[LateBloomer]

Does anyone know how horse auctions work? I have never been to one, but am considering looking into it. How do they go about it? Do you go there before the auction to look at the horses? Can you try them out? Do they guarantee soundness, health etc.? This is the auction that is closest to us:
http://www.crowleyshorses.com/

It is at least 1 1/2 hours for us so I kind of want to have an idea before i decide to make the trip.

Thanks

[shell]

I live about 2 hours from there also. We should go check it out together! I live just north of Concord NH.

[emsNkeeper]

Sounds like a decent auction. Some owners will bring tack and allow you to try out the horse way before the auction begins. Others, you just have to gestimate about whether or not they're good. I beleive most good auctions, you are allowed to get a good look at a horse and feel for any soundness problems. Unless the horse is garunteed by the seller as sound or broke (and they have a return policy), you're screwed if it's not. I usually would only buy from a seller that's actually there standing by their horse, you can ask questions, and sometimes set up a deal.


Beware, horses are at auctions for a reason, there are usually a few really good ones there and then alot of ones whom this is not their first time there, nor will it be their last. Don't go unless you can really pick out leg and comformation faults. Though bringing an expereinced auction buyer with you for help is always good too.

Good luck guys, hope you find something nice.

[LateBloomer]

Shell, I used to live in Milford, NH! I miss that area soooo much! It is so beautiful. We used to have a view of Pack Monadanock from our exit off the bypass (Rt 101). A little bit of snow though in the winter.

I live in southern RI now, it's where I grew up. I get kinda tired of this weather here. We are so close to the ocean, it's takes forever to warm up in the summer, and we get rain/sleet/slush until February. It never really bothered me before we had horses, now I am always worried about ice.

I don't know, maybe we shouldn't even attempt an auction yet, we are not very knowledgable about these things.

Shell, have you ever heard of the Hollis Ranch? I see them advertised all the time.

[shell]

I have never heard of Hollis Ranch. I don't pay close attention as I should sometimes. We moved here 3 years ago from California! Talk about a big differance! I hate to have our horses here in the winter, but that is too bad. Can't do anything about it. I am use to ridding year round, but that is not the case now! So, now in the winter it is a good time for me to work on my book!!

[Simon Says]

the one down here in La and Miss is nothing to brag about. you go a sit down, i haven't ridden the horrse before hand, but i am pretty sure if there is enough time you can. I have ridden them in the ring, just to show people how nice my horses go. Then if we see one we like you bid, if you have the highest bid, you win. down here you can get a horse for as little as $50 up to a couple of hundred. you go to the window, pay get your paper work and collect you horse and go home!

[Blistering Winds]

Most auctions don't have the facilities for you to try the horse out. Unfortunately. But if you get their early enough, locate the owner (and bring your own tack too) you might be able to really ride one or two, but don't expect to try out every one.

Many horses go to auction for lameness issues, so watch them carefully.

Other than that, you register at the front, get you a number, and raise it as he calls out numbers. Listen carefully, set your limit on certain horses, so you don't go all crazy.

[James Robert]

An inexperienced horse buyer or inexperienced at auctions should not buy a horse at auction. There's too much that you don't know. If you want all the details, PM me.

[Expressa]

I agree that unless you are an experienced horse person going to an auction is not the best choice.
I usually don't go to little local auctions. I really enjoy the auction I go to here in Tx. They have it about 4x a year and they sell 500-600 AQHA and APHA that range from yearlings going as low as $500 or I have seen awesome roping/cutting/reining horses go for $30,000+. Its a very high class auction. They have amazing facilities and an nice indoor arena for people who would like to try out a horse they are interested in. They have vets on hand to check out a horse. They also have some sort of guarantee on the horse for a certain period of time (can't remember off hand how long it is). This prevents people from drugging up a lame horse w/ pain medication. They only stipulation is I think as soon as you leave the grounds w/ the horse its yours... or something like that. They also have a guarantee that if a horse is said to be pregnant that you are guaranteed a live foal or your money back. They have some truely amazing horses there w/ top notch breeding.
Basically all that was said to say that if you are going to go to an auction you have a better chance not getting stiffed at a facility like this one.
Good luck... even if you don't buy a horse they are still a fun place to go.