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.