WINNIPEG – Equine ranchers are hoping a new herd health review system will further quell public concern about the collection of pregnant mares’ urine.
Starting this year, each PMU operation will be visited at the start, middle and end of the collection season by an independent veterinarian.
The vet will complete a three-page form about:
- The medical condition and history of the horses.
- The state of the barns.
- Feeding and watering practises.
The vet will send a copy of the form to a veterinarian at Wyeth-Ayerst, the company that buys the urine.
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The executive director of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council said the reviews are another way to show equine ranchers are not abusing their horses. Norm Luba said the reviews build on a code of practice ranchers have followed since 1990 and upon surprise inspections from Wyeth-Ayerst.
Independent opinion
“This is not the ranchers saying they’re looking after their horses, this is not the company saying they’re looking after their horses, now we’ve got independent veterinarians saying the horses are well looked after.”
Luba said no other segment of the horse breeding industry has as many checks and balances as PMU operations.
The reviews are part of the ranchers’ contracts, and they also pay for them. Luba said costs depend on the vet, the distance he or she travels and the number of horses in the operation.
Luba said while ranchers keep a close eye on their costs, they appreciate the value of the independent opinion the vet reviews will provide.
