The PMU Problem

I feel compelled to draw attention to a long-standing sore spot in the horse industry. For those who have never heard of PMU farms or more specifically, the estrogen-replacement drug called Premarin ("pregnant mare urine"), perhaps this post will serve as a wake-up call. These farms are set up to keep mares perpetually pregnant and wearing these diaper-like contraptions to collect the urine from which the drug is manufactured. They are given very little water to ensure a high concentration of hormones in their urine, so the animals experience extreme and constant thirst.

Of course, with pregnancy comes birth. What happens to the 60,000 plus foals born at these pee-pee farms every year? Well, some are sold privately and some even make their way to rescue operations, but most of these "by-products" are sold by the pound, fattened up, and sent to slaughter. The fact is, because mares are usually re-bred about one month after foaling and their foals disposed of shortly thereafter, it is difficult for a foal to survive after being weaned and stressed at so young an age. Above is a picture of a rescued PMU colt that is available for adoption.

Personally, I find this entire process dispicable. Shame on doctors who routinely prescibe estrogen-replacement drugs for nothing more than the "discomforts" of a natural life process known as menopause. Rarely is Premarin life-saving; yet, as a synthetic human hormone replacement, it has been directly tied to uterine and other types of cancers, and subsequent Premarin lawsuits. Yet, it is the third most prescribed drug in the world (behind Tylenol).

Do menopausal women understand the true cost of this drug, both in terms of equine life, and their own long term health? Of course, I haven't experienced menopause, but I made it through two pregnancies, and I'll admit that at times it was uncomfortable. Should hundreds of mares go through the same discomfort, plus water deprivation and a urine collector, which does not allow them to turn around, lie down, or excercise; then sacrifice their babies, so that I might be more comfortable?

By the way, my mother is post-menopausal and survived without HRT drugs though they were suggested and encouraged by her doctor. In her opinion, strong perscription drugs are unneccessary for short-term discomfort, especially for symptoms that can be remedied in so many other ways.

Thoroughbreds are especially close to my heart and many ex-race mares wind up at PMU farms, but the fact is that mares of every breed can end up there, particularly draft horses because of the volume of urine they produce. They are often bred to light breeds as the foals are irrelevant (think of the dressage prospects). Granted, some farms take great care in their breeding programs to make an extra buck in the selling of the foals, but for the most part, these babies are nothing more than a by-product.

Anyone wanting more information about Premarin foals can go to www.unitedpegasus.com, which deals in ex-racehorses as well as PMU foals. It is one of the upstanding rescue operations mentioned above, and one of the few.

How can anyone do this to these wonderful animals? I have to assume they don't know any better. People who are part of the problem may not even realize there is a problem. So that's where I come in and I hope I've done my job. Please, mothers and sisters and aunts and grandmothers, find other ways to deal with your menopausal problems and know that it won't last forever.

Don't force it on the babies.

Horses Make Good Drinking Buddies

So we are all aware of the perils of drinking and driving, indeed it is not a laughing matter. However, have we given much thought to the perils of drinking and riding? In my experience, yes. My mother-in-law is locally famous for consuming a couple stiff drinks before heading down the road on her Thoroughbred in the middle of the night with a canteen filled with whatever. Fortunately the horse seems to have enough brains for the both of them because there have never been any incidents that I'm aware of.

My husband is another that seems a little more jolly about a leisurely trail ride if he can sip a beer along the way, as you can see in this picture; one of my favorites of him. That's Amanda under him, his mother's horse and more suited to him size-wise than my little paints. And anyways she is used to babysitting the slightly inebriated.

For me it just brings to mind the heart-wrenching scene from Black Beauty where his drunk rider pushes him to run as he was loosing a shoe, which caused a wreck that horribly scared Beauty's knees for life. I'm comforted at least to know that no horse I know is obedient enough to go along with that senario.

You see, unlike vehicles, horses do have minds of their own. Since they are the ones with their feet on the ground, they really have the final say. And, of course, they don't drink. Well, for the most part; mom-in-law did have a gelding she said liked apricot brandy. But my concern is more for the drinker sitting six feet up on a moving animal.

A horse, unless it's blind, probably won't walk into a telephone pole, but a low branch can do funny things to someone on a wobbly seat and that's a pretty long drop.

So if you have to have a drink and then put some miles behind you, I'm just saying go for a ride, instead of a drive.

Oops. Maybe I should be more specific.

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The Horse Bug

There is something magical that happens between little girls and horses at a very young age. I'm sure that some boys are also afflicted, but the boys I'm most familiar with my brothers, who are scared and distrustful of horses. Girls are my area of expertise.

Now, I didn't grow up around horses. My parents let me ride when they could, which wasn't often, but the first time they put me on a pony I was hooked. I don't really remember it, but I know the story; a man with a pony and a camera was wandering the neighborhood. The pony was so cute, parents couldn't resist. The man would dress the lucky child like a little cow poke and prop 'em up in the saddle. As you can see in the photo, I felt right at home.

