Fears

I'm afraid my fears are starting to come true.

Although I hate auctions, they are trying to enforce certain rules. They are no longer allowed to take extremely thin, blind, or horses who can't travel on four legs. I very rarely see any of these types of horses run through an auction these days. The lower end auctions may run horses through with these conditions but rarely the bigger loose hores sales that follow catalog sales.

Which leads me to my big fear. If the auctions won't take them, and the owners won't do the responsible thing, what's happening to these horses? We all know that they exist! I'm afraid they are standing in a drylot/overgrazed pasture sufferng and starving to death.

Makes me think I should stock up on round bales and keep my eyes open for thin horses in pastures. Of course I always look for horses while I'm out driving and I always take note of their conditions. But those that are thin, sick, or severly lame are normally squirreled away so you never see them. I dread the thought of these horses suffering, especially if this year will be colder than normal.