stayceem - 2017-05-23 4:29 PM I will say though, I think meat must be up. Not nearly what the price of these horses are being sold for but I have been to a few auctions where kill buyers are spending $350-$450 a horse. Granted they get some for $50 so maybe it evens itself out or something?? It is definitely hard to buy from these pens. I am guilty of looking but I would rather buy one before they go to the killpen. But I do disagree with the poster who said kill buyers wont outbid you because I have bid against them. Older broodie in good condition and we paid $350 and he almost bid again and we would have walked.

wyoming barrel racer - 2017-05-23 4:18 PM same as a dog pound. Lots of trouble...or love to be found. Many a trusted kids horse has come out of a kill pen, but they usually are pretty crippled too and if they could talk would most likely tell you they are in a lot of pain. Kids don't always have the horse's best interest at heart too when they want to ride and have fun. I know a local lady that bought 99% of her  broodmares at the kill pen. All well bred. All ding bats that raised some half dangerous babies. Her program got quite the reputation in our town. So often even if they are young, gorgeous and well bred, they might be dangerous or have a reason for being there.

Bear - 2017-05-23 2:27 PM

It seems to me that these kill pen rescues are a growing business.
What would a horse like that bring from the killers? $350-400?
Just curious.

fatchance - 2017-05-23 10:24 PM

I am thrilled the few have found a new way to make a buck on an animal that simply needed their life ended. UNTIL we all take responsibilty for what we own and or buy, we are a big part of the problem. I remind people that horses are livestock....shocked when I get they reply they are pets.  That is the problem.  

IRunOnFaith - 2017-05-23 4:44 PM


Your $50 horses are grade studs or crippled ponies and horses. Your mares usually end up going for more. Why? Not entirely sure. I'm sure it has to do with weight. 
I've seen a "papered" 5 year old stud sell for $75 at least two or three times a sale. 

Kill buyers aren't going to pay more than $4-500 a horse. If they do then they have other ideas in mind for the horse. Some kill buyers will buy horses to resell on the side. They get in big trouble for this unless they own their own kill business. $350 for a broodmare is right around where the kill buyer wants to be. So yes, the buyer could have bid again, but he didn't. Why? Because it gets too expensive for them and they don't make any money. I think we can both agree to disagree. Saying that kill buyers won't outbid you because you paid $350 for a broodmare and the kill buyer almost bid again isn't fair. Had you been over 4 or $500 then it may be true that kill buyers will outbid private buyers. But again, kill buyers want to be under 4 or 500 depending on the weight of the horse so they can make money.

The1CowgirlsEnvy - 2017-05-23 10:49 PM

I'm not sure if that was directed at me or not, but even if it's not let me clarify.

I am in no way associated with kill buyers or these "bail" groups. I've never bought a horse out of a kill pen either. The broodmare I picked up was via private sale.

I hate these groups personally because I like others feel it's a scam and I've seen many kill buyers purposely buy a nice horse for $600+ specifically for these "bail" groups.

I just saw what could potentially be a gem in a crummy situation. It never occurred to me that someone would swap papers but I guess it happens.

And these folks selling bred broodies with jam up papers for $500. Where the heck are they because I never find good deals like that!

Southtxponygirl - 2017-05-24 9:35 AM I'm one of those bleeding hearts that's why I dont go to these sites that have Recuse horse's and dont go to the sale yards either, if I did my pastures would be full, I have picked up horses here and there in my lifetime cause people had them starving in their backyards and it drove me nuts seeing these horses.

Delta Cowgirl - 2017-05-24 8:12 AM

The kill buyers have built a lucrative side business with the bail horses -- I know of two extremely nice horses saved from the kill pen - neither was bailed -- ...one at the sale barn - he was recognized. He was a yearling world champ halter gelding. Had won the world title only a few months prior so was there in tip top show condition. Someone recognized him - they had seen him win the title. They bought him. He had a nasty cut on a rear leg that apparently his owner did not want to deal with - he went to a great home and is sound. Another is a mare a man saw on a kill truck and bought - AQHA. In the past two years he has won several world titles in roping events on her. There ARE some very nice horse making their way through the kill market - perhaps some of those do get bailed. I hope so. I also know of several breeders who became too old to handle their program or had had financial disasters or so old they were not of sound mind - family stepped in and dispersed horses via auction so many ended up in the kill pen -- some super nice broodmares and even known studs. Very sad situations. I think the kill buyers have recognized the fact some nice horses are going into their market and they are trying hard to capitalize on them -- Is it a good thing? Well, it certainly is the for the horses that do get bailed and go on to good lives.

As owners we have a responsibility to our horses. Selling on Craig's List practically assures the horse is headed to a kill buyer.. as does running one through an auction.. buy smart. Own smart. Sell smart. Personally I would rather euthanize then send through an auction if I cannot afford to keep an old one or a lame one or find a safe trust worthy home. As an older person I have made legal and financial arrangements to have my two cared for if something happens to me. My kids who are not horse people know this and know it is legally set up so it will happen. I'd rise up from my grave if my horses were not cared for properly......

Southtxponygirl - 2017-05-24 9:35 AM

I'm one of those bleeding hearts that's why I dont go to these sites that have Recuse horse's and dont go to the sale yards either, if I did my pastures would be full, I have picked up horses here and there in my lifetime cause people had them starving in their backyards and it drove me nuts seeing these horses.