Now that the media has increased awareness of the horse slaughter problem in the United States, many horse owners - and prospective horse owners - are considering rescuing a horse directly from one of the auctions that the “meat buyers” frequent.Everybody loves the feel-good idea of rescuing a horse from a future as a Parisian steak, but unless you put some thought into your choice, your dream horse may turn out to be - pardon the pun - a nightmare.
Horses who are sold at low-end auctions run the gamut. There are old roping horses and cow horses who are well broke but have developed some physical issues that impair their performance. These are excellent choices for someone wanting a quiet horse who is willing to pay for some vet care and joint supplements.
Next, especially at the end of the racing season, you'll see off the track Thoroughbreds (OTTB's) who can easily be identified by the tattooed numbers on the inside of their upper lip. Some of these horses are diamonds in the rough, but they do require experienced riders and they may have injuries from racing.
Another group you'll see are camp and riding lesson horses who are sold off at the end of the camp season in the fall or who may have developed physical issues. These horses are very novice-friendly but, again, prepare for some vet bills and possibly some heartbreak if the horse's problems are too severe to allow even light use in the future.
Fall and winter sales also bring forth hundreds of older broodmares who are no longer able to get pregnant. Some of these mares have not been ridden since their racing days 15 years ago, and as a result, they may have very clean legs - good retraining projects if you aren't quite up to a 4 year old OTTB but think a 20 year old one is more your speed.
Divorces and financial problems result in many garden-variety trail horses being taken to auction. These horses are usually accompanied by eager owners willing to tell you all about the horse and his history, as well as provide you with their contact information. As with a used car salesman, take what they have to say with a grain of salt - but it may be less risky for you than purchasing a horse who has been dropped off at the sale with no information whatsoever.
Now we have the group that everybody fears acquiring when buying at a sale - the rebels. Horses who buck, rear, bolt, and generally exhibit behaviors that have resulted in their owner's inability to sell them through normal means. If you see a horse who is cared for and clipped up, yet no one is willing to ride him through the ring, this may be the reason. If you are an experienced rider, you may be willing to take a chance on a horse like this. As we all know, many horse problems are really rider problems. Some sellers will be honest with you about what the horse does - others will lie and develop a “back problem” or other excuse why they can't get on the horse and show him to you. Be aware of the risks before you bid.
Finally, probably the cheapest horses to buy - and least risky if you're trying to avoid vet bills - are young, untrained stock. Auctions are full of horses 3 years of age and under who have not been broken to ride. They may be halter broke or have some ground work completed, or they may not have been handled at all. I've seen rather nice 2 year olds go for $150 at local sales. Particularly if these horses have registration papers, they can be good resale prospects if you have the knowledge to train them. Just be aware that you may have quite a job on your hands. A two year old who has barely been halter broken isn't going to be fun to get into your horse trailer at the end of the evening, and don't be surprised if he can and will jump out of your stall at home.
Now that you know the kinds of horses you are likely to meet at your local auction, it's time to consider who you are buying the horse for. If you're an experienced adult rider who has dealt with problem horses before, you're the ideal person to bring home an auction rescue. But if that isn't the case, it doesn't mean you can't go this route. If you're more of a novice rider, or if you are looking for a horse for a child, direct your attention to the older horses at the sale. Horses who are 15 years and older are more likely to have been “dumped” due to their age or some lameness issues. A lameness issue like arthritis or navicular disease is going to be easier for a family with children to deal with than a behavioral issue like rearing or bucking. If every horse you've ever owned has been well trained and quiet, resist the urge to bring home that beautiful but spirited one who is turned loose to run around the pen at the sale. Unless you have the resources to put that horse in professional training, this is an accident waiting to happen.
