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BRECON REPORT 6TH NOV 2010 – Report by EMW-AFJ
Saturday 6th November 2010 saw EMW once again covering Brecon Market's sale of Horses and Ponies.
This auction was packed with 405 lots entered prior to the sale as it was annual show day, and there were many more entered on the day. Three EMW trustees were in attendance. We arrived around 11am to find the sale room and car parks already heaving, but the sale in the ring was yet to commence.
At the start of the day when we collected our catalogue and buyers number (just in case!) we came across several welfare handouts that had been left on the adjoining sheep and cattle's forthcoming McCartney's sales table. These included a copy of a letter from the Hill Pony Improvement Society of Wales on the Animal Welfare Act and also a large booklet from the Welsh Assembly Government on The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Equines. Sadly these were not in a prominent place for buyers and attendees to see, but it was a big step forward for animal welfare codes of practice being made aware of at auctions! We were pleased that McCartneys of Brecon were putting these for public to pick up. We hoped that they might discreetly handed one out to all buyers too.
Before the sale got under way the auctioneer gave a brief announcement on the same Code of Practice for Welfare of Equines as well as stating that the auctioneers could not be held liable for any injury or damage. Also that all equines are sold as seen, It was also stated that it was no better time to buy an equine, that the purchase would benefit the buyer in the future, by being an investment! Given the abyssmal state of the equine world right now that statement is debateable.
This sale, Annual Fair Day, also had classes that were judged on the day for Best Section A Colt, Filly and best Cob Foal. This saw the start of the start of the sale having some quality young stock in the ring. All were nicely turned out and showing off their rosettes. Most of these were not sold due to not reaching there reserve, the first 5 lots went straight out the ring not sold. However the next 20 or so lots that did sell went for slightly higher prices than we had seen or a while at Brecon, building our hopes a little for the day ahead.
Sadly after these few lots, it all changed and the 'normal' prices began to fall off.
Some nice youngsters were up for auction. Dismally some young foals did not make much more than a hamster would cost in a pet shop - that's so wrong and so worrying!!
What the hell is the point of the sellers and auctioneers time, fuel and cost of ownership only to put them in the ring for a few pounds?
When will these die hard breeders learn that leaving a mare barren for a few years is the right answer, will drive up prices, give these foals a chance at really good homes. A couple of years of moving the Stallions off the hills would be no bad thing either. We already know that those breeders with any sense are already doing these measures, very like the New Forest control measures. Down there the changes are clearly having impact with better young stock coming through and making much higher prices as a consequence.
We once again found it hard concentrate on what equine was up for sale in the ring due to the sheer number of people also in the ring at the same time! Perhaps the auctioneers ought to start auctioning them off too !
At one point we counted 24 people standing in the ring. As well as the weigh bridge/holding area, this was packed, so not easy to count. This is a huge safety consideration and not safe or fair on any equine being sold or any human within the vicinity of an already crowded auction house. There were also several small children inside the sale ring. An announcement was made by the auctioneer as to the safety of the children and could they please leave. Sadly this was not adhered in anyway, they just totally ignored him.
At one point a young lad was attempting to ride into the ring from the holding area on a large cob, with the heavy iron bars above just centimetres from touching his head – no hat - as he ducked to avoid the overhead obstacles. What was the sense in this? Riding in a ring this small doesn’t prove anything about the horse at all, it should be banned.
Lot 38 saw a randomly spotted filly foal that ( in our opinon – though obviously wrongly as it turned out!) was not blessed with the best looks or confirmation. She was sold for 920 guineas!! Many in the sale ring seemed as shocked as we were on this huge amount being bid, a huge applause was given as she left the ring. We at EMW wondered quite what it was that we had missed with her!
Many of the little A-Typical mountain foals were lucky to fetch more than 5 guineas with several selling for just 1 or 2!It is so hard to see a little life valued so low.
As soon as piebald, skewbald or spotted were mentioned by the auctioneer the price would rise dramatically regardless of quality – what’s this about? Good breeding stock or just a good skin colour for an obvious and unpleasant end?
