Where Most of the Horses Come From

In the next county over, there's a business which holds livestock auctions.  If it's an animal raised on a farm, chances are good you can find one at auction.   At the horse auction, opening bids start as low as $5 and the highest I know of is a couple hundred dollars.  You're more likely to pay at the low end as opposed to a hundred or so, at least that's been my experience.  

Horse auctions are every 2 to 3 months. Photograhing is against the rules and enforcement is assertive. The horses are dropped off the night before.  No feed or water offered, jammed into holding pens and tied up with string to the stall boards.  Many are suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, are ill,  and hoofs overgrown with rot.  Manes & tails are not combed out nor coats brushed. 

 Many horses have been identified as being from Amish farms in the Finger Lakes Region.  Amish don't have a good reputation among those who work in veterinary clinics or rescue programs for livestock and dogs.  The most common comment: Amish seem to perceive an animal's worth based on high productivity at the lowest possible cost.  Many of their horses arrive at auction damaged beyond rescue.  Another is the Amish don't seem to have much patience when it comes to training.   If the horse doesn't take to what they're intended for, get rid of it and find another one.   I'm going to have to address this issue and answer for myself.  

Once horses are entered into the ring for auction, whips are used to get them stepping.  The auctioneer makes comments like, "good filly for your woman at home" or  "a man's horse, if you know what I mean."  There's a man who bids,  and the best word I can use to describe him is grey.  He just looks grey.  He bids a lot and stays at the low end.  No horse goes for free, all result in income for the seller and auctioneer.  

There are two stickers.  A green, & a white.  If the horse receives a green sticker, it's placed between the eyes.  If the horse receives a white sticker, it goes on their right rump.  Those with a green sticker  are loaded quickly by the grey man.  Stallions, mares, brood mares, pregnant, mares, geldings, foals, yearlings go into one semi-truck. The truck is fully enclosed and not ventilated.  If a horse is injured or dies enroute to the kill pen, so be it.