We Have A Baby! Meet Ty, Our PMU Foal
Sage, the PMU mare rescued by the Kaeli Kramer Foundation and Anne Marie Lucas, star of Animal Precinct, gave birth to a colt on July 16, 2010. Sage gave birth without any human witness in the early morning hours while everyone was asleep.
Sage is a paint mare from North Dakota who was used by the pharmaceutical industry to produce the drug Premarin (pregnant mares’ urine). Although only 12 years old, Sage has had at least seven or eight foals. Sage was bred every year so that while pregnant her urine could be used for the production of estrogen products for human use. During her pregnancy she was kept confined to a straight stall so her urine could be collected. Her feet show evidence of laminitis, a serious disease of the hoof caused by poor diet and poor care.
Mountain Thyme or Ty for short is Sage’s final foal. In Medieval times, knights wore sprigs of thyme on their armor as a sign of courage. The scent of thyme was thought to give them strength in battle and relief from pain. Most PMU foals are sold at auction and many wind up slaughtered; a lucky few, like Ty, are obtained by rescue groups.
Although Ty is strong and feisty, Dr. Pam Corey quickly noticed that our little colt has an asymmetrical neck which may be a congenital malformation. If Ty had been born to his dam at the Premarin farm, it is likely he would have been immediately destroyed as a defective byproduct of the industry. Since the collection of urine is the primary focus, the nutrition of the mares while pregnant and the breeding (genetics) of the foals are secondary issues at best.
Through Dr. Pam Corey, Ty has wonderful connections to the veterinary community, to an equine chiropractor and acupuncturist. Countless friends of Kaeli’s foundation are excited to cheer him on and give him the best chances for a happy life with his mom and all the other rescue horses we care for and love.
To learn more about Premarin Click Here
