Young exuberance greeted elderly wisdom in October at Ryerrs Farm for Aged Equines. Thirty-five foals were brought from pregnant mare urine (PMU) ranches to the farm in Pottstown, Penn., for a brief respite before their adoptive owners took them home.

This was the second time Ryerss hosted a PMU foal adoption in cooperation with the North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC). The urine from pregnant mares is used to produce hormone replacement therapy medication for women to alleviate menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis and other life-threatening diseases. There are approximately 35,000 broodmares currently involved in PMU ranching, and each year in September the ranchers sell weaned foals privately or through auctions. The horses range from draft crosses to Quarter Horses and Paints.

For more information about NAERIC visit www.naeric.org. Visit www.ryerss.com to get a glimpse of the retirement facility and its residents