They could be the poster children for a rescue program- what great beasties they are!

Believe me, I am as outraged and heartbroken over the fates of these horses as most horse lovers, but I must say the industry has improved greatly in the last 4 years. I attended a Premarin foal auction last fall and those registered heathly 4-6 month old weanlings were a far cry from the sickly unregistered 10 week olds at the auctions several years ago.

There are alternative drugs to Premarin but for a select few women, Premarin is the only one that helps. My friend's mother is one of them and she is a horse owner that was devastated when she found out where it came from. Unfortunately, the synthetic alternatives did not help her out and for her own health and the mental health of her loved ones, she is back on Premarin. She is also the owner of two Premarin foals--it's her way of trying to give back.

I firmly recommend the Western Horseman article to everyone--I believe it was either in the December or January issue. I don't have it anymore, I gave it to my friend mother.

Be well,
Ace

I have seen what happens to some women who do not have hormon treatments. They are the people that others make fun of because they experience hair growth on their faces. Does the "Bearded" lady ring a bell? I know someone who is personally afflicted with this and I have seen how people snicker behind her back as she walks by. I am not really sure of about what women did before they discovered this treatment. I do not defend the industry, I believe that the public should be made aware. I also believe it should be regulated and that the cruelty must stop.

Making the community aware of the foals' plight is a noble one. But as with recommending Mustangs for the re-enactment community, there is a catch. Raising and training a "baby" is very time consuming business. If you have never done it before, it can be a VERY frustrating experience. If you have the patience and the time, it can be one of the most wonderful experiences of your life. If not, you run the danger of human/equine personality conflict and can ruin the experience for both of you.

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I think that this specific topic might be better suited for the "Off Topic" Equestrian thread.

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You are absolutely correct and I apologize for not doing so in my first reply

A man In Australia has recently put a patent on a horse urine bag. It hangs on the mare (who is in foal) and prevents contamination. The resulting urine is collected in a chamber which is located under the belly. The man who thought up the idea owns a stud and is advertising the concept for use in the stud industry as the urine is, excuse the pun, a waste product. Tests on urine so far proves that it is of far better quality than urine using the traditional methods - and the foals arent killed!

PS - sorry if someone has wrote about this so far, too lazy tonight to read the whole thread.

This topic caught my eye, and with respect to it's possible "off topic" nature I'd like to add a bit of information.

We adopted a Percheron cross PMU colt last October from the United Pegasus Foundation. This foundation goes direct to the feedlot (typically Canada) and takes foals destined for the meat auction.

If you intend to adopt any PMU, make sure you quarenteen the little bugger for several months. Like at least 4! Once they get over their respiratory illess, they typically are harboring ringworm as well.

We have several cattle/horse ranchers in our county who are up in a huge fluff because of a recent strangles epidemic. It came in on the wings of a PMU shipment. So, do open your homes to these little fellas, but take responsible precautions and safeguard your other steeds.