August 2021 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN August 2021 Page 21 www. EquineColicReliefUSA.com • Email: zebecash2@hotmail.com not the norm, but it is easy. When we put up a paid post, we reach millions of people in three days. This used to be word-of-mouth, now you can be at the beach and bid all day long. Auction has defi- nitely gotten more convenient.” Fulton said she’s noticed less backyard breeding as housing has replaced many four-acre family farmettes, leaving fewer horses to buy in the $500 to $1,000 range and leading to more responsible breeding overall. And as veteri- narians were considered essential during the pandemic, thorough- bred and Standardbred breeding was not affected. Donnelly said horse meat prices are so high, “instead of filling a truck, meat dealers might leave with one and they paid crazy money for it, so they are not going to make any money off it. Plus the cost of transporting them to Canada or Mexico is much higher now.” “Everyone is paying more for the bottom end horses, which then drives the prices of every- thing else up,” Fulton agreed. Keeping the Doors Open As Maryland celebrates post-pandemic horse interest, it is also still balancing continu- ing needs for assistance. “As an industry, since our activities are naturally socially distant and quarantining animals is not for- eign to us, we are more fortunate than others,” said Peddicord. “When Governor [Larry] Hogan set up 18 task forces back in March, we were asked to be in- volved to set up financial resources programs. By having an organized network, we ensured the re-opening of our licensed stables,” he said. There will always be factors that determine a horses’ value and best use, but for Donnelly it is not just price, it’s personal. “Our pasture stock includes re-sale flips and projects for my kids, and we buy two to three horses per sale.” This includes her four-year-old roan and a 10-year- old registered gelding that’s a barrel horse for her seven-year-old son. “You will still pay for color every day of the week,” she said. Since Donnelly and her part- ner, Joshua Ruby, are from Thur- mont, their focus is on making their auctions a modern phenomenon, while preserving the reputation. “Historically, every Wednesday, Eyler was the place to be.” Fulton is still adjusting. “We all know purchase price is not the most expensive part of owning horses, but if you told me ten years ago I’d be spending $4,000-$5,000 for one that we have not sat on I would have told you, you were out of your mind.” One thing that hasn’t changed? “You can match horse and rider. But you can’t buy that bond between them,” she said. For information about the statewide services and assistance provided by the Maryland Horse Board visit: www.marylandhorse. com. The next auction at Eyler is on August 21. Pandemic Sends Horse Prices Soaring (Continued from page 19)