I bid farewell to the great horse Bob yesterday. He left the sale in a trailer headed for southern Michigan and I hope that his new owner will enjoy and love him as much as I have. Sale day was total chaos with horses selling far below what they would have a couple years ago. It seems that last year I noticed a decline in the draft horse industry, maybe its linked to the slaughter legislation with horses flooding the market that would have gone for meat. I’m a realist and while I wouldn’t eat horsemeat, we as a nation have to face the fact that we do slaughter animals to eat. What’s the difference in a cow, chicken, pig, goat, lamb or a horse when its all going to a licensed slaughter house that has USDA inspectors? I know that I would much rather see a horse put down then starve or be neglected in some pasture. It’s not a popular opinion but it is a fact of rural life and people that live in cities seem to forget where that tender t-bone or cut of veal came from.
Anyway, Bob appears to be going to a good home with a family that had a good number of grandchildren. He loves to be the center of attention and is very good with kids so he will be in his element. Bob was the 7th highest selling gelding which included all breeds so I’m happy about that. He sure will be missed here.