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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