By Robin Shepherd

Every year, hundreds of new foals find homes through an organization known as FoalQuest.

The year-round efforts of FoalQuest volunteers ensure that healthy young horses of various equine breeds are adopted out to horse enthusiasts in the Bay Area and across the United States who want to raise horses for riding, or just for companionship. Without the ongoing efforts of FoalQuest, these foals would end up in feedlots.

“I cried for two weeks when I found out about these orphaned horses,” said Aleta Niggeler, a Los Altos Hills resident who with husband Chris adopted three FoalQuest foals last year. Pocahontas, Bijou and Reyha, all quarter horse fillies, were delivered to the Niggelers when they were 6 months old.

“FoalQuest enabled us to adopt foals just after they were weaned from their mothers,” Niggeler said. “This is actually the best time to start working with a horse. When our foals arrived they were wild and innocent, having almost no prior experience with humans. They were quick to trust and accept us. Now they will be part of our family for life.”

FoalQuest works side by side with seven Equine Ranches in Alberta, Canada, known as PMU Ranches.

PMU, or pregnant mare’s urine, provides a natural source of estrogen used for hormone therapy in women. These ranches are large rural pasture properties, typically family-owned and operated by experienced horse breeders, who maintain from 80 to 100 mares and a small number of stallions. Through natural breeding, the ranches produce more than 30,000 foals annually. Seventy percent of these foals find homes, but FoalQuest works to adopt out as many of the remaining 30 percent as possible.

“Four years ago I was searching the Internet for PMU sales and realized many people wanted to help PMU foals but couldn’t visit Canada to get them and bring them home, thus FoalQuest was born,” said founder Jan Turnbull. “Our organization is unique because we personally visit various ranches every year to view the foals, mares and stallions, and take photos. Our volunteers are also involved in preparing the foals for their new homes, so we know what we are sending to our adopters.”

PMU ranchers are under contract with Ayerst Organics of Manitoba, which takes pregnant mare’s urine through over 100 steps, 35 tests and 300 quality control checks to extract estrogen and produce Premarin, the medical industry’s best-known hormone replacement therapy drug.

Ayerst partnered with veterinarians and equine experts to establish regulations which, together with state and provincial laws, govern PMU Ranch Operations. Their Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Horses in PMU Operations regulates horse housing, health care, nutrition, transportation, foaling, breeding and weaning practices, and regular inspections.

Adopters can choose a specific foal or foals from color photographs posted on the FoalQuest Web site.

For practical purposes, PMU ranches focus on breeds known for good health and gentleness of disposition, such as quarter horses, Paints, Appaloosas, Canadiens, standardbreds, Fjords, Percherons and Shires. FoalQuest is busiest in September, when applications have been reviewed, foals have been weaned and preparations to deliver the foals begin.

“Many of these foals are registered, championship-quality horses that go on to win ribbons in equestrian competitions,” said Karen Barrett, Northern California representative for FoalQuest. Barrett’s adopted foal is the grandson of the thoroughbred racing champion Alydar.

According to Barrett, some equestrian organizations are showing their support for foal adoption by matching the winnings when FoalQuest horses place in competitive events.

Anyone with adequate horse experience, equestrian industry and veterinarian references, and access to appropriate horse stabling facilities can adopt a foal through FoalQuest.

Once FoalQuest has reviewed and approved an applicant and received a signed contract and payment, the adopter can select a foal or foals from the directory. Fees are from $550 to $750 and include deworming, a required blood test, feed and care while the foals are being prepared for transport and border processing. Professional equine transport is $425 to any destination in the continental United States.

For more information, call Karen Barrett at (530) 587-9037

or logon to www.pmufoalquest.com.