Lot 151 was a little colt that was seen to be suckling of his mother outside the ring; he was sold as a separate lot to his mother prior to her going through the ring after him. When in was put in to the holding area of ones sold previously he attempted to suckle off a larger colt. It was heartbreaking to hear the mare calling for her baby as he entered the ring all alone. He went for 10 guineas with his mother making 45 guineas. When she entered the ring she was extremely distressed as to where her foal was, at this point there was some rough handling from one of the many men in the ring! We think they were both sold to the same buyer but did not hold out much hope as to their future. The colt immediately suckled the mare as they were reunited outside the ring exit so at least got some comfort.
Lot 188 was a very hard call for us all. It was a little grey Mare, stated as 10 years old in the catalogue, but she looked older. She appeared to have such a sweet nature in the pen, desperate for some love and security. She was sold for 15 guineas. We all debated on bidding, but had no transport on the day and she was out of the ring in no time at all. She reminded us all of EMW 'Lizzie' and' Rainbow' both grey mares rescued from Brecon over the last few years at the same time of year. On our journey home we reflected that we only wished we had bid on her, she was still tugging at our heart strings.
We later witnessed a little 3 year old Shetland Mare, stated in foal and already breed 1 foal!! She was broken to ride and was sporting a huge old fashioned GP saddle, more suitable for a large pony or small horse, on her back as she came into the ring. It was then announced that the saddle came with her to the buyer, how lucky they would be and unlucky the little mare if they intended to ride her with such ill fitting tack and with her also carrying yet another foal... How sad for such a young little mare. She was sold for 95 guineas and we can only hope she has gone to a decent home who chucked that bit of rubbish tack away! Shetlands on the day fetched good prices in comparison to the pens of section A ponies.
One of the last lots that was saw go through he ring before we left at 2pm (there were still approximately 250 lots to be sold!) was a tiny section A foal who was very distressed by the auction ordeal. Poor filly only wanted to get back to the comfort of the little herd she had been penned with, instead one of the large men walked over to her and hit her in the face!!!! Why? Does it prove macho-ism? Does nothing for us I’m afraid. Maybe the auctioneer could hand out similar punishment on all the people crowding inside the auction ring on these days!
That might work.
Prior to leaving we went to look around the pens which were a tough call for us all to witness. Once again young stock all packed in pens, no bedding, water or feed, herded from one pen to the next and with a long day ahead of them still. There were no welfare cases of emaciated equines, a few needed a bit more feed and a few had some pretty bad feet but nothing dire, overly distressed or dying. We spotted a tri-coloured cob with some pretty nasty sore patches under an old rope halter that was beneath its bridle, it didn’t look like it had been given much treatment for these wounds.
We all left feeling disheartened (often the usual mood after auctions) and helpless by what we witnessed with the foals selling for pitifully low amounts. It was yet another day when as far as we could tell we were the only equine welfare organisation in attendance other than Welsh Assembly Trading Standards as previously mentioned
Saturday 6th November 2010 saw EMW once again covering Brecon Market's sale of Horses and Ponies.
This auction was packed with 405 lots entered prior to the sale as it was annual show day, and there were many more entered on the day. Three EMW trustees were in attendance. We arrived around 11am to find the sale room and car parks already heaving, but the sale in the ring was yet to commence.
At the start of the day when we collected our catalogue and buyers number (just in case!) we came across several welfare handouts that had been left on the adjoining sheep and cattle's forthcoming McCartney's sales table. These included a copy of a letter from the Hill Pony Improvement Society of Wales on the Animal Welfare Act and also a large booklet from the Welsh Assembly Government on The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Equines. Sadly these were not in a prominent place for buyers and attendees to see, but it was a big step forward for animal welfare codes of practice being made aware of at auctions! We were pleased that McCartneys of Brecon were putting these for public to pick up. We hoped that they might discreetly handed one out to all buyers too.
Before the sale got under way the auctioneer gave a brief announcement on the same Code of Practice for Welfare of Equines as well as stating that the auctioneers could not be held liable for any injury or damage. Also that all equines are sold as seen, It was also stated that it was no better time to buy an equine, that the purchase would benefit the buyer in the future, by being an investment! Given the abyssmal state of the equine world right now that statement is debateable.
