Kist Livestock Auction Report Mandan, North Dakota

25 October 2008

Kist Auction report- Miracle the Arabian Mare needs help

Yesterday was our monthly horse auction in Mandan ND at Kist.

There where quiet a few horses even though the numbers where down.

I only made the second half of the sale but I understand that an entire semi load of young unsold foals ended up being given to the Zoo for horse meat. I talked to one person and found out that the truck had already been loaded and gone before I got there.

We did pull a QH filly for $15 but the foals that sold as Ride foals all got good prices by Private buyers. The kill buyers weren't paying much and being very selective because of the market.

I was told that the Canadian market is so over horsed right now that they are limiting how many horses can be taken in.

One of the last horses to go into the ring was a Purebred Arabian mare, they said she was broke to ride, and I'm pretty sure they said she was 8 yrs old.

She was about 100 lbs underweight and had her tail chewed off but still quality could be seen if you looked past the bones.

I almost bought her but was trying to figure how I could pay for her and take care of her so I didn't bid. Jack ( a kill buyer) ended up getting her for $95. 

She haunted me all night in my dreams. This morning I was talking to a friend about her and when asked if I could get her from Jack I knew I had to at least try.

I called and he agreed to let me have her for what he paid $20 but I had to go remove her from the kill pen asap as the truck was almost there and after she was loaded it would be too late.

It didn't take me long to fly to Kist.

Walking down the row I glanced at the filly we bought and got a shock. Someone had put the mare in the pen with our filly.

Assuming Jack had called after I talked to him I went to thank the yard man for pulling her before the truck got there. He told me he didnt know how she got in there, he had not moved her. He added that the truck waiting to load was the one she would have been loaded onto her death ride in.

I called Jack to tell him we had her and to thank him for calling Kist and having someone move her...he said he had not called them yet but was glad that we had gotten there on time and I could send him a check to cover her price. 

I thank what ever miracle saved her life by little more then seconds, thus her new name .. Miracle. 

Now comes the hard part, I'm not used to asking people to sponsor or support these horses but I would be thankful for what ever help I can get.

Be it anything from $5 to someone offering to adopt her.

She is probably going to need about a 72-74" blanket. North Dakota winters on a thin horse isn't kind.

I can keep her awhile until things get settled and I learn more.

She is solid bay, about 15.1 or 15.2 Hands. She looks to be polish bred and has legs that just don't quit.She seems to be a sweet girl and likes attention. She stood for petting and even to have her feet checked.

Other then being thin she looks to be very healthy and will make someone a nice horse. 

Ill try to get pictures tomorrow when the wind wont blow us both away.

Thanks 

Dianna
www.keepersquest.com