Due to increasing pressure of animal welfare regulation, and public outcry over the horrible fates often suffered by the foals, current PMU production has moved overseas. Because of the move overseas, PMU foals are no longer available in the US.

Recently Pfizer, the maker of Premarin, has moved its PMU operation to China and India where there is no humane oversight of their production. Away from American regulation, PMU foals are now sold for slaughter to become sushi.

By law, PMU foals have to remain with their biological mothers until they are 100 days old, effectively making them wean-lings when they are separated. Nurse mare foals can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few hours old when they are separated, and some are even induced.

NAERIC is a nonprofit association representing ranchers in Canada and the United States who are involved in the collection of pregnant mares' urine (PMU), a key source of hormones used in the production of estrogen replacement therapy.

PMU stands for “pregnant mare’s urine”. The urine of pregnant mares is used in the manufacturing of Premarin the female hormone replacement. This industry is located mostly in Canada, in the region of Manitoba, close to the Wyeth-Ayerst pharmaceutical company who manufactures Premarin.

Pregnant Mares’ Urine (PMU) Industry. PMU is used to produce estrogen and hormone-replacement drugs such as Premarin, Prempro/Premphase, and DUAVEE, a “Prempro Lite” which contains Premarin. PMU drugs are made by keeping mares constantly pregnant and collecting their estrogen-rich urine.

Mar 10, 2017 · With increasing demand for hormone replacement drugs made from pregnant mare's urine (PMU), there is growing concern over what will happen to the foals born in the process.

United Pegasus Foundation in southern California also rescues PMU foals. They have rescued 2980 foals and 2000 mares since 1996. These mares and foals have been rescued both directly from ranchers and from slaughter.

Apr 3, 2014 · Foals are weaned each fall, and sold privately or at sales. According to the North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC) Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Horses in PMU Operations, foals cannot be sold or leave the ranch until they are three months old, and no foals can be weaned before the first of ...

Feb 2, 2006 · A by-product of the industry was, of course, the resulting foals, known as PMU horses. Born in late spring, these foals remain with their dams until autumn, at which time they are weaned and most are sold.