This sale, Annual Fair Day, also had classes that were judged on the day for Best Section A Colt, Filly and best Cob Foal. This saw the start of the start of the sale having some quality young stock in the ring. All were nicely turned out and showing off their rosettes. Most of these were not sold due to not reaching there reserve, the first 5 lots went straight out the ring not sold. However the next 20 or so lots that did sell went for slightly higher prices than we had seen or a while at Brecon, building our hopes a little for the day ahead.
Sadly after these few lots, it all changed and the 'normal' prices began to fall off.
Some nice youngsters were up for auction. Dismally some young foals did not make much more than a hamster would cost in a pet shop - that's so wrong and so worrying!!
What the hell is the point of the sellers and auctioneers time, fuel and cost of ownership only to put them in the ring for a few pounds?
When will these die hard breeders learn that leaving a mare barren for a few years is the right answer, will drive up prices, give these foals a chance at really good homes. A couple of years of moving the Stallions off the hills would be no bad thing either. We already know that those breeders with any sense are already doing these measures, very like the New Forest control measures. Down there the changes are clearly having impact with better young stock coming through and making much higher prices as a consequence.
We once again found it hard concentrate on what equine was up for sale in the ring due to the sheer number of people also in the ring at the same time! Perhaps the auctioneers ought to start auctioning them off too !
At one point we counted 24 people standing in the ring. As well as the weigh bridge/holding area, this was packed, so not easy to count. This is a huge safety consideration and not safe or fair on any equine being sold or any human within the vicinity of an already crowded auction house. There were also several small children inside the sale ring. An announcement was made by the auctioneer as to the safety of the children and could they please leave. Sadly this was not adhered in anyway, they just totally ignored him.
At one point a young lad was attempting to ride into the ring from the holding area on a large cob, with the heavy iron bars above just centimetres from touching his head – no hat - as he ducked to avoid the overhead obstacles. What was the sense in this? Riding in a ring this small doesn’t prove anything about the horse at all, it should be banned.
Lot 38 saw a randomly spotted filly foal that ( in our opinon – though obviously wrongly as it turned out!) was not blessed with the best looks or confirmation. She was sold for 920 guineas!! Many in the sale ring seemed as shocked as we were on this huge amount being bid, a huge applause was given as she left the ring. We at EMW wondered quite what it was that we had missed with her!
Many of the little A-Typical mountain foals were lucky to fetch more than 5 guineas with several selling for just 1 or 2!It is so hard to see a little life valued so low.
As soon as piebald, skewbald or spotted were mentioned by the auctioneer the price would rise dramatically regardless of quality – what’s this about? Good breeding stock or just a good skin colour for an obvious and unpleasant end?
Lot 151 was a little colt that was seen to be suckling of his mother outside the ring; he was sold as a separate lot to his mother prior to her going through the ring after him. When in was put in to the holding area of ones sold previously he attempted to suckle off a larger colt. It was heartbreaking to hear the mare calling for her baby as he entered the ring all alone. He went for 10 guineas with his mother making 45 guineas. When she entered the ring she was extremely distressed as to where her foal was, at this point there was some rough handling from one of the many men in the ring! We think they were both sold to the same buyer but did not hold out much hope as to their future. The colt immediately suckled the mare as they were reunited outside the ring exit so at least got some comfort.
Lot 188 was a very hard call for us all. It was a little grey Mare, stated as 10 years old in the catalogue, but she looked older. She appeared to have such a sweet nature in the pen, desperate for some love and security. She was sold for 15 guineas. We all debated on bidding, but had no transport on the day and she was out of the ring in no time at all. She reminded us all of EMW 'Lizzie' and' Rainbow' both grey mares rescued from Brecon over the last few years at the same time of year. On our journey home we reflected that we only wished we had bid on her, she was still tugging at our heart strings.
