horse auction experiences

I have bought many a foal from auction usually brightwells Welsh Cob sales as a better end market my experience is this
You dont by a weaned foal from auction until you have raised at least one successfully from a reputable breeder
The foals are many and the choice is huge but they are there because they have been bred for that market so some will go for meat others will go to private homes
Foals at auction generally are wild as coots and you need very specialist knowledge to turn them round
Low end market foals are generally speaking just that low end with permanent damage from worms and ragwort before you start and in some cases their life expectancy is about 3 years so never live long enough to be ridden
Low end markets are dire places and you will want to take them all home and can be tempted to bite off more than you can chew
Low end markets should really be sited next to a suitable abattoir but rarely are
Low end markets are a hive of illness and disease and most people are reluctant to let them mix without extensive quarantine so if you have your own land and the companion your foal will have is not worried about the risks them it may be possible
Low end markets make foals as cheap as a bar of chocolate but that doesnt mean they are value for money you could and probably will buy a heap of trouble

Considering all the things I have experienced in buying foals I would as far as possibles try to buy a foal from the breeder before it went to an auction as at least then its level of exposure is reduced
Low end market foals are bullied into lorries and trailers and dragged from market to market until they are sold or the meat wagon comes so are very exposed

At the better end of the markets the foals may well probably be wormed vaccinated and well fed they are usually properly papered and microchipped feet trimmed and well cared for and therefore dont need rescuing
It is far from alright to take on a foal regardless of how well intentioned until you have experience with a stud or an experienced person dealing with youngsters
Foals and fools go together is a very well known saying they get into mischief spend their first few years trying to injure themselves and then if you dont get it right their next few years trying to injure you
 
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My Neddy was bought from an auction for £600 (not by me, I don't think I'd dare!) he would have gone for meat otherwise. My normally VERY strict and wise YO had a lapse in her 'hard' persona and let her heart rule her head. Goodness knows what she was thinking. She ran a riding school and was looking for a new addition, not a scruffy, stick thin, miserable looking horse.
He came with a saddle and we thought he was at least backed - last year I found out he had never even been sat on!! Had she not decided to start him from scratch, it could have ended VERY badly.

Now I have him, I absolutely love him more than words can express, but he's a VERY difficult horse sometimes. He might not look it, but I have to make sure everything is "just so" or I'd be looking for trouble.
He can NOT be stabled, he has to stay in a field with high hedges and gate (I've adapted it so it's 7ft!) or he'll jump out and go missing...again! He can't be left alone, he doesn't travel, he can't deal with rope on the ground...I could go on.

Having recently found out his back story...it's horribly depressing, so I won't go into it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is - I think it's hard. You may find your best friend, as I did...or you may find something you just can not work with and have to sell, as YO did. She's much more experienced than me and has been breaking/training horses longer than I've been alive, but there was just something about Ned. We clicked - YO just couldn't.

Good luck in what ever you decide :)
 
I've bought several foals & yearlings from the New Forest sales over the years. They might be cheap to buy but keeping them for 3 to 4 years till they can be broken, schooled & sold takes a huge amount of money & time to do it properly.

My advice is not to do it. Think about what you'd like to do with a horse/pony over the next 6-12 months & go for something that is ready to do that. Good luck.
 
Thanks all, very helpful replies! The reason I was wanting a foal was because I thought it would be unspoilt and I could teach it the way I wanted it to be. Ive had experience with a foal before, a pony that I tamed as foal, he gained my trust, and I ''broke in'' (he basically broke himself in, he's so good!) so I was wanting something similar but I know all horses are different! He was always pretty quiet. But I think after what everyone has said it would be best if I bought something private that I can ride now and save a foal for the future. Auction sounds very hit or miss, and it would be horrible having to see any that I want to ''rescue'' but can't or buying the wrong one. Just thought I may be able to help a horse. And I never thought of the point that buying horses in that situation actually supports the breeding of them for meat, very sad. Maybe in the future though. Can I just say on a last note, I came on this forum to ask for genuine advice on this matter, not to be a troll. It's very frustrating when people have a go at you because they think your taking the mick. I wasn't and I thought this sounded like a fair question. Please, be fair, and give your advice kindly and it will be listened to. I've been on forums like that before and it really puts you off posting questions. Sorry if it sounded stupid to you. I didn't expect some of the replies I got and Im sorry if I was rude. Thankyou for being helpful human beings! lol :)
 
I used to go to low end auctions and if you are after a pony and don't mind doing some work and taking a risk - and you have a heart of stone you'll be fine. I always came away in tears that I couldn't save them all.

