Most everyone associates the huge, heavy draft horse with those massive Budweiser Clydesdales that pull the beer wagons at parades. They are indeed a version of the draft horse, which also include Shires, Percherons and Belgians, to name a few. There are a great many drafts that need new adoptive homes because of the downturn of the PMU industry. PMU stands for Pregnant Mare Urine, and is one of the ingredients used to make hormone replacement drugs like Premarin for older women. PMU farms would breed mares just to keep them pregnant and collect the urine to sell for the medication. Unfortunately, this made many draft foals with no place to go except the auction block or slaughtering house. It's easy (and wonderful) to adopt a draft rescued from a PMU farm. There are drafts of all ages, and some have been trained. Here are some tips for making room for and adopting your huge new friend.
Instructions
Adopt a Draft Horse
1. Make sure you are ready to take on this huge a horse. If you look at photos of drafts online, they don't look nearly as big as they actually are in person. It's a good idea to find a farm or neighbor nearby who has a draft, and check out the vastness of this animal. A draft eats more hay and requires more room than a regular horse, and all their equipment is bigger and heavier. On the plus side, a draft is known for being slower, easier-going and gentle. A draft horse is sometimes only halter broken, and may require further professional training.
2. Check out UPF (see Resources), which has locations in California and connections to other PMU rescues across the country. You can get horses already shipped down to the states, or you can choose from some still on the ranches in Canada. Adoption fees are reasonable, and the people are very friendly and helpful. You can check out the pictures online, or go to the farms to take a look at the horses available. If you decide on a horse, they will have you fill out an adoption application and provide shipping to your home or barn if you need it for an additional fee. You can also bring your own horse trailer, as long as it's big enough to fit a draft inside.
3. Try PMU Rescue, a great site that allows you to find horses closest to your location as well as listing horses from all over the country. Descriptions of each horse are included with pictures. You can fill out an adoption application online, which usually includes a clause specifying that you return the horse to the rescue if you can no longer keep it. You can pay and have the horse shipped to you without seeing it in person, although it's best to see the horse first if possible.
4. Look up Gentle Giants Rescue in Maryland if you're on the East Coast. They know their horses well, and you'll have a great feel for the horse's trustworthiness and personality, as well as health issues.
5. Try Draft Horse Rescue. The same type of site, offers drafts of all ages and kinds, with varying degrees of training (from none to saddle broken). If in California, also try Animali Farms. Their adoption prices can run a little higher, but you'll know the horse you're getting, since the women running the organization know their horses well.
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