We later witnessed a little 3 year old Shetland Mare, stated in foal and already breed 1 foal!! She was broken to ride and was sporting a huge old fashioned GP saddle, more suitable for a large pony or small horse, on her back as she came into the ring. It was then announced that the saddle came with her to the buyer, how lucky they would be and unlucky the little mare if they intended to ride her with such ill fitting tack and with her also carrying yet another foal... How sad for such a young little mare. She was sold for 95 guineas and we can only hope she has gone to a decent home who chucked that bit of rubbish tack away! Shetlands on the day fetched good prices in comparison to the pens of section A ponies.
One of the last lots that was saw go through he ring before we left at 2pm (there were still approximately 250 lots to be sold!) was a tiny section A foal who was very distressed by the auction ordeal. Poor filly only wanted to get back to the comfort of the little herd she had been penned with, instead one of the large men walked over to her and hit her in the face!!!! Why? Does it prove macho-ism? Does nothing for us I’m afraid. Maybe the auctioneer could hand out similar punishment on all the people crowding inside the auction ring on these days!
That might work.
Prior to leaving we went to look around the pens which were a tough call for us all to witness. Once again young stock all packed in pens, no bedding, water or feed, herded from one pen to the next and with a long day ahead of them still. There were no welfare cases of emaciated equines, a few needed a bit more feed and a few had some pretty bad feet but nothing dire, overly distressed or dying. We spotted a tri-coloured cob with some pretty nasty sore patches under an old rope halter that was beneath its bridle, it didn’t look like it had been given much treatment for these wounds.
We all left feeling disheartened (often the usual mood after auctions) and helpless by what we witnessed with the foals selling for pitifully low amounts. It was yet another day when as far as we could tell we were the only equine welfare organisation in attendance other than Welsh Assembly Trading Standards as previously mentioned
Report by EMW-EL-S
6th November, Melton Mowbray – Leics.
6th November, Melton Mowbray – Leics.
"We arrived to find the car park pretty empty and thought that there was not going to be much going on. Boy, was I wrong!
Around 125 horses were for sale, each stall was full. Only about a tenth of the horses in the main holding pens had water and hay and these seemed to be the poor souls whose owners were truly reluctant to part with them and for whom recession has taken its toll. If vendors had not brought anything with the horses, they didn’t get anything. There is a smaller holding yard where about ten horses had full stone water troughs, but nothing else.
The rest of the horses had NOTHING. No water, no hay, nor a scrap of bedding.
There was no obvious RSPCA or T/S presence at all, not unusual for Melton.
I am happy to say that they have improved the sales ring as this used to be like a skating rink with horses slipping and falling all the time, but no-one fell today. There was one poor youngster who was reluctant to enter the ring and was slapped, thumped and hit by the spectators in order to get it in. I found this pretty hard to watch. When it refused to leave the ring, (which was not surprising, given its treatment on its way in) the same onslaught occurred and not a word was said by sales staff.
After all the latest talk about the Welsh and Dartmoor foals, I expected that there would be loads filtered through from the welsh border sales, but in fact there were only about 5 foals in the sale at all. These were a couple of good quality welsh sec A fillies which fetched on average about 150 - 180 guineas and some mini Shetland tots that went for 150 guineas each, so not bad prices. They seemed to be picked up by private family buyers.
I think the saddest thing was that the majority of the horses at the sale were 16.2hh and over, super horses who were just not financially viable for their owners. A couple reached 1000 guineas and went to private buyers, many were picked up by the dealers/meat man as they reached an average of only 350 guineas.
There was only one older horse and a kind family took pity on her and paid 200 guineas. I was glad to see that, as she would have come home with me otherwise!
Most were in good condition if a bit light. Many sales were blamed on loss of grazing, which explained why many were in good condition but were a touch light for my preference.
All in all, the condition of the horses on sale was good, the conditions of the stalls, lack of forage, water was dreadful. Many of the horses had been standing there since 9am and the sale finished at 3pm with buyers taking til 4.30pm to collect them. This is not acceptable. I brought two horses back to my sanctuary and both got on the trailer quick smart in return for a mouthful of hay, they were so famished, and thirsty, too.
The next sale is the last of the year, so it will be interesting to see what happens then."
Brecon Auction November 6th
REPORT PENDING.
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