High end auctions however are great fun! I've been to bright wells and Verden both amazing experiences but just proved what I already know - I have expensive taste!
 
blitznbobs said:
I used to go to low end auctions and if you are after a pony and don't mind doing some work and taking a risk - and you have a heart of stone you'll be fine. I always came away in tears that I couldn't save them all.



High end auctions however are great fun! I've been to bright wells and Verden both amazing experiences but just proved what I already know - I have expensive taste!
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I know, thats the sad thing, don't think I can do it. Would, but it would feel awful. And may buy the wrong one... Haha, bet you were tempted to buy them all as well but for different reasons! Hm, what sort of prices did they sell for? Though may be different now if you havn't been in a while. Maybe I should go to one just for the experience.
 
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I would question going to an auction to 'rescue' a horse. I have led up horses at auction for over £1Mill, they did not need rescuing! However at the other end, buying 'bin ends' is only supporting the back yard breeders market and I would seriously question the morality on it all. I have bought at low end markets, mainly ex racers and had some success but some of them have cost me a lot of money in vet bills and they were already broken in!
 
hopo said:
Thanks all, very helpful replies! The reason I was wanting a foal was because I thought it would be unspoilt and I could teach it the way I wanted it to be. Ive had experience with a foal before, a pony that I tamed as foal, he gained my trust, and I ''broke in'' (he basically broke himself in, he's so good!) so I was wanting something similar but I know all horses are different! He was always pretty quiet. But I think after what everyone has said it would be best if I bought something private that I can ride now and save a foal for the future. Auction sounds very hit or miss, and it would be horrible having to see any that I want to ''rescue'' but can't or buying the wrong one. Just thought I may be able to help a horse. And I never thought of the point that buying horses in that situation actually supports the breeding of them for meat, very sad. Maybe in the future though. Can I just say on a last note, I came on this forum to ask for genuine advice on this matter, not to be a troll. It's very frustrating when people have a go at you because they think your taking the mick. I wasn't and I thought this sounded like a fair question. Please, be fair, and give your advice kindly and it will be listened to. I've been on forums like that before and it really puts you off posting questions. Sorry if it sounded stupid to you. I didn't expect some of the replies I got and Im sorry if I was rude. Thankyou for being helpful human beings! lol :)
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I think that that's a very sensible decision, I hope you find something you can have lots of fun with - good luck!
 
All 3 of the horses in my signature were from auctions in one waay or another, The welsh cob was £830 and came unbroken with serious issues from previous owners ignorance (I have now had him for 5 yrs and he is my horse of a lifetime and will never be sold) The coloured foal was free and is now 4 yrs old and was a BOGOF when I purchased her mum at auction, Ted the roan I bought as an unbroken 3 yr old from york sales for £610 and he was an absolute darling, he was in a bit of a poor state and full of worms but 6 months later even I could not belive it was the same horse.
I can only echo what the others have said and take another experianced person with you even if its just as an extra set of eyes.
I must admit I do prefere York sales as you can see the horses in stables and there is a sand arena at the back where you can see them ridden or trotted up.
I have never come away with a bad one - some are more challanging but all have been worth the time and work.
Good luck with your search and if anything at all niggles you or you have any reservations walk away more often than not your gut feeling is there to help.
 
teresagarsden said:
All 3 of the horses in my signature were from auctions in one waay or another, The welsh cob was £830 and came unbroken with serious issues from previous owners ignorance (I have now had him for 5 yrs and he is my horse of a lifetime and will never be sold) The coloured foal was free and is now 4 yrs old and was a BOGOF when I purchased her mum at auction, Ted the roan I bought as an unbroken 3 yr old from york sales for £610 and he was an absolute darling, he was in a bit of a poor state and full of worms but 6 months later even I could not belive it was the same horse.
I can only echo what the others have said and take another experianced person with you even if its just as an extra set of eyes.
I must admit I do prefere York sales as you can see the horses in stables and there is a sand arena at the back where you can see them ridden or trotted up.
I have never come away with a bad one - some are more challanging but all have been worth the time and work.
Good luck with your search and if anything at all niggles you or you have any reservations walk away more often than not your gut feeling is there to help.
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Wow, they were bargains, theyre all lovely!
 
