[flutterby]

Where can I find where they are in PA? I'd like to attend one because I may be buying next summer. I'd rather save one from a slaughter but will go to an auction too.. Any info would be helpful!

[Blistering Winds]

Almost all auctions that sell horses without a minimum $1000 price might have a killer at.

you can call the auctions and ask if the kill buyers frequent them so you can bid above on one of the horses.

But even at that, if the horse doesn't sell at auction A, seller will take horse to auction B. eventually, without a buyer, the chances increase that the horse will end up being purchased by a killer.

Make sure you know what you are looking for as well. Just because you save a horse from the killers, doesn't mean that the horse is a good match/choice. Many perminantly lame/ill horses end up on the trucks. Which you will be better off if you do buy, turning the horse around and having them euthanized by the vet to save them any more suffering.

[Xiphias]

New Holland, PA. has a big one every monday, it is held in the day time, or it starts around noon and ends when ever....it is in eastern pa. not too far from lancaster... Cathy

[flutterby]

I thought horse auctions had pretty good horses... when I was younger, my parents bought 6-7 horses from auctions in an 8 year period. They adopted them out to good people there after. I've grown up with horses and helped out a lot on horse farms. I'm graduating this year and with my money saved up from working, I want to get a nice horse under 6-9 years old just to trail ride.. I would be better off buying from someone? Can you inspect horses before you bid on them?

[Blistering Winds]

Usually you can walk over and glance at them. But you cannot saddle up and ride.

Personally, I'd go non-auction if you aren't looking for a possible problem horse. Because you do not know, nor do you have the ability to really know the horse before you drop the money down.

Sometimes, you can luck out and find a good horse, but many times, those that go to auction did not sell through a personal sell, and the owner is ready to dump them somewhere. Winner take all.

When I purchase anything from auction, I go in with the mindset that I WILL leave with something who needs both medical and training help. NOt something that I would toss a saddle on and go. I am prepared to take home something that may need lots of $$ for medical problems, and possibly put them down. To something that might try to kill me as soon as he steps off the trailer.

When you go in with that mindset, you are prepared for what you get.

When you go looking for something calm and trained, like Murphy's Law, you'll never find what you are looking for.

[stb_chance]

where are you located at in PA?

[flutterby]

I'm in between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg... Near I-99 of PA. I don't want to really travel more than 2-3 hours to get one (in any directions) depending on how gas is next spring/summer. Hopefully with all of these unfortunate hurricanes, they'll be able to get back on their feet and our gas will come down a bit (it's ranging $3 a gallon still). The horse doesn't need to be bombproof or anything... Just not spooky with everything. I'll have a lot of time to devote to it and I would prefer to have a sound horse as well. I've noticed a lot of members here are from PA. Anyone know where I can buy a trail horse (filly or colt also - I'll train and break)? I want to spend under $600 at first unless payments would be agreeable since I'm most likely going to be boarding for the first few months of ownership.

[stb_chance]

I bought a very nice reg paint 3 year old mare at the auction this spring for $625, but I am located in northwestern pa. You have to really know what you are looking for at the auction. At the auctions near me you can look the horse over and have the owner ride it for you. I got lucky with my mare. She was only green broke, but she was a very willing little horse. Union City livestock auction is rather nice for an auction, but it is rather far for you.

[Xiphias]

Look up your local horse rescue, they might be able to help you....Cathy

[monica-n-shiloh]

I bought my gelding from the heritage farm auction in Easthampton, Mass if you are interested. It shouldnt be that far of a hop. Its a very reputable auction with some extremely nice horses going through it. I didnt see one horse in there that was the least big underweight and they had some gorgeous horses that were accomplished showers in there too that the owners had to see asap due to whatever issues in their life. If I had the money I woulda come home with a herd lol.

www.farmheritage.com