Horse auctions are held across the United States — there are hundreds of horse auctions held ever year. Mathematically speaking, the most horses are auctioned in Texas, California, Kansas, and New Mexico. And while you may imagine an elite sales ring featuring one winning racehorse and treasured breed after another… there is another side to horse auctions.
You may be more likely to see losers than winners at the auction. Some of the ponies and horses that appear at auctions arrive in good health and are obviously well cared for. Their owners may be present, looking for buyers who will continue to love and cherish the animals. However, some horses come to auction from places where they received little care — or none at all. Some animals show signs of starvation, like visible hip bones and rib cages. Some horses show up with pneumonia, strangles, and serious foot problems that make it difficult to walk.
How do the horses end up in such poor condition? The reasons can vary:
- Some people don’t realize the time commitment involved when they get a horse.
- Some people don’t realize the responsibility of caring for a horse.
- Some people don’t realize the general cost of caring for a horse.
- Some people aren’t aware of a horse’s special needs and can’t afford them.
- Unfortunately, some people just don’t care about taking good care of a family pet or livestock.
At the auction itself, you may see even more poor treatment. Horses may be whipped or prodded as they move to and through the auction ring. They may not have access to water, and their stalls may not be clean. The horses themselves may mistreat each other, kicking and biting in the stalls and pens. There are no federal laws for regulating horse auctions, or horse care at auctions.
Unfortunately, many of the horses sold at auctions end up headed for the slaughterhouse. Many buyers at horse auctions represent federally licensed horse slaughterhouses. These “killer buyers” are often paid by the pound and look for healthy horses in good shape or those that can be fattened up with a few weeks or months of overfeeding.
So what can you do about it? Encourage local and state legislators to enact laws to protect horses at auction, which will in turn reduce the number of abused and/or neglected animals that appear. If you are a horse owner, plan for the entire life of your horse. If you cannot keep or care for your horse, locate a caring home instead of sending your horse to auction.