Rescued horses loving life on Oregon sanctuary

Duchess Sanctuary, operated by the Fund for Animals in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States, is a 1,120-acre facility south of Eugene, Ore., that was established in 2008 as an oasis for nearly 200 formerly abused, abandoned, neglected, and homeless horses.

Mares and their offspring rescued from the pregnant mare urine (PMU) industry make up the majority of the herd. Other residents include orphaned mustangs, as well as horses rescued from auctions and feedlots.

Many of the former PMU mares spent decades in stalls, impregnated and hooked up to machines to collect their urine. These mothers were allowed only the industry standard of three months with their foals before they were removed. Some foals were fated to join their mothers on the PMU lines; others were sent to slaughter.

Duchess Sanctuary is committed to providing the highest standards of equine care and basic loving kindness that these horses—and any future residents—deserve. For more information on Duchess Sanctuary, visit the Fund for Animals website.


Image credit: Kathy Milani/Fund for Animals