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Old 07-12-2012, 11:53 PM
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FGFan FGFan is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Riot View Post
I have a problem with owners dumping 15- to 20-year-old used-up broodmares in a public auction, and expecting us to believe that anybody other than a killer would even consider purchasing them or look twice at them.

And for every horse volunteers identify and purchase out of auctions like these, there are five that go to the killer. And there are the ones they have to leave behind, of other breeds. It's a terrible, heartbreaking thing to volunteer for. These women are threatened, have to remain secretive at times, etc. Sure, these cheap local auctions are great if you want to go buy a cheap pony for your kid, or a grade horse to put 30-60 days on and sell, but those are the rare stories, not the usual.

There's a reason the minimum price for any horse sold at Keeneland is set by the auction house at $1000, and it's because that's too much for a killer to pay.
The leaving behind is the hardest, heartbreaking and saddest part of the mission, it's almost like you have to put blinders on, it's so overwhelming. And yes they are threatened and have to do this very covertly or else they will be banned from the auctions. Nevermind having to act that the conditions of these animals doesn't bother you otherwise you're pegged as a rescue person.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LARHAGE View Post
I don't for one second believe they didn't know this was an auction frequented by kill buyers, I can guarantee you most horse owners of any breed know full well where the local kill buyer auctions are, most certainly the biggest breeders in Texas, the bottom line is they simply didn't give a crap, easy come, easy go, they clearly don't love the horses, it's simply the money.
Anybody that has any sense doesn't believe them, but I have to say I'm always surprised at just how stupid people are when you don't expect them to be even as the "biggest breeders in Texas".
I saw where someone posted somewhere else how it was BS that he was unaware kill buyers attended the auction..what he was unaware of was that the stealth rescue groups would be there.
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