The charities may have a more suitable horse for the OP, they assess the rider and it is less of a lottery.
We see dozens of people on here asking for help about horses they have rescued/bought in good faith and then get in to all sorts of difficulties.
It is a major commitment taking on any horse, not a good idea to go to horse sales. I have worked with horses off and on for many years, and we used to sell an odd one occasionally, but only to people we knew, anyone we did not like the look of was told the horse was not suitable. We were prepared to take the horse home obviously!
 
hopo said:
Thanks. Thats a fair comment, id probably feel sorry for any that look like they need "rescuing". So could be ruled by heart not head. We have 2 ponies already so companions not a problem, plus experienced people who can help me out. Thing is with getting one from a centre is its not really your horse. By your experience is it only "bad" horses that go for meat, i.e not "decent" foals. Sorry, that sounds horrible. Also i see what your saying about needing experience at auction but wouldnt that be the same with private? Thanks for your help
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no, at auction you have the iffy dealers bidding each other up, you have the bad breeders getting shot of badly conformed foals, then the even lower lot trying to sell what looks like a nice horse but that actually has a million issues and should rightly end up with the meat man. an auction is not a place for RESCUING.

ive been to many auctions and brought from actions, another forum member has one of my sales horses, we got lucky but then I have experience, ive also had another friend buy a top bred arab, that was a little sod and ended up with me to be sold on. the arab was proberly the more genuine of the 2 and we know for a fact the dealer I bought the other horse off lost money... ask yourself why these horses end up in such a place.

if your after a foal, look at the private ads, go and see the foal, more to the point if you are not that experienced then stay away from the action, and foals.
 
In answer to the title but perhaps not to the OP's question, I was at a horse auction in Aberdeen years ago and the yard man was being a bit liberal with his stick when putting horses through the ring. To keep the horse moving, he'd give it an occasional whack on the butt.

Finally, the patience of some one in the crowd snapped and he shouted, "If you hit another horse, I'm coming down there and ramming your **** stick up your ***** back side!" There was a resounding cheer from the crowd!

Livestock auctions were bad places back then and the yardsmen where very brutal and usually of very low intelligence. Thank God, that has mostly changed. So the RSPCA has done some good.
 
Not read all the replies as there are so many, but I have experience of going to quite a few auctions and my mare came from one.

As with everything, there are moral arguments for and against buying from auctions. Despite my horse having a heap of health problems since buying her I don't regret it one bit and I would do it all over again. You can buy a horse from a private home with full known history and still have things go wrong. Horses are complex creatures with complex bodies and are not designed for the purpose we use them for or the way we keep them. Things can inevitably go wrong.

It is hard not to go to the auctions and feel sorry for and take pity on the majority of the horses there. I took pity on mine and I imagine she would have gone to the meat man or someone less caring to get a couple more foals out of her. Some say, perhaps they're better going to the meat man. I disagree. She has worked hard all her life (traced her history) so why doesn't she deserve the peace and quiet I can give her, whilst trying to keep her as happy and healthy as possible whether that be for another month, year or ten years.

I think what I am trying to say is that you are unlikely to get a real bargain from the auctions, most come with health problems and a lot of initial care but I would never ever change my horse or what I did and I will do it all again when I lose her as, without being arrogant, I know I can offer it a good, experienced home and there are the more unscrupulous people that go to auctions as opposed to private homes. You can't save them all but if you are an experienced home, it is one less that will potentially end up at the meat man or in a bad home.
 
Hi I buy all mine from meat market or auction market some of these horses are not for the faint hearted and can come with their own set of problems and vet bills. I lost two four and three year old to ragwort poison vet bills were huge and still lost them iv had easy ones to sell on with a bit of time and food some for the the very experience and one I still have as imo to quirky to sell. With horses it dosent matter how experience you are buying from these places is a gamble.
 
My 3 all came from auction - 2 of them from Leominster, my little girl was £100 and the welsh was £150. I'll admit princess was an impulse buy, pretty faced little 8 month old chestnut filly looking miserable as anything stood with her head hanging so I took her home! Yes conformationally she's not perfect, bit cow hocked but she will make a riding horse hopefully we will start her this summer. Little Ted is the welsh pony, gorgeous little man broken to ride and drive - he came from derby we found out after we bought him so alarm bells were ringing then and the lady selling him wasn't very nice about him at all but he is worth his weight in gold, he puts up with all the things my autistic nephew does to him and let's my 2yo niece ride him and fuss him and all sorts.
My big man came from Ascot so totally different market really, paid minimum bid for him at £400 and haven't looked back - he is simply the best horse I have ever owned :)
I've found that yes sometimes it is a pull on the heart strings but you have to go in with your eyes wide open - get them trotted up ect I have been exceptionally lucky with all of mine having not had any issues and none were vetted either but have seen others have disasters and people getting hurt and horses being PTS within weeks because they were doped etc. just be very careful!
 
