We just returned from a successful, but very difficult
trip to Manitoba, Canada where we rescued 12 slaughter-bound horses,
most of whom were PMU mares and foals. We received a tip that a
specially organized sale, where many PMU mares would be sold and sent to
slaughter, was taking place last month. Usually, PMU mares don't go to
auction in large numbers until the spring. However, our sources informed
us that due to a decrease in the number of PMU farms in Manitoba, there
was going to be a "bloodbath" of PMU mares going to slaughter. (NOTE:
The decrease in Canadian PMU farms is a result of a dramatic escalation
of PMU production and PMU farms in the U.S. More will reported on this
very disturbing trend in the near future.)
We immediately started to raise money for this emergency
rescue. There wasn't much time and we had to be very careful and
discreet so as not to tip off the PMU industry that a rescue operation
was being planned. Luckily, we were able to raise some money and at the
same time, arrange for permanent and temporary homes for the horses. In
addition to pregnant PMU mares, we also rescued three foals, and an aged
gelding that was also being sold that day and who was being bid on by
several of the "killer buyers" present. He was such a sweet old guy that
we just had to come to his rescue as well. We didn't want to see him go
to slaughter.
Of course, there were many horses sold that day that we
couldn't save. Two pregnant PMU mares ended up in a kill pen and when we
approached the "killer buyer" and offered to pay him twice the price he
paid for them, he flatly refused, happy to ship them rather than sell
them to us. This was quite a shock as we were being more than fair and
would have paid even more money just to save these mares...but this
particular killer buyer (who incidentally is said to possess over 2000
PMU foals in his stockyard), chose to ship them instead. This was
devastating for us; we tried everything to try to save these two mares.
I have never seen any "killer buyer" turn down that kind of a profit. My
own opinion is that he was angry that rescuers did show up at this sale
and that we were bidding against him and other "killer buyers" for the
same horses. Even though there seemed to be well over a hundred people
present, we were the only ones other than the "killer buyers" who were
bidding on PMU mares and foals, and other horses that were aged, unsound
or unable to be ridden. He just didn't want us to have those mares. We
were crushed.
Sadly, there was still more tragedy to come. One of the
PMU mares was not only pregnant, but she was well over 25 years of age,
emaciated and had open wounds all over her body. She was treated by a
veterinarian as soon as we got her away from the auction house. We named
her "Carla". After a brief lay-over in Manitoba, we shipped her and our
other 11 rescued horses to a safe haven in another province where they
would remain before being sent to the U.S. They had to be examined by a
veterinarian and receive the necessary health papers in order to ship
them over the border into this country. "Carla" made it to the safe
haven. She seemed to love being groomed and fed apples. She loved the
attention she was getting and I looked forward to receiving daily
reports about how she and the others were doing and how well they were
responding to good nutrition and lots of TLC.
Everything was set to send her to a loving home where
she could recuperate and regain her strength. Tragically, she went down.
Her body seemed to be shutting down. The vet came and said she might
make it, but when she went down for a second time, we knew that she
could not. "Carla" was humanely euthanized on a tranquil Canadian farm
where she received a peaceful and dignified death. Had we not outbid the
"killer buyers" for her, she would have probably gone down in the
trailer and either been trampled to death, or if she was still
breathing, dragged out in chains into the slaughterhouse. She was old,
used up and being cruelly discarded after being used and abused for so
many years. I knew that she was old, but even the vet thought that she
might make it. All we wanted was for her to have the last couple of
years or precious months of her tragic life filled with lots of love and
quality care. Sadly, she only lasted 11 days after we rescued her, but
again, I'm glad that we were able to provide her with a peaceful and
dignified end, one which well over a million horses used and exploited
by the PMU industry never received...And the mass slaughter of PMU
mares, foals and stallions cruelly continues every year.
(NOTE: "Carla" was quite old for a PMU mare and probably
was referred to as, "a good producer", in the industry. Consequently,
she must have made a substantial amount of money for her exploiters over
the years. According to sources, life on the PMU farms is so hard, that
an estimated ONE QUARTER of the mares standing on PMU lines have to be
replaced ever year.)
(ANOTHER NOTE: Doctors no longer have to give women
Premarin and other products produced from pregnant mares' urine (PMU) in
order to prescribe conjugated estrogens to treat the symptoms of
menopause. Since 1999, there is now a SYNTHETIC FORM of conjugated
estrogens on the market called "CENESTIN", which has been dubbed,
"Synthetic Premarin." Encourage women to ask their doctors about this
synthetic drug that is the most chemically similar to Premarin, but not
made from horse urine. This is a new weapon in our arsenal in the fight
against the use of horses to produce PMU products. Let's spread the
word!)
ON A MUCH HAPPIER NOTE, the remaining 11 horses that we
rescued in Canada are all doing well. One of the foals, "Little Lucy" is
deformed and a vet is determining whether or not surgery can help her.
As I mentioned before, all are either in permanent or foster homes. If
anyone is interested in adopting any of the ones who have not yet been
permanently placed, please write to us or e-mail us at: <mailto:info@equineadvocates.com>
Go on to Job
Opportunity
Return to 13 December 2000
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