What is Right and Wrong at Auction?

Growing up in the Saddlebred industry, I've been familiar with auctions such as the former Tattersalls in Lexington, the Robertson Equine Sales in Shelbyville, and Southern Saddlebred Sales in Murfreesboro. Horse auctions are not an uncommon way of selling a horse. In most cases, I don't have a problem sending a horse through an auction. If you have a decently nice show horse you are trying to sell, it will more than likely go to a good home. There are plenty of people who come to these sales to look for a show horse.

What does bother me about these auctions are the horses that are sent through the sale just so the owner can get rid of them. Maybe the horse didn't quite work out as a show horse or their career seems to be winding down. I've seen too many stories of horses like these ending up in bad places. The New Holland Sale in Pennsylvania receives many Saddlebreds, where there are many kill buyers. Rescues take in what they can and other generous people who are able to help out do so as well. However, Saddlebred rescues are often full and it is impossible to save them all.

If a horse doesn't turn out to be that show horse you were hoping for, they may be suited for something else. Perhaps they would enjoy jumping or eventing, maybe they would make a good trail horse, or a good companion at someone's home. They could even work out as a lesson horse in someone's program. In order to market a horse as some of these options, you have to venture outside of the Saddlebred world, which some people in this industry either aren't willing to do or simply do not even think about it.

Too many times I've heard stories of people finding a former show horse in a bad home or on a kill lot. These horses work hard to perform what they are asked, and what do they get in return? Some are retired by their loving owners where they enjoy time in the field. Others are able to transition into a lesson program and teach kids the skills they need for a show horse. But, there are also the unfortunate ones. Some of these show horses are sent through auction at an age or condition where it's not likely they will find a good home. I read one story where a Saddlebred was a successful two year old in fine harness but did not pan out under saddle. The horse was sold to the Amish and later found in skin and bones condition at auction about to ship to slaughter. He was bought, nursed back to health, and is now being shown again by a junior exhibitor.

If it seems like I am calling people out, then maybe they need to be called out. Just because a show horse didn't turn out to be a six figure world champion like everyone hopes for, doesn't mean they didn't work just as hard. People need to take responsibility for the horses they own. It may be more cost effective to run a horse through auction to get rid of it, but that is not necessarily right. I applaud those who retire their horses after they have worked so hard instead of allowing them to be sold over and over again until they end up in a bad place.

In my opinion, no horse deserves to be treated any less just because they don't work out as a show horse or are not on the top of their game anymore. It may take more work to place them in the right home or a lesson program, or it may be an extra expense to retire them, but as owners, we carry the responsibility of what happens to our horses, and they deserve to be cared for throughout their life.

Photo source: Instagram, The American Saddlebred (@theamericansaddlebred)