OLEX May 19 2009

OLEX May 19th 2009

by: ellie ross

Today's sale had well over 50 horses consigned. Prices overall were down. There was only one kill buyer in attendance who purchased at least 40 of the horses. His top price paid was 49 cents a pound, which was considerably higher than the avg. price.

OSPCA Inspector, CFIA Inspector and Min.of Ag. Inspector were all present.

Of course the majority were Standardbreds as can be seen in the photo taken of the kill horse pens.

Mentionable...

There was a lovely event horse that ended up selling privately. Very attractive horse with years of experience but a weak hock. I hope that his buyer is able to improve his condition.

A plain QH mare that appeared totally sound, very sane and well broke brought in by a dealer. She looked liked she would have made a nice first horse for someone.

A cute appy that was broke to ride, appeared sound.

There were 5 TBs in today's sale. I believe 3 went to kill and 2 were bought privately

A nice morgan cross that was well broke to drive and appeared sound

A lovely Percheron gelding bought by the kill buyer. I would assume the purchase was for re-sale and not for slaughter.

A skinny buy very cute and well broke clyde cross was bought by an Amish man. This is a nice driving horse that sold at a previous sale two years ago for $2200. The horse appeared sound and was simply no longer needed

There was an emaciated horse that I would hope the OSPCA would be pursuing neglect on the owner.

My apologies for not having more details on prices. Perhaps Alex will have them and post ?

There is a sale being held this Friday in Aylmer that I believe could be a kill auction. I hope to attend this sale and will post accordingly.
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Updates and Notes:

The OTTB mare by Wekivia Springs is still in need of a home. She would make an ideal broodmare or prospect for an experienced rider. She is broke to ride but needs re-schooling. Doesn't buck etc. Very attractive flea bitten grey. Solid build. Straight.

The EU will likely be imposing regulations on Canadian horse meat to implement a 60 day certification program on all horses to be slaughtered for human consumption/export.
This will result in horses bought for kill, to spend at least 60 days on a feedlot to pass certification. So, the EU has listened to the warnings about horse meat, the pharmaceuticals used on horses and the speculated risk of consuming such meat. Sadly, the horses will endure not only lengthy transport, but lengthy holding times as well.
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OLEX Report

by Alex Brown

Today's auction was similar to auctions on recent Tuesdays in terms of the number of horses that were sold. About 60. In recent weeks 2 - 3 kill buyers have been in attendance. Today, only the main kill buyer was in attendance. And because of that he was able to buy horses almost at will. He bought about 40 of the horses at the sale. He paid from as low as 15 cents / pound, to as high as 49 cents / pound. The odd thing about the horse he paid most for today is that it is not the type of horse he typically buys for kill. It was a big black percheron. The only conclusion one can draw is that this horse was bought for someone else. He did pay 43 cents / pound for a gorgeous and very healthy looking horse. That price made sense and is what I would consider his top price for a meat horse today. In recent weeks the top price paid had been about 3 - 4 cents higher. Today we had the same number of horses, less bidders, and therefore lower prices all around. The median price was down about 5 cents / pound.

What becomes clear as a result of attending these auctions on a weekly basis is that kill buyers are like any other buyers. They pay a premium for healthy looking horses. Today the kill buyer paid as low as 15 cents / pound for a couple of horses. These horses were under weight. And there were other horses, poorer looking, that the kill buyer simply does not bid on. The point is, kill buyers are not simply buying up horses that have no other demand. They are bidding on healthy horses, paying more for those horses as they outbid private buyers and other horse dealers. And there are horses they simply do not bid on at all.

Today five thoroughbreds went through the ring. Three went to kill.