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jhoward said:
(snipped) no, at auction you have the iffy dealers bidding each other up, you have the bad breeders getting shot of badly conformed foals, then the even lower lot trying to sell what looks like a nice horse but that actually has a million issues and should rightly end up with the meat man. an auction is not a place for RESCUING.
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…and you have auctioneers doing what they can to sell on behalf of clients! If they don't sell, they don't earn commission. As a bright-eyed eager bidder who cannot take his/her hand down, you'll be very welcome!

Don't forget the auctioneer who runs up the unwary who think that they are bidding against another buyer but are in fact bidding against themselves!

Bidding at auction is an art….just like any other form of buying and selling. Go to a lot of auctions with someone experienced and watch and learn before making a bid would be my advice.
 
Dry Rot said:
In answer to the title but perhaps not to the OP's question, I was at a horse auction in Aberdeen years ago and the yard man was being a bit liberal with his stick when putting horses through the ring. To keep the horse moving, he'd give it an occasional whack on the butt.

Finally, the patience of some one in the crowd snapped and he shouted, "If you hit another horse, I'm coming down there and ramming your **** stick up your ***** back side!" There was a resounding cheer from the crowd!

Livestock auctions were bad places back then and the yardsmen where very brutal and usually of very low intelligence. Thank God, that has mostly changed. So the RSPCA has done some good.
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Good for them! Iv been to livestock farmer auctions before and gotta say i didnt like it much. Felt sorry for a lot of the animals and they were whacking the cows with sticks :(
 
Marzipan12 said:
Not read all the replies as there are so many, but I have experience of going to quite a few auctions and my mare came from one.

As with everything, there are moral arguments for and against buying from auctions. Despite my horse having a heap of health problems since buying her I don't regret it one bit and I would do it all over again. You can buy a horse from a private home with full known history and still have things go wrong. Horses are complex creatures with complex bodies and are not designed for the purpose we use them for or the way we keep them. Things can inevitably go wrong.

It is hard not to go to the auctions and feel sorry for and take pity on the majority of the horses there. I took pity on mine and I imagine she would have gone to the meat man or someone less caring to get a couple more foals out of her. Some say, perhaps they're better going to the meat man. I disagree. She has worked hard all her life (traced her history) so why doesn't she deserve the peace and quiet I can give her, whilst trying to keep her as happy and healthy as possible whether that be for another month, year or ten years.

I think what I am trying to say is that you are unlikely to get a real bargain from the auctions, most come with health problems and a lot of initial care but I would never ever change my horse or what I did and I will do it all again when I lose her as, without being arrogant, I know I can offer it a good, experienced home and there are the more unscrupulous people that go to auctions as opposed to private homes. You can't save them all but if you are an experienced home, it is one less that will potentially end up at the meat man or in a bad home.
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This is how i was thinking. And why not if you feel a connection to the horse. Like you say, private can be dodgy too, your never gauranteed. Im glad she's found a loving home. :)
 
Amicus said:
A lovely way of giving a rescue horse a second chance would be taking one on from the Blue cross, they seem to have a lovely selection in at the moment including youngsters. :)
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Yeah someone else mentioned a charity. Its just it wont reaslly be your horse :)
 
MrsD123 said:
Troll alert.......... do not feed.................
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I really hate posts like this. :(

I can't see any reason to say the OP is a troll. It's a perfectly reasonable question and they're not being offensive, but just politely asking. Why the accusation? :confused3:

Even if it had turned out that the OP wasn't a "real" person (which doesn't appear to be the case), the thread stands as a useful discussion for anyone else searching for info on buying from an auction. :)
 
I have one purchased directly from the meat dealer the day after a low end auction.

He's a lovely boy however he has his problems. He's only just come two, has poor skin all up his legs, has to be very carefully managed and cannot be left in muddy conditions. Has cost £200 in vets bills trying to get his skin better so far which as yet has improved but not fixed the problem. Vet now feels we should wait for his coat change and if we still see no further improvement then to get scrapings sent off to test. The chances are that even when we get on top of his condition it will still need to be carefully managed his whole life.

You shouldn't 'save' one unless you have the experience and money to throw at them. I wouldn't have normally brought this horse, I have no problem with them going for meat, however we have his brother so it was a little bit sentimental :-)
 
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