The older and more capable I became the more I learned and found ways to be involved with horses and now I'm pretty much up to my eyeballs.


My daughters, on the other hand, are being raised with horses. Tickles in particular is a patient and gentle with them and a good teacher and confidence builder and horses like that, I know, are what can give kids the horse bug for life.

Well, that's ok with me, I feel that horses, even more than other pets, can help teach kids valuable lessons in responsibility and the value in a hard day's work caring for an animal so much larger that depends on them totally. Plus, if they stay involved, horses can keep kids out of trouble in later years.

So that said, yes, I do encourage my girls to become involved with Tuff and especially Tickles. Though she can have her snotty moments with my husband and I, she seems to understand and is extra gentle with children. Here are some pictures of her doing what she does best-babysitting.

I know that they may get addicted, as I was. But there are worse, although probably cheaper addictions. I just pity their husbands.

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Always in Training!

At the present time, I have some time off. From my horses, that is. They're loafing around in my in-law's 10 acre pasture until the snow melts and we can fix up the pasture and fix the fence at our new place. While I'm enjoying the break from tromping out in the cold to feed and clean stalls, I sure miss my guys!

My time is not wasted however, because every year around this time when outside is less than inviting, I work on my game plans for the following year. My thoughts are with my horses even if I'm not. I generally sit down with as many training books and magazines as I can find and decide just what my goals are for each horse, and all the steps I can think of to get them there.

You see, my horses, no matter how old they get, are always in training. There is always more for them to learn, and it just makes them more willing saddle horses in the end, I think. For instance, once Tickles tackled Western, and underwent some barrel racing work, we switched gears. I started riding her English and had begun some jumping excercises when the weather turned.

Not feeling like riding? There are tons of things to do with your horse on the ground. Anyone familiar with Pat Parelli knows about the seven games, but I also find things to do on the longe line, I find new toys to introduce in mini efforts to develop truly 'bomb proof' horses: balloons, boxes, tarps, flags, plasic bags, etc... I'll work on leading and tying manners, backing, and pivoting around obstacles. There's a lot of groundwork that can be done in the yucky weather that would be unsuitable for riding.

So I'm working on my lists for this year and it's actually a treat. In the past years I've also been writing for 2-4 colts that had to be ready for race training, now I can just work with my own two guys. So I'll let you know how it all goes in a few months after I've implemented my ideas for the year.

Of course, one always must allow for adjustment and flexibility; you know what they say about best laid plans!

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Animal - Rights Fighters Vs. Animal Right - Fighters

I'm gradually going through mystery boxes here at our new house, and yesterday I found some ancient back issues of my favorite, treasured Horse & Rider and Horse Illustrated magazines. I derive much of my horse-related inspiration from this and always seems to stumble upon something new.

This time was no different, as I read with both interest and chagrin an article about "animal rights." This is a subject I care about deeply. However, I use quotations around the term because at times I believe there are extremes to this philosophy that are not really applicable to the term as a whole.

As far as horses are concerned, there is a big difference between the people working to improve equine welfare, and those self-proclaimed experts who feel that riding, driving, fencing-in, shoeing, or indeed, owning a horse are unnatural and therefore constitute abuse.

These people, who apparently know better than I what's best for my animals, search for reasons to condemn horse owners for their use of techniques and behaviors necessary when dealing with horses. For example:

Using a crop, which makes a startling noise rather than inflicting any sensation of pain. This is decried as whipping - same as a long whip (which in fact never actually touches the horse).

Shoes nailed into the horse's feet, which again, does not hurt, and protects and preserves the feet. Until horses learn to tie, I'm afraid sneakers are out.

Carrying the weight of a rider, I'll admit, is unnatural and not what horses may have been designed for (although the design works quite well!). Of course, rugged SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) were not originally designed for soccer moms, but it turns out they've adapted quite well, and probably receive better maintenance and more conscientious care than they otherwise may have gotten.

Fencing in and feeding horses, which were meant to roam freely and graze. Give me a break! My horses recieve a better diet than they would be able to forage, as well as vet care, clean water, and shelter from storms. Do we forget about all the wild horses that starve, freeze, and fall to predators, or die from diseases or injuries that are easily treated?

Here in Idaho I'm guess I'm pretty lucky - I've never had to cross a picket line to enter a horse show or been cursed for riding my horse in public. In fact, I more often run into the "old time cowboys" who still believe in breakin' colts. To them, I am a fanatic who goes in for all that natural horsemanship hoopla. It's true, I prefer gentling instead of breaking; the so-called coddle-training. So maybe it's all relative. I just feel that one must respect horsemen (and women) who have gotten their feet wet and know firsthand about horses' needs and behaviors.

