What's Happening?

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PMU Mare Project

	Meet Hope, Faith and Serenity ­ three pregnant mares whose lives took an unexpected turn last fall. These horses were among tens of thousands of pregnant mares living on PMU (Pregnant Mare Urine) ranches in Canada, where their urine was collected for its estrogen to make the hormone replacement therapy drugs Premarin and Prempro. Demand for the drugs has decreased dramatically and 70% of the PMU ranches are being closed, leaving over 20,000 pregnant mares to find new homes or face an uncertain fate at auction. Walkin N Circles volunteers learned the plight of the mares in November and set out to collect enough money amongst themselves to try to save at least one. The volunteers and some of their friends ended up with enough funds to save three. The mares arrived at Walkin N Circles from Canada on January 25, 2004, to the smiles and applause of a crowd of volunteers waiting to greet them. They were in remarkably good shape considering the length of their journey. Hope was accustomed to a human¹s touch, but Faith and Serenity had their doubts about people initially. All were very calm and quiet and adjusted quickly to their new environment. Within just a few weeks, "the girls" had settled in well enough to have their hooves trimmed and receive their vaccinations. Volunteers began doing groundwork exercises with them, teaching them to lead and to back up and move away from pressure. Probably none of these mares has ever worn a saddle or been ridden - that training will wait until after their babies are born. In the meantime, WNCR volunteers continue to handle them, groom them, and build a foundation of respect and trust. Hope's, Faith's and Serenity's foals are due any time after May 1, 2004. A barn with safe, comfortable foaling stalls is being built in preparation. The girls keep getting wider and wider, and "foal watch" has begun, with volunteers checking the mares for signs of impending labor many times a day. Once the foals are weaned, which will likely be in early fall, Hope, Faith, Serenity and the babies will all become available for adoption.
Faith Faith is an 8 to 10 year old, 15 hand Fjord cross. She excelled in her groundwork exercises from day 1 and is a fast, willing learner. With the characteristic gentle disposition and strong body structure of a Fjord, she could be trained for riding or driving. She is bred to a 15 hand white/bay Paint.
Hope Hope is a 15.1 hand, 8 to 10 year old, red dun Quarter Horse cross. Very friendly and quiet, she loves attention and affection. She has been nicknamed "Miss Clairol" for the striking highlights in her mane. She is bred to a 16 hand black and white Percheron/Paint cross.
Serenity Serenity is an 8 to 10 year old, 15 hand, red dun Quarter Horse cross. We suspect she has some Arabian ancestors, given her athleticism and carriage. Very sweet and gentle, she loves being groomed, and if you scratch her neck, she will follow you anywhere. She is bred to a 15 hand white/bay Paint.