Feel free to cross post.
We had an interesting day on Saturday. Once again the kill buyers left with empty trailers (or near empty trailers, as will be explained below.) 101 horses ended up on the consignment list for the auction, less than "advertised," which was a relief. Most clearly were ranch horses, or at least former ranch horses, that conclusion being drawn from their body types, behavior and hooves. There is certainly a distinction between well worn mustang feet and the overgrown platters of the ranch horses that didn't get much attention. Plus there were quite a few geldings and as one advocate observed, "They don't do that on their own."
There were a few mustang looking types but they certainly weren't the majority of this sale.
Here are some interesting statistics that are based on comparing notes, the haul out records and the catalog.
101 horses were listed.
Lifesavers bought:
29 mares
10 youngsters (weanlings / yearlings)
15 studs
46 geldings
That came to 100 horses although the Lifesavers contingent only bid on and bought 96 horses. 30 of those are going to a new sanctuary group in northern California. A few paint horses had a lot of white coat and pink skin. They'll go up there where they can be turned out under the trees and stay out of the sun. (I apologize for not remembering the name of the new group.)
A local family bought two weanlings and a mare.
The mother of one of the sale yard staff bought a terribly skinny orphan foal.
Kill buyer Ole Olsen bought one horse. In fact it was a saddle horse that Ole brought to the auction, didn't think was bringing enough money, so he bought his own horse at the sale. Other than that he left with an empty trailer. I kind of hated to see any horse be stuck with Ole but the old buzzard does recognize that this horse is worth more under saddle than hanging from a meat hook.
Where the extra four horses came from are a puzzle, but this whole affair has been a puzzle.
There are several really nice big ranch horses that appear to be really well broke and not bothered by much. They might be fantastic for someone needing a good outdoor horse.
Harold Roy Miller took a few photos as we were lining up to load out. The first two are of a "conversation" that took place in one of the stallion pens when the sale yard crew inadvertently ran one of the mares into the stallion pen.
"Discussion"
"Reply"
One of the foals.
BTW, Mike Holmes raised a fuss about the mare in the stallion pen and the auction crew immediately straightened that one out. A short while later they found and removed a happy stud that should have been in the stallion pen but ended up in one of the mare pens. The mare in the stud pen came out a bit lame so she went to Shirley's for some focused care and a much overdue trim.
Thanks to the trailer volunteers (in order of "appearance" in the trailer train.).
Harold and Diana Miller
I pulled Trailer #2
Sharon Lamm and Betty Retzer
Sheila Schwadel
Gordon and Lavonne Hutting
Shirley Allen
Mark ??? (who Shirley knows and joined up at the last minute.)
This "rescue" was made doable through the cooperation and support of several allied horse groups.
All horses have been transported safely and photos of the horses that will be available for placement will be posted once the northern California group's horses have been sorted from the larger groups.
If anyone wants to find out more about any of these horses please contact Shirley Allen at shirley@whmentors.org, 775-246-7636, or Mike Holmes at 775-720-2412.
As a result of the two recent auctions Lifesavers is holding a huge number of horses so anyone who might like to take home a horse or could provide Foster care should contact Shirley or Mike.
Thanks!
":O) Willis
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