By Jaime Richardson, Green Valley News
Published: Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Equine Voices to celebrate birth of foals on Mother’s Day

Equine Voices is hosting an open house event Sunday, and with four newborn foals frolicking around the Amado rescue sanctuary, it’s only fitting that the celebration be held on Mother’s Day.

“We’re holding an open house to celebrate the birth of these babies and to get the community involved,” said Karen Pomroy, who founded the non-profit organization in 2004.

Equine Voices is dedicated to saving horses from Canadian Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU) farms, where the urine of pregnant mares is collected for use in the hormone-replacement drug, Premarin. Once a PMU mare gives birth, her foal is sent to auction, where it will most likely be sold to a slaughter house, Pomroy said.

The mares, who spend much of their adult lives perpetually pregnant and kept in inhumane conditions, are slaughtered when they are too old to bear more foals.

“These mothers have never been able to keep their babies,” Pomroy said. “It’s touching to see the mares interacting with their babies, finally being able to take care of them.”

The mothers of the new arrivals were rescued from a Premarin farm in Manitoba and arrived at Equine Voices in October. The oldest of the four foals (two males and two females) was born three weeks ago, and the youngest is less than one week old. Eventually, the foals and their mothers will be put up for adoption. “We’d like to keep them together as long as we can, and if possible, adopt them out together,” she said.

The open house runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A drawing will be held to choose names for the foals, and prizes from the Equine Voices gift shop will be given away.

Tours of the ranch, home to more than 20 rescued horses, will be given throughout the day, and snacks and soda are provided, said Pomroy.

“This is a great opportunity to get together with your family to celebrate mothers,” said Pomroy, “human and animal.”

Call Equine Voices at 520-398-2814 or e-mail karen@equinevoices.org for directions and to RSVP.