Premarin-Alert to horse lovers (long, but please read)

[avpinc@bellsouth.net]

Hello, all.
     This message is for all of use who have reached that stage of  life

where women are dealing with the necessity of hormone therapy.
Many of us have had the product Premarin prescribed by our
doctors, as it is an effective treatment for pre-post, and presently
menopausal women.  This product is made from pregnant mare's
urine.  What many of us may not know are the true conditions of
these PMU (pregnant mare urine) farms.  According to my most
recent issue of  the Hooved Animal Humane Society's "Hoofprints"
news publication (Fall-Winter-'98):

     "  As a result  of the successful marketing of this drug by Wyeth
Ayerst,
more than 70,000 pregnant mares spend six months of every pregnancy on
PMU (pregnant mare urine) farms where they stand day after day and week
after week tied in cramped standing stalls wearing urine-collecting
equipment.
If this were not injustice enough, the foals that are the by-product of
this
industry are routinely sold at auction to "killer buyers" for meat as
soon as
they can be weaned from their mothers.  The mothers are re-impregnated
after a relatively brief nursing period and face another six months "on
the line"."

     The article goes on to discuss efforts to save and adopt these
foals and
the frustration of trying to buy them as they are presented in large
lots at
auction.  It also discusses the need for foster care and housing for
those
foals who are saved and purchased.  Please check the article and contact

the HAHS for more information, and if you don't subscribe, please do.
Their ph.# is 815-337-5563.

     I know this is a distressing post, and I apologize for offending or

upsetting anyone.  I just know I will refuse the use of  Premarin in the

future, and will be sure to educate my Doctor about the injustice of
using this product when there are so many others, equally effective,
on the market.  Maybe if those of us who care try to make our concerns
known, and if the manufacturerer feels the pinch, we can change things,
and help some of these animals we love so much.  Thank you.
                                                               Linda
Flynn, O.B., FL
P.S.  Please pass this info. on or forward it to those who may not
subscribe
to Ridecamp.