1964-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1964 October Voice | Page 23

how to ride; SNUBBY was the pony who taught me everything I know about horses. The first blue ribbon I ever won was on SNUB- BY’ S dear old back. SNUBBY won pony classes( Shetland) all over the country. SNUBBY raised me and took care of me for 17 years, and when I lost him I lost one of the best friends I’ ve ever had. These last few weeks old age had finally caught up with him, and he was so weak and so pitiful that there was nothing else we could do but put him to sleep. SNUBBY is buried in our yard, right by BIG MAN, in front of the new barn. A hand made cross and a marker will be erected in the remembrance of the greatest Shetland pony that ever lived.

LATE NEWS SPECIAL— We just learned that our 1964 World’ s Grand Champion, PERFECTION’ S CARBON COPY, will be standing at stud at Joe Webb’ s new barn in Searcy, Ark., starting January 1, 1965. More on this later.

Wanted BARREN MARES

Do you have a good mare you can ' t get in foal? Bring her to us! We ' ll make your mare have a colt whether she aims to or notl

Terms: Private Treaty( Mare certified in foal by D V. M or no fee.) Transportation available write

BREEDERS CONSULTANT SERVICE P O Box 411 Shelbyville, Tenn.

: Si & itl-Me fya / un ~

Owned By: Parkway Manor, Incorporated ~

- Atlanta, Georgia Z ~ y i i i i i i i i i i 11 t m i i i i I I I 111L

OCTOBER, 1964

How to Conduct a Horse Auction Horse auctions are like a threering circus, an old fashioned revival meeting, and a political convention— all in one. In altogether too many cases, they have also reverted to public gathering places where unsuspecting buyers get fleeced by fast horse traders. It’ s time for a change. Otherwise, horse auctions will not survive. As evidence of this statement, if any evidence is needed, note( 1) the scarcity of buyers actually remaining in the bleachers at the end of most auctions, and( 2) the number of high priced horses that are not taken to new homes following many sales. Requisites of a Successful Auction

Here are the requisites of a successful horse auction:

1. Honesty and integrity in management. In a consignment sale, the sale manager should not be beholden to any consignor; moreover, he should represent prospective buyers, rather than sellers.

2. Charge a flat entry fee, either( 1) for the full amount of the estimated sale expenses or( 2) for half or more of the estimated sales expenses with the balance of the sales expenses, arrived at on a pro rata basis of selling price. Avoid a percentage of gross sale entry fee because it( 1) makes for hedging on advertising and promotion, and( 2) favors and encourages entry of less desirable horses.

3. Set the entry deadline at least six months in advance of the sale; then hold to it. Require that a substantial entry fee and a 3-to 5-generation pedigree accompany the entry.

4. Prohibit withdrawal of accepted entries, except if certified to by a veterinarian as due to death, injury or disease.

5. Require that all entries pass a rigid inspection after arrival at the sale grounds. The Inspection Committee to consist of a committee of three competent horsemen, one of whom should be a veteranarian. Reject horses that are not up to standard. Announce all blemishes and unsoundnesses from the auction block, and record this information on the sale slips. This will impart tremendous buyer confidence.

6. Advertise in channels that will reach new buyers. Don’ t limit advertising to breed magazines of the breed being sold. There is too much of just trading dollars— you buy in my sale, and I’ ll buy in yours.

7. Print 2,000 to 2,500 catalogues for the average sale, and use low cost fliers in addition.

8. Require that endorsed registration papers, signed breeding certificates, and health certificates be submitted upon arrival at the sale grounds.

9. Use a top auctioneer( s). Forbid by-bids and reserve bids; every animal sells. The latter imparts buyer confidence.

10. Pay consignors and transfer animals promptly.

I’ ve followed this procedure, and I know that it will work. But as one State Governor once remarked to me following election returns,“ it’ s regrettable, but true, that good government too seldom succeeds itself.”

The same thing holds true for horse auctions. Among horse sale consignors, the selfish interests of seller-dealers usually prevail over those few who would conduct a sale of the kind that I’ ve outlined. Thus, there is little likelihood of conducting two such sales in a row.

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