BRECON HORSE FAIR APRIL 13th
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BRECON HORSE FAIR APRIL 13th 2008
On Sunday the 13th April 2008, I attended Brecon Horse fair to monitor the animal welfare with other members of Equine Market Watch. This was the first fair or auction I had ever attended and I really did not know what to expect at all. I thought it was about time I actually saw for my self what goes on at the fairs and auctions. We arrived about 10.30, already there where many horses being paraded around for sale. Overall the horses, ponies and donkeys present where in good condition. A few were under weight by my book, but not in a terrible way. The horse fair seemed on the whole a much better environment for the equines on sale, compared to being herded into an auction ring or pens. A couple of upsetting scene's where firstly a small Mule that was being ridden (if you can call it ridden) by a group of young children who where determined to make the poor Mule go as fast as possible by flapping their arms and legs around, shouting and hitting the Mule on his rump constantly. The Mule never complained once and continued to oblige for hours. The second was a Spanish cross donkey for sale. He was covered in stale bedding and muck and had been dragged out of a dirty shed or field. He stood tied to the trailer all morning looking very depressed. Upon approach we were informed he was 2 and half years old and was very quite to ride!!!!! He was for sale for £400. Being a Donkey lover and already having one at home, it was very hard to leave this Jack donkey behind. I had expected to go along to the fair and be shocked and upset by the condition of the equines. There where a few situations that did but on the whole it was not as bad as I had expected. What did shock us all was the sheer amount of young puppies and dogs for sale. There where crate after crate of puppies stacked on top of each other, all trembling together for sale. Some looked so frightened and in poor conditions. We where told these puppies where 6 - 8 weeks old, but it was clear to anyone some these where a month old maximum!Prices ranged from £40 - £225. There where Terriers, Cavalier crosses, Beagle crosses, Whippets, Staffs, Lurchers and many more breeds. It was heart retching to see these little faces and the sheer number for sale. One little puppy that really stood out was a very tiny Springer Spaniel puppy being carried around by his seller. We were informed he was 6 weeks old and his mother and some other siblings had already been sold. Upon looking at the puppy we agreed he was in fact more like 3 week old mark, still with very blue eyes and so small it was unbelievable he would grow into a Springer Spaniel. This distressed us all, after some phone calls to people we knew were seeking a Springer, we secured a permanent new home for him and managed to track the seller down, still with the puppy for sale. The tiny puppy was purchased for £50! Within minutes the same seller had the father of the pups out and for sale as well. The tiny Spaniel puppy had been given a better chance of live and we were all thrilled. He seemed quite bright despite his size, being dehydrated and full of worms. He was wrapped up in a fleece blanket, comforted and given some watered down milk, which he took very well. We pray he will continue to thrive and turn out into a beautiful dog. There were adult dogs of many and varied breeds also for sale, Most of these dogs where in fair condition but obviously terrified by the experience. A young boxer bitch exchanged hands and went form one stall to the next. She was stunning and deserved a better quality of life than this. It appears to be a disposal ground and exchange site for ex-breeding dogsWe had gone with crates hoping to rescue some poultry to bring home, unfortunately for us none where present this time around. We are sure this will not be the case at the next gathering. Equine Market Watch appeared to be he only welfare group present to our knowledge on the day. No visible RSPCA presence and no visible trading standard presence. Police were on site. I went home after a long day saddened by the sights and sounds of the day. I could not wait all my equines and dogs and give them a big hug and reminded them how lucky they are. It was an experience I will never forget. AJ Equine Market Watch Junior Committee Member
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