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| Foals for sale at Tavistock market |
This year, it was noticeable that the welfare standards at the autumn markets have considerably improved since we first started going to markets a couple of years ago. This is the first year where we haven't had to intervene (ask for ponies to be separated, or removed from sale, or write evidence reports etc) at all, and we hope that these improved standards and conditions will now be maintained.
There was a real sense of excitement at the Quantock sale, with all the foals selling to private homes and making impressive prices compared to elsewhere. Very few foals sold at all at the Dartmoor sales, and of those that did sell, very few went to private homes.
Handling at the sales could definitely be improved - there were incidences at 2 markets of petrified animals attempting to jump out of the sale ring and into the audience, but, unfortunately, the law makes little provision for rules on handling methods.
On a positive note, it's been good to see Devon Trading Standards at markets this year, in spite of their funding restrictions...and we have seen auction staff at several markets making very positive decisions about loading - turning away unsuitable vehicles, and quickly intervening when a buyer starts beating a horse (their new purchase) when it refuses to load. Also, reassuringly, we have only seen ear notches on older animals and we haven't seen any illegal ear mutilations.
The market season is a very intense time for us and I would like to thank all the p4p volunteers who have helped, and travelled hundreds of miles (thanks to our LUSH funding!), to ensure welfare standards for wild ponies at the markets this year.
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