Riding in an auction area?

Question

iam taking my mare to an auction, Ive never had to ride in an area befor and was wondering if theres anything i can do to make ppl want to buy her

Answer 1

What kind of horse is it and what do you use it for?

If it's a stock type (paint, QH, app, etc.) then cut its mane to about 3" and put it in rubber bands.  Give it a bath, apply hoof polish to hooves, clip the bridle path, whiskers on face and eye lash hairs, and the fetlocks.

If it's an arabian or saddlebred (or other pleasure-type horse) then a long flowing mane is a must, but you should still clip the bridle path, ears, face, and fetlocks.

Brush the tail really well.

You can groom a $100 horse to make them look like a $5000 horse - it makes a HUGE difference in the auction arenas.

Next - assuming your horse is broke - you can do all sorts of things to show it off.  You can allow people to ride it before the auction (and you should ride it around the show your horse off).

During the actual auction - put on a show.  Show how your horse stands nicely for mounting.  Sometimes people will stand up on the saddle to show how quiet they are.  Get off and on from the "wrong" side.  Walk under her belly.  If she doesn't mind tarps, you can bring in a tarp and show off how "non spooky" she is.  If you have a little kid that can safely ride her - bring them along and throw them up in the saddle.  Lope her around.  Rub the ears, pull on her tail, lift up her feet, ride her bareback.  You have to move fast - and show little things quicky as you don't have much time - but take advantage.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

It really doesn't matter how well the horse rides, you can use the ring rail to your advantage and make him do just about anything that you want him to do...just don't try to do it too fast or it will look as though he isn't responding, do whatever you do fairly slow, and it will appear that the horse is responding faster. When you enter the ring, be prepared to tell the auctioneer his age, breeding, and if he is sound, say so.  If he isn't, you aren't required to say anything...also if you can honestly say anything positive about the horse, now is the time, things like, our little boy rides him in playdays, or follows a cow real well or traffic and parade proof, things like that.  When you reverse, turn INTO the fence, not the other way around...it puts the horse back on his haunches and forces him to do a perfect rollback every time.  When you want him to back, go right into the fence at a fairly fact pace, then pick up lightly, squeeze with your legs and pick up on the reins...actually, he wants to back up out of a corner or get his face out of the fence.  It makes so much difference if you have a round, square or long ring on how well you can show the horse to his best advantage...practice using your legs a lot, so that he will be used to it...actually be cuing him with your legs and following up a nanno second later, making it appear that he is responding quickly.  Once you have turned into the fence once to roll him back, keep him going in a 360...he will do it there even if he wouldn't/couldn't out in the open.  Just about every horse will continue riding the same as he has been in the ring if you lean down and slip off the headstall and put it under his neck, as close to his head as possible...he will just continue doing what you have been doing before...that is much better than standing up on your horse...that's absolutely silly, proves nothing and takes a chance on blowing the whole sale...even if your heel pokes him and he just tries to move away from it, it's hard to stand up there and not look foolish, and worse yet, you could possibly fall.  Remember, when you dismount, remove the tack and pick up all four of his feet..if he has allowed you to in the past, rub his face and ears with your hand and yes, it's old hat, but walking under one is another thing that you can do to show how gentle he is...most horses, gentle or not, will allow you to do that.  When the horse sells, don't just shoo him out like used garbage, wrap the reins around his neck, close to his head and lead him out the out gate.  Shows more respect for the horse and makes the buyer feel better about his deal as well.

EDIT*****I might add, the better you show him, the least likely he will go to the killer plant...furthermore, even if a packer buyer buys him, if he rides well, he won't go to the plant, he will go back to the country somewhere to be used, so don't allow others to make you or the owner  feel guilty about selling one at an auction....

Answer 3

They have people there that will ride her for you.

Answer 4

Its true, auctions are a bad bad bad place to sell horses! I put this to you; you go back in a month or two to check her - there is NOTHING (and I mean nothing) that you can do if:

a) they won't let you

b) you get there and aren't happy with her care

Personally, I would never consider sending a horse to an auction.

Answer 5

I recommend you find a private buyer for your mare. A horse auction is a bad place to sell a horse. Many of them end up going to slaughter.

Answer 6

One of the best things to do, or at least that stand out to me when I am looking for a broke horse at an auction is riding INTO the area, getting off, picking up the feet, getting back on, touching the horse all over without it moving while on the back of the horse. Take the saddle off so people can see the confirmation of the horse, back structure ect. If your able to ride bareback, ride around the pen a bit without the saddle.  

Answer 7

You do realize that many people at the auction right now are buying horses to bring to Canada or Mexico to the slaughterhouses?  

Answer 8

Well, any auction I've been to, the arena is very small.

I'd have it groomed to the max

I prefer neck reining over direct reining...doing circles both ways, tiny little figure 8's...people are able to see both side of the horse as it moves.

If it can side pass...do it

Backing up

haunch turns

If the horse can do 360 turns...get in the center and demonstrate

Also...after your movements...stop and let the horse settle and stand quiet...hopefully without having to 'hold' it in place.  Facing the audience.  

Auctions I've been to...also have a viewing time before the horse ever goes into the arena.  Use that time to show off a good disposition, acceptance of saddling and bitting the horse.  Picking up hooves, touching the horse all over, following you on a lead in all directions...things like that, that show it has good manners.

Hopefully the horse will go home with someone...and not a meat man.

Answer 9

I can't add much, except the small town auctions are where the small time kill buyers go.  The ones with limited hauling means, who only pick up a few at a time.

Low end sales are usually close to the last stop for low end horses.  Sure, there are some traders and rescuers and rehabbers, and people "just looking" who leave with a decent horse at a great price...but it's sure not the best way to sell a horse.

And I'm wondering...go check up on her a month or two later, find her in a terrible place, mistreated, uncared for, or worse...and then you do what?  

Feel bad?

Say, "oh no!"

Just wondering.