Has anybody been to Melton Mowbray horse sales recently?

cundlegreen

cundlegreen

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I've got two TB mares that I must sell due to family illness (husbands cancer and me needing a hysterectomy) I don't like selling at sales, but apparently they get people from all over.Before everybody jumps on me for selling at a sale, these mares will be put in with a decent reserve, and surely its better that they go and do something, as they are both young and have their life before them. I'm sick and tired of trying to find even loan homes for them, that don't work out, and with all the other things going on here, my options are limited. So please, just facts about the sales, and I'll make up my own mind about whether I send them or not.
 
I used to go to MM regularly, but haven't been yet this year. When I did go, there was often a lot of buyers, and not much sold for less than £500 (horses that is). Most went for between £700 - £1000 obviously depending on the seller, the turnout of the horse, whether it was ridden etc.

I sympathise with you - I was trying to loan out a broodmare and had no takers, I advertised her as 'free to good home' but specified I would vet homes, and still no takers. She has now gone to a friend on loan, but seriously, TBs are just not shifting at the moment, especially so close to Newmarket.

There are a lot of dealers at MM, and I hate to say it, but two TB mares would probably end up with them, and would probably go for around the £500 mark, obviously depending on breeding, (are they ridden?), education, turnout etc.
 
Agree with the above, it's not a bad sale as sales go but they will still have limited appeal. I have a group of people with tb contacts that would be willing to give it a go at rehoming yours if you wanted, pm me if you'd like a hand, at least until they have to go sales.
If the horses are being ridden about they maybe have a bit more chance of finding a decent home, or if they come with plenty of ridden history and evidence. Other than that the dealers will be the only ones interested. The horses there that go for nearer the 1k mark are schoolmaster types, or safe rides. I know how things can be when you have to rehome but can't find anyone, seems like you can't win either way. Chin up.
 
Duggan
With all our troubles, I just want them somewhere else until things get resolved.They are both back in work, but with all the hospital visits etc, I just don't have time to ride. I have other horses here which also need my time. I would have quite a high reserve, so that should put off the rougher dealers. Will PM you.
 
I can understand that, life is pants sometimes. Hopefully we can sort something out for you quickly.
 
I've not been for years, but I used to go there a lot with my parents. We bought a couple of lovely horses from there, back in the late 80s / early 90s, so those went to smashing homes (with me!), and we sold one that was too much horse for me at the time, to a showjumper.

That was years ago, so it's probably no help at all to you. sorry.
 
It's a fairly good sale, but you might not sell if you've a high reserve on them as prices are never great at Melton. I've known people that have got TOP quality ponies there for about £150. Agree re riding the mares around, arrive early, tack up, ride them around (watch out for traveller kids scooting up and down the road with cobs colts!) and wait next to the pens with them, (try and get pens next to each other) as people will bombard you with questions.
I wouldnt expect to get more than £500-£1k for each mare, dependant on breeding and age, possibly much less. Do a poster for each giving background info, (like an advert) and tape it to the railings on the pen, it always makes people look and 'personalises' the horse giving those genuine buyers a bit of confidence in what they're buying.
 
I went to Melton Mowbray on a day 'unwarranted horses' were for sale. I found it very sad, with small foals going for well under £100 and many other horses for 'meat money'. I wanted to bring several home with me but unfortunately husband was keeping a careful watch.
 
Charlie,
Thanks for the info, I usually do boards with pics on them, always gets people looking/talking. Its really a case of people who are prepared to buy.In this case, both mares are proven broodmares, having each produced First Premium BEF Futurity foals last year. I bought them specifically to breed to my stallion and get offspring on the ground.because of my situation, I've leased him out and won't be covering this year. Thats the only reason that they must go.
 
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