PMU

PMU , a.k.a. pregnant mare's urine, is used in female hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Basically, a pregnant mare's urine contains estrogen, which is extracted in order to make medications for women suffering from menopause since estrogen is one of the hormones that drops in levels from menopause. Recent studies have linked the use of PMU drugs to health risks for women. However, this should not be an issue for women because there are other alternative drugs that can be used, which are either synthetically or organically created. Because of the use of this drug, horses are being slaughtered every year as well as inhumanely treated. It is an important issue because of the mistreatment horses are receiving and the health risks for women that take these drugs.

What is being done to pregnant mare's?

In order to obtain the estrogen from a pregnant mare's urine, the urine must be collected. For this to be achieved, a pregnant mare is tied up for about 6 months of the year (during the most intense estrogen levels of her pregnancy). During this time, she remains in a stall usually tied up, disabling her from exercise or a comfortable place to rest. Some farms use catheters to excrete the urine or some other urine collecting device. These can be unhealthy for the horses as infection and sores is likely. Many of the horses on these farms end up having respiratory infections because of the lack of exercise and living conditions. Once a mare has given birth, she will be impregnated once again and repeat this process until she can no longer. If she can no longer breed, she will most likely go to the slaughter house. What happens to all of their foals you might ask? Well, they too are almost always sold to slaughter houses for their meat or they may just endure the same fate their mothers have. Horses, unlike other "farm animals" require mental stimulation and enjoy "playing". Clearly being a PMU horse, does not offer this chance.

This is a photograph of pregnant mares in their small stalls tied into place.

What can be done to end their mistreatment and miserable lives?

Its simple. Stop using PMU drugs. There are many other drug treatment options. Now that other synthetic and organic drugs have been created there is no reason for this drug to be purchased, or for the horses to endure a life such as they are. By not purchasing these drugs, it will decrease the demand for them, and thus the supply. Some people argue that if these horses are stopped being used for PMU drugs, then they will simply be set to the slaughter house. However, more foals are being slaughtered now because of this torment. It would be better to just end it now and stop the torturous treatment the mares endure as well as stop foals from being born into it.

Why is this issue important?

This form of medical treatment is outdated and there are new medical treatments for women who need HRT. Also, recent studies have shown that using PMU drugs has been linked to increased risks of heart disease and breast cancer for women. Women need to be informed about the medical treatment they receive. This form of medication is not only cruel to horses, but it has health risks for women. Its important for women to protect themselves against these drugs and know all of the information about the drugs they are prescribed. If you are currently taking this type of medication, you should ask your doctor about health risks as well as alternative medications.

Hormone replacement therapy is important for many women suffering from menopause. There are many different medications that may be used for symptoms. However, PMU should be avoided. It causes cruelty to horses, as well as unneeded slaughters. Also, it has been linked to heart disease and breast cancer. With other alternatives available, it should be easy to end the use of PMU drugs and thus help horses live a better life, as well as give women a healthier one.

For more information on this topic link to the following:

http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/horse.html

http://www.premarin.org/

http://www.lef.org/protocols/female_reproductive/female_hormone_restoration_01.htm

http://www.equineadvocates.com/premarin.html