PMU Foal Information
Dragon Lily, my first PMU foal!
This webpage is designed to answer your questions about PMU foals and help you find the right place for you to adopt. We will try to be objective and fair to all PMU rescues listed here. We do not endorse any one rescue over another. We have no knowledge of the different rescues operating procedures other than the information they have listed on their webpages. We will not be held responsible for any misinformation that may have been given to us. Please contact any rescues you may be interested in and ask for references.
Want to visit a PMU farm and see what they are really like? Pictures of a North Dakota PMU farm . You can also visit the webpage for this farm at MLJ Horse Barn . Marci and Chug have a very nice site that tells what it's like on a breeder's farm.
According to recent NAERIC numbers, about 33,000 foals are born each year on farms affiliated with NAERIC. About two-thirds of these foals are purchased by people all over Canada and the United States. They are used for breeding and showing. But what about the other one-third?? Those approximately 11,000 foals are the ones that need our help! Most of those 11,000 foals end up going to slaughter. Why?? Very plainly, there are too many foals and not enough buyers in a 4-6 week period every fall. These foals are not less worthy. They are not of lesser quality. Many are registered. But there just aren't enough people to buy them all.
While there are always 'bad apples' in any profession, most PMU farmers take good care of their animals. They are regularly inspected and must meet many requirements set out by the regulating agencies. While this is a business and must be run like one, most of the farmers care very much for their animals welfare.
In the spring the mares are turned out to foal in large pastures as nature intended. They are then divided into different pastures determined by what stallion the farmer has selected for them. They run and breed naturally. After the foals are weaned in September, the mares go into the heated barns on the 'urine lines'. They each wear a UCD (urine collection device). Most mares get scheduled turnouts or are hand walked every day. They are able to lay down and rest. For the entire winter the mare receives water twice a day and some of the best feed available. These farmers realize that healthy happy animals are a necessity for a good business.
The large majority of the farms are located in Canada. Alberta and Manitoba are the major producers. There are also a few farms in North Dakota in the United States. This area of North America is vast in land but not too heavily populated. Therefore it is hard to find enough buyers for the large number of foals produced.
As long as there is a high demand for the drug Premarin, the farmers can't afford to produce less foals. There must be a certain number of pregnant mares online each year to produce what is needed. The mare needs to be pregnant to produce the hormone needed, therefore a foal is produced. Until the demand for Premarin lessens, there will be foals produced that need homes.
The National PMU Registry (NPMUR) will initially offer certificates of registration and maintain records on all horses registered. We hope to offer sponsorship of classes strictly for horses registered with the NPMUR at shows beginning in 2004. A program recognizing the achievements of our members will also be instituted in 2004.
It is also very important to the Registry that the horses that continue to be produced by the PMU Industry find homes. We will be using 10% of all registration fees to sponsor the rescue of foals by approved Equine Rescue Organizations. To be approved a rescue must be not for profit and involved in PMU rescue.
FACT: The only thing that determines how many foals are produced is the demand for the drug, Premarin. If the demand is high, then more urine is needed so more foals will be produced. Farmers do not make money selling foals at 'meat' price. If they are to make money selling foals, they must sell to the people who buy for breeding and showing. The foals sold to breeders and riders can bring up to $1500 while the average 'meat' price is $350.
MYTH: The largest majority of foals go to slaughter.
FACT: Anyone who attends the auctions can see who is buying foals. Many other foals are sold privately and at on farm production sales. The numbers that NAERIC gives out are accurate. But there is the 30 to 33% that do go to slaughter that need our help.
MYTH: The company that produces the Premarin is the only one regulating the farmers
FACT: Canada has one of the strictest animal welfare acts. With all the publicity on the PMU farms, they are watched even more closely than other types of agricultural activity. They are watched by the industry officials, government officials, as well as the SPCA.
MYTH: Most PMU mares are draft horses and the only market for their foals is meat.
FACT: Actually, most mares are Quarter Horse and Paint. And a large part of them are now quality registered horses. Farmers are upgrading their stock so the foals will have a good market. The grade foals are most often out of the top quality registered stallions. They make ideal companions and riding horses.
MYTH: Mares spend all their time tied in a small stall with no exercise.
FACT: Mares are only kept 'on-line' for about 5-6 months of the year. The rest of the time they are out on pasture. During their time 'on-line', they are let off line to be exercised or walked every day. Also most farms rotate their mares - one week on-line and one week off.
MYTH: Mares have no contact with other horses and are tied so they cannot move.
FACT: The mares are tied in stalls with the other mares on either side of them. They have companionship. While they are tied, they can move around as well as lie down and rest. The urine collecting device is attached with pulleys and lets the mares move around considerably.
MYTH: Mares are given very little water so the urine is very concentrated.
FACT: The mares are watered with a timed automatic watering system that lets them have water 5 times a day. They are not allowed water at all times to keep them from playing in it and making their stalls wet. The farmers not paid by the concentration of the urine.
MYTH: The mares are crippled and their hooves overgrown from standing for long periods of time. They do not have veterinary care.
FACT: The majority of PMU farmers have regular farrier and veterinary care. Careful records must be kept for the inspectors as to farrier and veterinary visits. These mares are the livlihood for these farmers. So, of course, they are going to keep them as healthy as possible. A horse that is crippled will not be able to produce for them.
MYTH: Mares are artificially bred during their foal heat.
FACT: Mares are let out in pasture with the stallion to foal and breed naturally.
MYTH: Foal mortality rate is extremely high. Mares are expected to foal out in the harsh Canadian winter.
FACT: Mares do foal in pasure. Most livestock in Canada does foal outside in the pastures. They are watched carefully and care given as necessary. If so many die at birth, why are there so many at the auctions in the fall??
You can see that common sense will tell you many of the answers here. PMU farmers are businessmen and, as good businessmen, they try to take good care of their product. There are 'bad apples' in every walk of life. And usually those 'bad apples' get most of the press. But these farmers work long hard hours like any other farmer. They are providing a necessary product and they care about their animals. The PMU farmers are trying all the time to improve thier industry. They want their foals to find good homes. They are willing to answer questions and have pride in their bloodlines. But they do not like being attacked unjustly any more than you or I would.