Here's our story

[Marnie]

I know our friend that was going to stay for the horses said that they sold some of them on Fri yet. He said the stud colts and unreg ones, ponies. They knew people would want to head out Sat early. So I don't even know if anyone was there all day for the horses to get the prices, it'd be interesting to see though so I hope someone has them. Our friend decided not to stay, he headed out with his truck and trailor yesterday morning at 8 and he first got here about 6 last night, he too said the roads were horrible but at least he made it. For those thinking we go for good deals, we don't. I was prepared to pay $1200 apiece for those two jennys that I wanted, we are willing to pay for good stuff, we go as it's a fun "chick" trip, just us girls, a getaway for us. We're all farm type people, don't go on vacations, can't get away once spring comes, to much work and foaling season. So it's not that we go looking for something Cheap, although I sure would like to find a good deal. We go because we love the animals and love the getaway. But I never saw them abuse the animals like this before, especially when they kept slamming that heavy metal door on them when they were only half way out, that was the men, not the kid. Maybe it was because they were in a hurry, with the terrible weather prediction they wanted to move the animals thru quickly and that's the only thing they knew to do. And who are we going to report it to when the guy who runs the sale is right there? But he wasn't in the ring the whole time. I will say one more thing, I have been told by a few people that the guy who runs this sale is a very good person, so maybe my run in with him was not the way he really is but then why did he say that to me? We don't know if we'll go back next yr. It wasn't much fun this yr, that's for sure.

 

[bfogg]

:no: :new_argue: Man they are so lucky I wasn't on the property! Oh I am boiling mad and I wasn't even there!!

There is no need for those animals to be treated like that or kept in those conditions.

As the person putting this sale on HE is the person responsible to see that EVERY animal is kept in a clean, safe comfortable place. If you can't afford to do this then you shouldn't be putting on a sale! period!!

And my God how tacky to not give a horse a halter, you can get them for ten bucks even cheaper, add the ten bucks on and let every one know ahead of time. It just leaves a bad taste in peoples mouths to have to scramble for a halter?

I am sorry but this just rubs me the wrong way. And believe me as I tell the kids at school, what you put out in the universe the universe gives back only multiplied 10 times. Wonder how their luck is running???????

:

They will have to encounter and feel the suffering these animals went thru before they get into the pearly gates............

And that kid ??? What must the parents be like?

GRRR.

Bonnie

 

[Ashley]

I have never been to the sale. HOwever all I will say is it can not be any worse then how the Eau Clair sale is ran. IMO that is by far the worst sale there is. I would like to see it go away personally.

NOw, yes before I get jumped on I did buy a horse from that sale. And he was in my opionion one of the best one on the sale that time.

Many of them come in with long feet, half starved and just sick. Never heard anybody jump on here and complain about that sale?

 

[Marnie]

Ashley, I'm not going to argue with you as I know you love to argue and don't PM me, I won't answer you. But you know there has never been anyone kicking and slamming doors on the animals at the Eau Claire sale. Yes, some come in so skinny and neglected and yes, after that sale, theirs alot of crap written about that one too on here, maybe you missed it but I doubt it. (remember the kill buyer who had the amish drag the precious babys onto the death truck and the studs he put together> I think the kill buyer should not be allowed there ) But they all have halters and leads, everyone has to be coggins tested. The barn is absolutely clean because it's not a real horse sale barn, the stalls are set up just for this sale, with the shavings already dumped into each stall. All the animals are Inside too. Theirs no comparison. I just had to put this here as I know you've been to the Eau Claire sale and you know every word of this is the truth, enough said. This isn't even about the Eau Claire sale, why bring it up, we could get into the Waverly or Neilsville sales too but whats the point? I'll crawl back in my hole now.

 

[Pandora]

In WI there is a law that every horse sold must come with a halter. I think that's why the Eue Claire Sale you get those halters that are wrapped up on the horse..I can't explain it but if you have bought a horse there you know what I mean. The halters are oversized are made to fit basically. I didn't see any abuse at the Eue Claire sale like mentioned at this other one, BUT no there is still some abuse that goes on, but in the sale ring I didn't see any abuse. But I have only been there once.

That kid should be whipped soundly for treating animals that way, but I'm sure he learned it from his parents so they should get the same punishment! And throw salt water on their wounds also!

 

[mmmorgans]

I had thought about going - there were a couple of horses that I would have liked to have bid on. But - am I ever glad that I stayed home in Canada - I would have had a fit if I had witnessed any abuse of the animals. This should be reported to the authorities to ensure that it will never happen again.

Glad you got home safely - hope everyone else that attended got home safely too.

If anyone has prices - when you get a chance would you mind posting them. Thanks.

 

[vvf]

My husband and I attended the sale on Friday also.

