Curiously, the name has changed from “…Draft Horse & Mule Sale” to “…Horse & Mule Sale”. I fear that is a reflection of the fact that the sale continues to represent more of a horse sale than a draft or mule sale. Not necessarily a bad thing I suppose, but I miss the heavies as they seem to be dwindling significantly. More and more stock and saddle types rather than the big boys (and girls).
The turnout continues to be good, maybe even better each year. The sale ring had been modified to allow more seating and more ‘show’ space for the exhibitors. That was a win for sure. I’m thinking there was an Auctioneer Free Meal somewhere that afternoon because they were on task for sure, which I did appreciate. Not nearly as much dead time calling for someone to get their horse to the gate. If the number called wasn’t in line, they went to the next one post-haste.
Slightly fewer No Shows, but more No Sales than last year. I have no idea what the norm is for that. The “show” exhibition style has caught on, I guess as sellers notice those “shows” bring in the cash. The showmanship was not limited to the Raber family this year. There were several exhibitors who made the effort to ‘show off’ their offering, much to the delight of the crowd. The hot trick this year was to “throw” the horse from the saddle. That’s a little over the top for me since I don’t see this as ever being of any practical use. I can’t imagine what circumstance would require me to get a horse down, WHILE I’m in the saddle. I’d just as soon get off for that. Yes I know it does show a level of trust and cooperation from the horse, ok. I definitely support the training of the horse to go down on command, as that is definitely practical. It’s the doing it from the saddle that’s seems a little like fluff to me. Of course I clapped profusely anyway. There were still the tarps, whips, and standing in the saddle parts too.
Sadly there were five sales for $50 or less. 35 sales between $1000 and $2000. The average price was $792 this year; up 35% over last year’s $588. Some stats below, from MY notes; definitely not anything official.
This Year v Last Year, of those who sold:
| Type | Year | Sales $ | % Diff Sales $ | Count | % Diff Count |
| Horse | 2014 | $ 72,240 | 235.22% | 81 | 170.00% |
| 2013 | $ 21,550 | 30 | |||
| Draft | 2014 | $ 31,525 | 3.53% | 26 | -36.59% |
| 2013 | $ 30,450 | 41 | |||
| Mule | 2014 | $ 13,200 | -58.56% | 22 | -65.08% |
| 2013 | $ 31,850 | 63 | |||
| Pony | 2014 | $ 9,855 | 39.29% | 28 | 100.00% |
| 2013 | $ 7,075 | 14 | |||
| Donkey | 2014 | $ 2,050 | -62.39% | 8 | -50.00% |
| 2013 | $ 5,450 | 16 | |||
| Bovine | 2014 | $ 3,400 | 2 | ||
| Total | 2014 | $ 132,270 | 37.25% | 167 | 1.83% |
| 2013 | $ 96,375 | 164 |
Yes, that says Bovine. There was a team of Oxen, and they were adorable.
| Sold / No Show / No Sale | Dollars | Count | % Count |
| No Show | $ – | 24 | 10.76% |
| No Sale | $ 25,695 | 32 | 14.35% |
| Sold | $ 132,270 | 167 | 74.89% |
| Grand Total | $ 157,965 | 223 | 100.00% |
Of the 167 that sold:
| Type | Dollars | Count | % Count | Average Price |
| Horse | $ 72,240 | 81 | 48.50% | $ 891.85 |
| Draft | $ 31,525 | 26 | 15.57% | $ 1,212.50 |
| Mule | $ 13,200 | 22 | 13.17% | $ 600.00 |
| Pony | $ 9,855 | 28 | 16.77% | $ 351.96 |
| Bovine | $ 3,400 | 2 | 1.20% | $ 1,700.00 |
| Donkey | $ 2,050 | 8 | 4.79% | $ 256.25 |
| Grand Total | $ 132,270 | 167 | 100.00% | $ 792.04 |
Top Sellers This Year:
| Breed | Price |
| QH | $ 5,400 |
| Draft X | $ 3,600 |
| Paint | $ 3,300 |
| Belgian | $ 3,000 |
| Belgian | $ 3,000 |
Maybe just me but it seemed there were fewer vendors this year and they cleared out earlier on Saturday. That’s when I like to shop. Of all the nerve. All in all a good way to spend a Saturday, for me anyway.