some 30,000 foals that are weaned through September. During the summer, with the addition of a stallion to each band of mares, the horses breed naturally, and the cycle begins again."
The foals born to the mares are of concern to us. These are the animals that this organization is looking to spur interest in and to promote the finding of good holmes for.
"Some view the foals as surplus for disposal, a commercial byproduct of the industry. And yes, foals are sold at auction by the hundreds to feedlot operators, who then send them to slaughter for European and Asian meat markets. The NAERIC insists that it is actively involved in trying to place those foals elsewhere through buyers' assistance plans. For three years, the Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines, a southeast Pennsylvania farm, has been purchasing foals from equine ranchers and assisting in placing the young horses with new owners. They buy up to 50 each year. In 2000, a Canadian counterpart, PMU Foal Quest, purchased 300 foals at risk for slaughter and is looking for new homes for them."
There are other 'rescue' organizations out there, and we applaud their efforts. We wholeheartedly support their efforts to find good homes for these beautiful animals.
Again, the National PMU Registry does not take a position for or against the process, only to support the placement of PMU foals and mares.
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