What to do/expect

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horserider26

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I am going to be going to a horse auction next month intending to get a cob (or two), most probably Beeston. I have never been to an auction before (unless an furniture one when i was 5 counts?), so have no idea what to expect really, what to take, how to bid, how to pay, how/when/where I collect the horse I've brought, or anything really.
Hopefully one of my friends is coming & she has a lot of experience at auctions in Ireland but is only coming if she isn't competing that day or the next (so doubt she'll come goes out a lot).
So any help would be greatly appriciated.

- have read the horror stories so aware it could be awful & I will most probably want to buy everything there, hense only taking a small box so can't come away with more that 2.
 
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Never bought a horse from an auction but i've been with people who have. You normally have to register as a buyer with the office but sometimes you just use your surname if sucessful. Some auctions wont take anything but cash so check beforehand, you pay at the office and receive passport then collect the horse from the numbered pen. If you arrive early you'll get to see the horses being brought in and know who's got them in the sale and how many they have to give you an idea of who the horse has come from and who to ask questions in the pens. Take a good look at the horse and how it moves around the pen (friend once bought a colt with only one testicle as we forgot to check lol), check legs, feet, body for lumps and bumps. Stick to your budget!!!!! and good luck.
 
Go in plenty of time to look at them before bidding starts. Get a catalogue if possible. Note number and colour of the ones u like before bidding starts and do not bid on anything not on this list. If it looks good in the ring and is going cheap don't bid as something stopped it going on the list. Give ur list a ranking. If ur 4uh favourite is in 1 st don't bid. If ur favourite is in last and u can afford 2 maybe bid on another 1st but guage what sort of prices and allow enough for ur favourite. If u don't get one of the ones on ur list do not pity buy. Go home and return another day to start a new list. Don't buy direct off dealers if they don't want to put through the ring it's coz they think u will pay more than the auction would raise or it will miss behave in ring. If u don't get what u want is not to be. Don't get hung up on the one u didn't get. There will be a similar or better one next time. Don't look too keen. Dealers will bid on each others to push price up for each other if u look too keen. Ask to go in and look properly at the ones u like. Check legs and touch face. Do not make comment about how sweet pretty or lovely he is in front of dealer. Good luck finding ur horse. Take ur time.
 
If I were you, I would go to a few sales with your hand firmly in your pocket and see how it all works without the excitement of potentially bidding.

When you do go, get the sales catalogue and mark what's potentially interesting in it, stop you getting sidetracked - there's limited time to check them all out and it's much better to have a proper look at what you genuinely might buy.

Register with the Sales Office as soon as you arrive - check with them prior what form of payment they accept - cash, cheques, bank draft, credit card etc etc

They will give you a A5 size card with your number on it - this is what you can wave at the auctioneer when you bid. They will have a number of "spotters" standing by the auctioneer (people watching for bidders) so don't worry that they won't see you - you can just look directly at them and raise your hand - no need for secret signals lol.


Don't buy with your heart - buy with your head - set a sensible budget and stick to it - it's very easy to get carried away :)

When you are the successful bidder, they may ask if you want the horse vetting (depending on the sale and the sale price - some don't offer vettings if the sale price is under a certain figure) and then you go to the Sales Office to sort out payment.

Take travel kit - although bear in mind, if the horse is young, it may not have worn boots before and it may be better not to introduce them at this time.

Make sure you have read the Terms of Sale thoroughly so you know where you stand - Brightwells for instance have various conditions under which you can return the horse - eg if it doesn't load or has undeclared sarcoids etc
 
As above re. watching /using head not heart.
T o bid when auctioneer says price ie 250 you put up your hand if you are successful they will say sold to no ??? or to the "lady in the front row"
You then go to pay/ collect passport and can then take horse away ,you may also get a pass out.
Most sales give you til a certain time later the same day to collect.
 
Yer i second having a look before the auction starts as weve been and bought a pony even before it goes through the auction saved sitting watchin all the horses go through and being tempted to bid on ones you dont want
 
Hi,

You need to check with the auctioneer (office) about whether you need to pre-register or not, it may or may not incurr a fee, and you will need proof of identity.

You do not have to take cash, but again check, it's many year since I went to Beeston, but most places accept cards - but do check with them.

At the auctions we use (not equestrian but agricultural) we have a number issued, and use that when we win something. (If you can call it winning).

Go first BEFORE you intend to buy as listening to the activity can be abit difficult if you have never done it before.

The bidding can be fast, and also the bidding can be the owners/friends bidding up the animal/product you want in order to get a better price.
So you do need to be careful.

It's also not unusual to have the auctioneer 'bounce' bids off a wall - ie. take a bid against you from nowhere.
We've seen this at a poultry auction once,

I really do urge you to go first and check it out, it can be confusing, daunting and also you can end up being emotive about things and not see something potentially serious.
Are you planning to go to the Warranted or Unwarranted sales?

I have in the past purchased from a sales, sometimes it's OK, and other times issues have been there. (Although I haven't done this for afew years)

Be careful.

Write the lots you like, and set yourself a budget and STICK to it.
If you are not massively knowledgable about physical issues/defects etc... then take someone who is, and listen to them.
FEET - always check the state of them.

There is a reason that horses are in an auction, sometimes it's for bad issues/ health things that are not declared or dangerous habits.
However, we one bought a smashing welshxhackney pony who was simply a livery debt what a lovely pony and a nice bargain.
 
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