This is not to say that there are no good intentions behind the lobbyists; they just seem grossly misguided. They seem to care more about being right than about the lives of the animals they're "fighting" for. What would they suggest we do with all of the over five million domestic horses in the United States if horsekeeping were banned? Turn them out into the streets to fend for themselves?

Are my horses miserable slaves held captive for my enjoyment? I think not. At least not anymore than the family dog when walked on a leash, performing a happy trick for a doggy snack, or prevented from sniffing a neighbor's crotch. How unnatural is that?

For that matter, weren't people originally designed to live in caves or shelters made of hides, and to wear animal furs for warmth? How far would we as a spieces have gotten without the mutually beneficial partnership we formed with animals, especially the horse? That relationship led us to the incredibly unnatural existence we live today.

So, I guess it's easy to have high and mighty standards for others and their pets when you have a new car and an air-conditioned condo: please, pat yourself on the back. Go ahead and wear your polyester and spandex and bond with your Furby or Chia Pet.

But, somehow, I just don't think that's natural.

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The New Spread

So my husband and I have bought our first house. We spent the last month moving in with our two little girls in tow. Of the 25-plus cats that we had before, my husband allowed only one in the new place. So of course we took our little Siamese fluff ball, Cassie, and that's it for pets. (Other than a couple of fish tanks and some rather weird fish.)

The horses will be along soon, or whenever we can get our little pasture ready. I can hardly wait! I miss my babies (I wonder do they miss me?) The problem is this confounded winter weather! We barely got moved in when the snow came and the ground froze, which was actually something we were waiting for: no more mud! However, the biting cold temperatures make working outside a bit less than pleasant.

Overall, though, I'm excited. There is much to do to get the house in order and, of course, there's meeting the neighbors. We were fortunate to find a house that is actually in a neighborhood with lots of small children to play with my kids. But also, all of the houses on this side of the street (on the outskirts of a small subdivision) have huge lots that are zoned for two horses each. It's odd moving horses and hay into a normal "neighborhood." We're so used to living out in the country. But it's growing on me as we've broached the subject of our horses with the neighbors. No one seems to mind or care; in fact since moving in I've discovered horses across from us, directly behind us, and within a block on either side of us.

So, I think it'll be fun having my babes just outside my window - and only them! My chores will go so much faster with just my two horses instead of ten! Of course, right now "grandma" is babysitting them for me, so I have no horse-related chores at all. In this cold weather, I'm really appreciating that!

I hope all you horse-people are enjoying my blog as much as I enjoy writing it. As I've said before, because I've been so busy the last month or so, I haven't been able to post as often as I'd like. I have found some sponsors, however, to help me to keep my blog going. Please support my efforts by checking out Risk Management Jobs, especially if you or someone you know is currently looking for employment or would like to post an online resume.

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Lost and Found

Here we are in early December, and I'm finally getting back to my blog. November was spent moving into a new house and I'm so glad that chore is out of the way...well, almost. The pasture still has to be cleaned out and some fencing done before I can bring Tuff and Tickles home, but I'll write more about that later. Right now they are still at my in-law's place, hopefully staying out of trouble.

I say "hopefully" because Tickles has already found herself in a heap of it due to her gifted ability to remove herself from pastures and enclosures she doesn't particularly care for.

This brings me, in a round-about-way, to my topic today of pet IDs. What happens when your dog escapes from the yard and disappears? It could depend upon whether he is wearing a collar with current tags. Same with a cat. (Heck, they even make tags for children in case they get lost!) Pet ID tags can mean the difference between getting your critters back or not, maybe even saving their lives.

But for horses this area is a bit sketchy. Horses don't wear collars, and it's generally known that it is dangerous to leave halters on them when you aren't handling them. What happens to escapees? Well this time, in Tickles' case, she hung around outside of her pasture for a while (surmised from strategically located piles of poop), then wandered up the road home. My mother-in-law found her in the front yard the next morning. All the other horses in her former pasture were still there; she had simply decided to leave.

What worries me is what could have happened if Tickles hadn't come home? If a car had hit her on the road the occupants could have been killed or injured, as well as she. I am working on ID kits to keep in case the horses are lost or stolen. It includes photos and descriptions of their markings and scars. But that's so that I can find them (hopefully) if they happen to disappear. The question is, how do you mark or tag your horses with your address and phone number so that when they're spotted, you can be contacted? I've heard that during disaster evacuations, horse owners mark their animals by writing contact information onto duct tape secured to their halters or shaved into their hair or on tabs tied into the mane.

There has to be a more permanant solution. I just haven't found it yet; but obviously I have a need. This last incident was not even remotely the first time that Tickles has escaped; and with a new environment soon to be at her disposal, this issue is deserving of some serious thought. I would appreciate any ideas you may have on the subject.

And by the way, if you see a small spotted mare ambling down your street, please drop me a line! Meanwhile, I'll be trying to come up with a better idea.