The PMU industry (PMU stands for pregnant mares' urine) provides the estrogen-rich raw material for the production of the widely used women's hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) drugs Premarin®, PremPro®, and related products. Premarin has been marketed since 1942.

Growing concern about poor conditions on PMU ranches in the mid-1990's led to the adoption of an industry-enforced Code of Practice for the care of the horses, and better breeding programs. Still, many foals born to production mares end up at slaughterhouses. A better understanding of the risks of long term HRT led to drastic cuts in production by the manufacturer, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, starting in the fall of 2003. More than 20,000 horses, most of them pregnant, were potentially affected by the initial cuts. While we're encouraged by the cuts, the "unemployed" horses will be needing good homes.

If you would like us to help PMU mares and foals, support the ASPCA Equine Fund. If you can provide a good home for one or more of them, please consider adopting:

PMUrescue.org is an online bulletin board where any ranch or organization can post available horses. Potential adopters can then view photos and profiles and start the application process. You can also find other horse rescue organizations listed to the right.

Courtesy ASPCA