I decided that it was time to raise and train my own horses as I was fed up with buying horses that had accumulated a lot of baggage. Horses are not born with bad manners but learn them through poor training and handling. I wanted a fresh start! First, I spread the word locally that I was in search of a young foal that I could raise and train into saddle. It was my dream to go to the highest level in dressage and show jumping. I wanted a horse that was a great family horse but also competitive in the show ring, a horse with good mind and character. Everything about my decision sounded great except that I had never raised or trained a young horse before. I decided not to let this deter me.   

Soon the word was out that I was looking for a young prospect that I could raise, train, and later show in the show ring. Many of the local horse people tried to discourage me, pointing out the risks and difficulties of raising foals and reminding me that I had no experience raising or training young horses. I had heard plenty of that kind of talk before which did not reckon on my determination. People who wanted to tell me how hard it would be were well-meaning, and I took their advice in good spirit while not being overcome by it.    

One day I overheard a conversation in the local feed store about one of the neighbors trying to train a Premarin foal, saying that the experience didn’t go well. At the time I’d never heard the term Premarin, and the conversation captured my full attention. The people were saying that Premarin foals are wild horses that have never been handled by trainers and therefore are considered dangerous. A Premarin horse is kept pregnant in standing stalls, and their urine used to make a hormonal treatment for women with menopausal symptoms. The newborn foals are often auctioned off and sold to the slaughterhouses because there are too many Premarin foals and people are afraid of them since they are considered wild.   

I searched the Internet and read many articles about Premarin horses and their offspring. The more I thought about it, the more upset I became. A deep sadness came over me thinking about the horses standing in small stalls and their baby foals being born into an environment with no future. My heart and soul cried for these animals. I was determined to make a difference in these horses’ lives and do whatever I could to have their voices heard, no matter how small a difference I could make as one person. I continued to browse through horse websites and came across a little Arabian Premarin foal. He was only five months old when put up on the website for adoption. I was told that if he was not able to find a home or a person to adopt him he would risk the slaughterhouse. His name was Prince. I decided to adopt Prince and bring him home, and raise and train him myself. When I looked at this little foal’s picture, I did not see a wild unruly horse but instead I saw a beautiful young foal in need of love and a family that would care for him and give him a home forever. He would be given a chance to live a life filled with love and happiness.   

Soon after making the decision, I contacted the person in charge of the adoption process. I was told the foal lived on a ranch in Minnesota and that the ranch had fallen on hard times and all horses on the ranch had to find homes fast. There was not much time before all horses would be auctioned off to slaughter and I should not wait to start the adoption process. My heart froze, as I knew time was of the essence. I told the woman on the phone to start the paperwork at once and send it right away for me to sign. By the time the adoption process was done, I had decided to name the foal Keanu. His name had been Prince and in my heart I will always think of Keanu as my little Prince.  

Keanu and I learned together, and overcame many training challenges. Over the years, Keanu has grown into a beautiful and handsome Arabian gelding. He is now 15 hands tall. When Keanu was only one year old I entered him into his first halter show. I counted 25 other horses in the English halter class, yet the judges called Keanu to receive first place. He did a great job!  

I felt a lot of understandable pride that day and I was so happy to prove everyone wrong about Premarin horses, as they do make great show horses and family members. In fact, a Premarin horse can take first place with a blue ribbon. It doesn’t matter where a horse comes from; it is the environment and nurture you provide to a horse that makes all the difference. I was so proud of my little boy that day, and told him how special he really was and how much I loved him.  

Karin Matey is the author of My American Horse Family; Horse Dreams; and Sebastian’s Adventures: Diary of a Champion.  For more information, please visit her author website at www.karinmatey.com.