We were there early in the morning and stayed for the Llama’s, donkeys and cattle.

In my opinion, with the exception on the kid in the ring, I didn’t think the donkeys were mishandled. (I only saw the kid pushing one pregnant jenny using his foot)

Which I agree, he should not have done. If he was my kid, I would have kicked his butt.

(I am not saying that he didn’t do it to more than 1 donkey, but I only saw one, I might have went out for coffee and missed some of that)

You need to realize that when you bring an animal into a strange place, they are apprehensive and didn’t want to walk through the door into the sale ring.

Most of the owners did not bring the donkeys into the ring themselves.

Maybe they should have, but that was their choice.

So it was up to the ringmen to bring them in and out of the salering.

I watched the ringmen try to push them through the door, (in my opinion they were not rough with them)

In doing so, the donkey would plant its front legs (like donkeys do)

So when the guy would be behind the donkey pushing it, and it’s front legs were planted firmly in place, naturally the rear end of the donkey would lift up.

Same thing going back out of the ring.

As far as slamming the door on them…. I guess I didn’t see that either, (and i was sitting in the front row)

of course I could hear the door slam because it is a big heavy metal door and does make noise.

But I did not see an animal slammed by the door.

As far as coggins thing goes…….

Even though a South Dakota consigner is not required to have their animal coggins tested if it is being sold and staying in the state.

I do agree and Yes, I think it is a cheap consigner that doesn’t have coggins on your animals. (because so many of the animals that are sold, will go outside of the state)

I also think if you have a coggins done your animal will sell for a better price.

BTW Not all South Dakotan’s are cheap. lol

But,

they do announce which animals do not have a coggins and they also announce that if you come from a state that requires a coggins that they have a vet on the grounds that will do a coggins for a cost of I think $17. and I think it can be done in less than 1 hour.

So when a person is bidding, you should pay attention to which donkey/horse does or does not have a coggins.

Then spend the amount of money that you think you should knowing that you will need to pay for the coggins.

There were a lot of horses at this sale, and there were several horses that were from people that were dispersing their entire herds, or coming from an estate and I know a lot of those horses were grouped together.

But yes I agree, there could have been more pen room.

I think the sale management wanted to try to keep all the horses/donkeys under the roof. Instead of in the outside pens. (maybe they didn’t expect quite so many consignments)

South Dakota had just recently had a few nice warm days prior to the sale, which was great, but also made for a lot of mud.

As far as the guy running the sale….we have known him for years and I gotta tell you…..he and his family must be doing something right…..because this sale has been an annual sale for over 40 years… (with a lot of happy customers)

It does draw a crowd and it does have a large selection of animals consigned.

And many of the same people continue to come back year after year, from all over the country.

I for one hope it continues for another 40 years.

 

[Ashley]

My point is sales are sales. THey all have something not "great" about them. Some worse then others. I rather see a horse with long feet then bones sticking out of its body everywhere. But that is just my opinion.

 

[Marnie]

You're right Ashley, they all have bad and good and people see abuse in different ways. If we don't like it, we should just not go back, which we won't, maybe others like it, they can go, to us, it's heartbreaking, maybe we're just wussy. We never meant it to be a sale bashing, just about our trip.

 

[vvf]

Well i know what abuse is. And i didn't see it at this sale.

It seems to me this thread should not be closed just yet....Let's let the other side be heard.

.

Oh, and i have no vested interest in this sale, if anyone is wondering. It just bothers me when the whole story isn't told.

Cindy

 

[DunPainted]

[SIZE=12pt]OOOOH, No! DO NOT CLOSE THIS THREAD !!![/SIZE]

LONNIE'S (the owner of the auction) REPUTATION IS BEING DRAGGED THROUGH THE MUD!

As my father always said...... DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU HEAR.....AND HALF OF WHAT YOU SEE!

PLEASE GIVE ME A FEW MOMENTS TO POST [SIZE=14pt]MY THOUGHTS[/SIZE].

There's two sides to EVERY STORY...... let's take a look at Lonnie's!

Cindy

 

[DunPainted]

FIRST......

My condolences to QTR RAES (Donna Herold) who lost her beloved 21-year-old mare at 10:30 pm -- just a few hours before scheduled to leave for the sale

: Please keep her in your prayers.

That said, with all the love in my life for my dear friend, I begged Donna NOT TO GO, due to the poor weather forecast. Also, I offered Donna and another gal on the "chick trip" my Super 8 room reservation ($40 per evening) for that night.....in case the weather was bad. Shoot for $10 per person, it's cheap safety insurance.

Of course, I'm glad you gals made it home safely.......BUT..... y'all need a good spankin. Dang it, I'd be mourning the loss of a beautiful, wise friend. And for what?