Kramers Sale

I'm still in a terrible funk but wanted to make a quick report. We made a quick run to Kramers to see what was there. I had hoped that the old, half blind mare was there but she wasn't. I guess I'm not surprised but we all know that she's not in a good place now.

We got to Kramers about 5pm and they were just about ready to do horses. I made a quick walk through and was surprised to see only one horse. There were about a half dozen minis standing in one pen but only one horse. She was a beauty. I'm not sure what breed, possibly arab cross. She was also fairly young. Not spooky like some arabs. You could tell she was pretty well shut down. But oh was she pretty.

The minis were all huddled together. They were all pretty shaggy although I can't say anything to that degree since Skippy has a hard time shedding out too, even with constant grooming.

We didn't stay to see the prices. I wanted to see what types of horses were there and if necessary pull the old mare if she was there. But since there was only one horse and a half dozen minis I wanted to get back home to watch the Kentucky Derby. I'm sad that I didn't stay to see how much that beauty of a filly went for but I knew it would only upset me.

I can only come up with one of two reasons why there was only a handful of horses/minis. Next Saturday is the Sioux Falls Regional Livestock Horse Sale. I'm guessing most people will take their horses to that auction since it's a bigger sale with more people. Unfortunatley there are more killer buyers at that sale too. I'm still learning the ropes as to who all is a kill buyer. The other reasoning would be that Kramers is actually cracking down on the thin, blind, and can't travel on all four feet types of horses. Except I talked with the vet who said she'll be there at this upcoming sale and is the one to turn them away.

I'm still at a loss as to how to protect those horses that will be turned away. They are going to die out in a pasture. Simply said, this new ruling is going to kill these horses. They now have NO chance of anyone saving them. It's not like I want the kill buyers to buy them for slaughter but now I won't even have a chance to try and pull any of these types of horses. They'll be hidden away in some pasture or barn.

The only thing I could possibly do is start running an ad in Kelo saying I'll take your thin, blind, and injured horses. Then I'd get all the wack job people coming out of the woodwork. And it wouldn't make these "owners" pay for their sins. So it's a catch 22. No matter the outcome, the horse is going to suffer.

I'm still in a funk so I doubt that I'll post more this coming week. We have a trail ride tomorrow and I'm planning on taking Zeke. It should be fun and I think I need a break from all the stress and just have an opportunity to ride. I've never ridden Zeke on a trail ride so it should be fun. He and I get along pretty well. I do really like him. He is a diamond in the rough.

I am planning on attending the Sioux Falls Regional Livestock Horse Sale this Saturday, May 8th if anyone wants to go with me. I'll be taking notes of prices, buyers, etc. I'm sure that after this sale I'll be even more "in a funk" than I currently am. I have to remind myself that even though I probably won't bring a horse home during this sale, I need to get my ducks in a row so that I can be prepared for bringing a couple horses home this fall when they really need to be saved. The prices will be less and there will be more kill buyers and less private buyers at the fall sales. That's my only saving grace for not doing more.

So the offer stands, if you're intersted in going, please let me know and we can go together.