Signs of the Times at the Horse Auction
Friends of mine wanted to buy a horse, so I borrowed a horse trailer and went to Sugarcreek, Ohio to a livestock auction with them. There were some sad folks there selling their horses. More than a few times, the auctioneer would say,
Young lady sells her horse due to financial situation.
“This is a good sold horse used for trail riding. The people just can’t afford to keep it anymore.”.
I don’t know much about horses. In fact, they scare the crap out of me because they’re 1500 pounds of animal with a mind of their own. I’m sure lack of knowledge is the problem here. The people here did know and love everything about horses. Equestrian pursuits are expensive, but I can see where people would fall in love with these noble beasts. Seeing these good people losing their horses was like watching someone parting with a loved one. I seen beautiful horses selling for $500.
On a less emotional level, this is where where start to see the effects of long term unemployment and a down economy hits everyone. They’ll sell the horses and no longer buy feed, riding gear and clothing, trailers and trucks to haul them, riding lessons for the kids, excursions to other places where they would buy lodging and food, and everything else that goes with the horses.
How many other worthwhile enjoyable pursuits are being foregone and the same effects further crippling the economy? Is this just an adjustment from a previous time when people were to lavish with their spending on things like this?
Here is a picture I found humorous. A pony and cart next to Amish buggies.
Pony with cart next to Amish buggies.
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