08/30/2026
Well what a night.
Well over 200 horses were consigned at the auction, which dragged into nine hours. Our early possible choices sold for $1,700 and up, so we set our sights on the horses at the end of the auction. These are the horses not advertised in advance and for good reason. There wasn’t much time to evaluate the line of last choices, but we were drawn to a group of old draft horses. Worn out, lame, half blind, each was used up and sent off, and at 12:30 am, it was us or the dealer. First we won a very large paint draft gelding, hips jutting out. In short order we added the half blind Belgian mare, who was so rangy she went for even less. Now, our advance fundraising covered maybe 1 1/2 horses…. but a third would not let me go. His front leg is damaged, he is really lame, a bay with a tangled mane and terrified eye. He was on the floor, big enough to be of interest for slaughter. The experienced dealers will eye a horse up and down to estimate weight, quality of meat, do some quick math, and determine their purchase limit. The bay was worth a bid or two, but not much more. The horse was tense and nervous, do you think he knew that his life was in the balance? We won his life and changed his final chapter with our action.
These first images are not good, it’s dark, and there will be more time to capture their full personalities as we get to know them. It was an emotional night. And yes, we hope that supporters will help us fill the gap to cover three intakes, all delightedly romping in a field in the dark. Watching them come to life, seeing where they were being turned loose, makes it all worth it.
